Goodbye Harley

A very sad week.

Our beautiful cat Harley passed away and we all miss her very much. She had lived until the grand old age of 17. Her kidneys gave out in the end and it was felt best that she was put too sleep. I was with her and held her paw as she slowly and gently passed away. The house is just not the same since she died.

It has affected my boy rather badly as he was so very attached to her. They adored each other. They had such a close bond. He has never known a time without her. I knew he wouldn't take it well and was not surprised when the sleep pattern went out the window and he refused his lessons. He is so full of anger at the moment. But as we all know, this is part of the grieving process and he has to be allowed to grieve in his own way. I think he will need a while to get over this.

The only good thing is that, as a set back in his education, at least it is at the beginning of his school year. If this had happened after he had made a really huge amount of progress I think it would have been harder to regain the lost ground. We can hopefully now put this behind us and start moving forward again.

Rest In Peace Harley 1992 - 2009

Sleep....... Please and a New Term

The sleep issue went from bad to worse until my boy was awake all night and not getting up til 3pm in the afternoon. I was feeling permanently exhausted. Desperate times called for desperate measures, especially as the new term was looming. I couldn't get him to sleep any earlier as that is one of his problems, his body doesn't make enough melatonin to get his ready for sleep. Trying to wake him up earlier was a no go as well, it just doesn't work. The only option was left was to keep him awake for longer and push his sleep round that way.


I kept him awake til 10 am the first day with sleep until 6pm.
The next day he was awake til 1.30pm with sleep until 8.30pm.
Then it was 4pm with sleep til 9.30pm.
Then for a finale he stayed awake til 7pm and slept right round til 7.30 am as he was so exhausted.

As for me, well I now know what jet lag feels like!

New term started today and I was a bit worried as to how it would go. I needn't have stressed over it as he settled into his lesson like a dream. I think he's missed the routine of it, although he wouldn't admit it if asked. I just hope that things stay this way. Also the new routine of getting up early and actually having three meals a day has cut down on his snacking on rubbish. He was a pleasure to be around today, he helped to make cakes and even carried my shopping in from the car. I am so proud of all he has achieved today and have told him so. He really enjoyed the praise and I hope this helps to raise his confidence.

Things seem to be on the up at last.