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Life As-Pland
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Hello!
I'm Debs, and you've found my little corner of the internet
I am a happily married mum of three.
Our house is home to me, my husband, three children and a huge variety of special educational needs and disabilities (ranging from severe visual impairment to autism, from speech and communication issues to dyspraxia and from osteoarthritis to vertigo). It's also home to one very nutty dog who fits in perfectly.
Having children with SEND has definitely given me a huge bag of tools to help me get back up, time and time again. Tools to help me keep the plates spinning and tools to help me know when I need to focus on self care.
I try to keep it real, I don't pretend I have the perfect Instagrammable home life, work/life balance or eating habits. Like you, I have good days and bad days.
Days when motivation comes easily and days when just getting out of bed is an achievement.
Days when anyone could pop round and I would be delighted to see them, and others when my house is in need of a bit of attention so unexpected drop ins leave me feeling overwhelmed.
Life isn't perfect for anyone but I can help you find that balance so the bad days don't outweigh the good ones.
Life is never ever dull!
I hope you enjoy reading my pearls of wisdom, please
feel free to leave your comments and thoughts.
Debs x
Happy Clients Have Said...
Latest Pearls of Wisdom
A moment in Merthyr
It’s been a rough few years and holidays have been something we have only been able to dream about. We decided to put off an overseas holiday as we are definitely the people who would end up having to isolate or getting stuck somewhere. That may sound …
Putting it off – making an easy job a challenge
Why do we do it? We have these jobs we know we need to do but we keep putting them off. By doing this, we make the job appear even more difficult than it is. We give it a power and then even more amazingly, we start to believe the hype we have created.
Recent Pearls of Wisdom
Self care: Me too not Me First,
Self care isn’t about making you the number one priority and ignoring the needs of everyone around you. Self care means “me too”.
Eat the ugly Frog first
If we eat the frog, (ie get that awful job done out of the way), then the rest of the day has got to be a breeze but what if you have more than one frog item on your list?
Review – Teen Calm Box
The aim of Teen Calm is to help young adults develop a routine that builds self-regulation skills so they can cope with those annoying doubts and insecurities
To Do List, Planning and Scheduling
“a plan Is what, a schedule is when. It takes both to get things done” Pubilius Syrus Lists Are you a list writer? Do you have lists everywhere? Or maybe even lists organised in one lovely book – yes I’m talking about you – or maybe you have amazing mind maps that you’ve spent hours …
Incomplete Compassion
Compassion – a strong feeling of sympathy and sadness for the suffering or bad luck of others and a wish to help them” Cambridge English Dictionary Everyone, with the exception of perhaps some psychopaths, has the ability to feel compassion towards others. Studies have shown that some psychopaths have the ability to feel compassion but …
Focus, focus, focus
If you are anything like me, you are possibly involved in several projects. Maybe you’re not involved in lots of projects, but you are trying to juggle work, home, me-time, keeping fit, being a mum/dad, and somehow trying to find time to write that book or redecorate that room. or learn a new skill I …
Failure, then success
Fear of Failure Why are we so afraid of failure? Failure means different things to different people; due to our upbringing, beliefs, values and obviously the standards we set for ourselves. Failure for one person may not be a failure for someone else. First of all, you need to really be clear about what failure …
Do what you can
Start where you are Do you put things off because you are thinking of the end result too much and it seems so far away? Want to run a marathon? Want to lose a few stone? Want to start a podcast? Want to change career? You know what you have to do, don’t you? Start! …
Swim or sink - it’s the choice we all face sometimes daily. When people say “I don’t know how you do it”, my gut usually tells me that they would do exactly the same if they had to.
Life in the SEND system is challenging.
Sometimes we float for a while.
Sometimes we tread water.
Sometimes it takes everything we have to kick ourselves back up above water.
Sometimes we need someone to help us stay afloat
Sometimes we clutch someone or something we think is a float but it starts to pull us under.
Sometimes we hold others up
Sometimes we feel as if we’re swimming against a never ending tide
Throughout it all, we know the only choice we have is to keep swimming. Sometimes, we need reminding that we’re capable of that.
This sticker is part of a whole series available soon over on lifeaspland.com
Always nice to hear how your planners are making a difference.
This was a lovely comment to receive this morning.
PD - Facebook post saying “They are going to be so so so so so so useful going forward! 😍”
Variety of planners for #parentcarers are available over on lifeaspland.com (or link in bio) with new products being launched this week.
#specialneedsfamily #specialneedsparenting #planners #gettingorganised #moremetime
Comment on Facebook Always nice to hear ...
And I’m also just thinking about the medical journal we spoke about. X
I love this quote, it is printed on my office wall and I also have it stuck into every notebook I use.
“The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly”
This had to be one of my stickers. On sale soon over at lifeaspland.com
Another popular sticker from the collection.
Same sh*t Different day.
Something I think many of us relate to. It can feel like Groundhog Day in the SEND system. Same sh*t, different department! Same sh*t, different policy. The list is endless.
#specialneedsparenting #parentcarer #parentcarerlife #sameshitdifferentday #groundhogday
PD Pile of poop emoji style with “same sh*t different day” written in the centre.
Comment on Facebook Another popular ...
I love this one is it a car sticker too lol
This sticker is the one everyone is asking for. I am hopeful to have these live on the site to buy by the end of the week, but you can message me if you want to be notified when it goes on sale.
As a mum to three children involved in the joyous SEND system, this is one of the things that really frustrates me. “How’s Mum?” “And what about Mum?” “What does Mum think?”
I am not your Mum.
It costs absolutely nothing to change it; it’s such an easy win for everyone. If you’re a practitioner, and you know you have done this, then make it your new rule. Don’t call the parent “Mum” or “Dad”.
#dontcallmemum #specialneedsparenting #specialneedsmum #autism #specialeducationalneeds #parentcarers #mynameisnotmum
Comment on Facebook This sticker is the ...
I want stickers to give to every nurse I teach to remind them !
Pin badges would be amazing! And polypocket display books - for SEND paperwork to take to meetings
I love this! I need a metal pin badge 😂 or a tote bag 😂😂 or maybe a big necklace 😂😂😂 Or all 3 😂😂😂😂
Ooh, Helen Laverty had My Name is… badges too x
Ordering ✅
Arusha Jenks
Making stickers for parent carers. Really love some of the comments and phrases I’ve had suggested and the fun thing is you just know I won’t hold back from including profanities or saying it as it is.
This is one of the “cleaner” options and I’ve already had people message to pre-order when they go on sale.
I’m still trying to sort out postage on woocommerce but as soon as it’s sorted, these (and more) will be on the site. Watch this space - or message me if you want to hear when they are available
#parentcarers #parentcarer #expertbyexperience #specialneedsmom #specialneedsparenting #autismparents
Making stickers for parent carers. Really love some of the comments and phrases I’ve had suggested and the fun thing is you just know I won’t hold back from including profanities or saying it as it is.
This is one of the “cleaner” options and I’ve already had people message to pre-order when they go on sale.
I’m still trying to sort out postage on woocommerce but as soon as it’s sorted, these (and more) will be on the site. Watch this space - or message me if you want to hear when they are available
#parentcarers #parentcarer #expertbyexperience #specialneedsmom #specialneedsparenting #autismparents
Comment on Facebook Making stickers for ...
How about - not just the sibling
Scooping your boobs 🤣🤣🤣
This content isn't available at the moment
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people or changed who can see it, or it's been deleted.I love a gadget. Santa very kindly brought this bit of kit for me and I’ve been like the proverbial pig in 💩since
After living on YouTube for a few days, I have managed to work out how to design, print and cut sticker sheets. The excitement when I finally achieved this was a sight to behold.
I’m now working on a whole new range of stickers and other products for the site so watch this space because you will love these.
Everyone has returned to school and/or work today. The poor dog has spent most of the day just looking at the door, waiting for them to come home. He’s a real pack animal and hates it when we’re not all together with him.
My husband and the kids will be greeted as if they’ve been on a world tour for 8 months rather than out for 8 hours .
#dogsofinstagram #packanimal #heloveshispack #schoolisback
Comment on Facebook Everyone has ...
Bless him. We forget everything affects them too.
They’ll be home soon Bertie xx
Aww so cute bless him xx
Awwwww sweet Bertie x
Aww bless x
Most Popular Pearls of Wisdom
Incomplete Compassion Friday, 5th June 2020 If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incompleteJack Kornfield Compassion - a strong feeling of sympathy and sadness for the suffering or bad luck of others and a wish to help them"Cambridge English Dictionary Everyone, with the exception of perhaps some psychopaths, has the ability to feel compassion towards others. Studies have shown… (248)- The Happy Diary Monday, 25th September 2017 It only takes 5 days and is not a diary you complete every evening, forever. You just do this for 5 days and then when you need a boost, you do it again. (204)
- Failure, then success Monday, 1st June 2020 Fear of Failure Why are we so afraid of failure? Failure means different things to different people; due to our upbringing, beliefs, values and obviously the standards we set for ourselves. Failure for one person may not be a failure for someone else. First of all, you need to really be clear about what failure… (179)
- Me, My Notebook and I Friday, 9th October 2015 Making the bullet journal wok for me. Me, my notebook and I. (171)
- Visualising Success Monday, 19th February 2018 When I first heard about Vision Boards (aka Dream boards), I thought “oh that’s nice but I don’t have magazines and glue sticks lying around and I have no intention of buying them”. I moved on. (170)
Most Popular Posts
- Incomplete Compassion Friday, 5th June 2020 If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incompleteJack Kornfield Compassion - a strong feeling of sympathy and sadness for the suffering or bad luck of others and a wish to help them"Cambridge English Dictionary Everyone, with the exception of perhaps some psychopaths, has the ability to feel compassion towards others. Studies have shown… (248)
- The Happy Diary Monday, 25th September 2017 It only takes 5 days and is not a diary you complete every evening, forever. You just do this for 5 days and then when you need a boost, you do it again. (204)
- Failure, then success Monday, 1st June 2020 Fear of Failure Why are we so afraid of failure? Failure means different things to different people; due to our upbringing, beliefs, values and obviously the standards we set for ourselves. Failure for one person may not be a failure for someone else. First of all, you need to really be clear about what failure… (179)
- Me, My Notebook and I Friday, 9th October 2015 Making the bullet journal wok for me. Me, my notebook and I. (171)
- Visualising Success Monday, 19th February 2018 When I first heard about Vision Boards (aka Dream boards), I thought “oh that’s nice but I don’t have magazines and glue sticks lying around and I have no intention of buying them”. I moved on. (170)
