In this episode, Debs, Emma, and Gemma discuss the joys and challenges of celebrating Christmas as parent carers. From non-traditional Christmas dinners and quiet spaces to managing expectations and finding humour in the chaos, this episode is packed with relatable moments and practical tips. Tune in for heartwarming stories, laugh-out-loud anecdotes, and a reminder that there’s no "right" way to do Christmas—just your way.

Episode Highlights:

• Why Christmas traditions don’t always fit when you have kids with SEND.
• Real talk about managing family expectations (and the importance of chicken nuggets and ketchup).
• Tips for bouncing back when the holiday chaos strikes.
• The beauty of creating your own Christmas traditions.
• Reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas and cherishing time with loved ones.
• The ultimate advice: forget perfection—just focus on what makes your family happy.

Links and Resources:

• 🎄 Free Christmas Download!: A SEND Christmas Countdown Guide packed with tips, checklists, and practical tools to help you stay organised and stress-free this holiday season.
• 🎶 12 Days of SEND Christmas: Stay tuned for a special re-release of our festive classic!

Get Involved:

We’d love to hear your top Christmas tips! Join the conversation in our Facebook group.  Share what works for your family, and let’s support each other through the holiday season.

In this episode, Debs, Gemma, and Emma dig into the challenges and tips for working with schools as SEND parent carers, especially as a new school year begins. They share practical advice on maintaining clear communication, documenting important conversations, and building positive relationships with teachers and support staff. Debs highlights the importance of keeping a written record of all agreements to ensure there’s a “paper chain” in case of misunderstandings. Emma and Gemma discuss how the Notes app and school apps have been lifesavers for keeping track of dates, appointments, and messages.

The group also tackles the perception of parent carers as “complainers” and the importance of celebrating when things go right. They emphasise the power of acknowledging teachers’ hard work and fostering a two-way understanding—recognising that teachers face pressures too. Towards the end, the trio reflects on the nationwide challenges for SEND kids, including attendance struggles and the lack of inclusive education options, stressing that if schools “get it right for SEND, they get it right for everyone.”

Key Tips from the Episode:

• Always document verbal agreements with teachers in a follow-up email
• Build open, respectful relationships with school staff for better support
• Use tech tools like Notes and school apps for organisation and communication
• Recognise and appreciate teachers’ positive impact on your child

Tune in for valuable insights, real talk, and a bit of banter as they gear up for the school year!

In this episode, Debs, Emma, and Gemma dive deep into the labels, assumptions, and misunderstandings that parent carers face. From being branded “difficult” or “hard to reach” by professionals to dealing with the outdated perceptions of some politicians, the trio doesn’t hold back on discussing the emotional toll and resilience required to navigate these stereotypes. Emma shares how she and her co-campaigner were dismissed as “bored housewives” by an MP, while Gemma talks about the unfair assumptions people make about parent carers “just sitting at home” rather than working.

The hosts also address the overwhelming administration involved in managing their children’s needs—managing appointments, advocating in schools, and staying on top of ever-changing local support options. They dig into the absurdities of “travel training” and the often outdated local offers for services. Their takeaway? Don’t let labels define you. Embrace who you are as a parent carer, even if it means earning a “Rottweiler” badge, as Debs has done with pride.

Throughout, they offer practical advice to new parent carers: let others’ judgments go, focus on what truly matters, and maybe even write a few unsent letters in a journal to clear your mind.

Topics covered:

• Mislabelling and assumptions by professionals and politicians
• The heavy load of admin work involved in caring for SEND children
• Coping strategies for parent carers facing judgment
• Advocacy, resilience, and finding humour in the chaos

Tune in for a raw, real, and empowering chat that every SEND parent carer will find familiar!

In this episode of SEND Shenanigans, we explore the hurdles parent carers face in the world of employment. Whether juggling a job, navigating self-employment, or dealing with the complexities of Carer's Allowance, the struggle is real. Tune in as we discuss the challenges, share our stories, and provide tips on balancing work and caring responsibilities. It's time to shed light on the resilience and creativity required to make it all work.

Link to SPACE

FB - https://www.facebook.com/groups/la.space

Website - space

In this episode of SEND Shenanigans, we dive into the complex emotions of parent carer grief and guilt. From questioning if we caused our child's disability to the heartbreak of not securing essential services, and even the guilt of being too ill to engage in social activities – we cover it all. Join us as we share personal stories, offer support, and remind each other that we're doing our best, even when it feels like it's never enough.

In this week’s episode, Gemma and Debs chat abut the challenges of inclusive events in the school holidays. 

Gemma shares how she contacted several venues to put on SEN events last year and ended up with 3-4 events a week to choose from. Debs shares how she and friends came together to organise a large, inclusive live music festival in Kent. Sharing what worked for them, what the challenges are and how they address those challenges.

Links mentioned in the podcast

Gemma’s template letter

https://lifeaspland.com/kintoa-magazine/

Festability

http://festability.co.uk

Feeling abandoned post-diagnosis is a sentiment all too familiar for many SEND parents, and that's exactly what Debs, Gemma, and Emma are tackling in this heartfelt episode of Send Shenanigans.

"Diagnosed Then Dumped" delves into the complex emotions and challenges that come after receiving a diagnosis for your child, when the initial flurry of appointments and attention gives way to an overwhelming silence.

Our hosts share personal experiences and stories from the Send Shenanigans community, shedding light on the struggle to navigate services, support, and everyday life without a clear path forward. This episode is a raw, real talk about the gaps in the system, the resilience of parents, and the ways we can support each other through the feeling of being left to fend for ourselves.

If you've ever felt like you were given a diagnosis and then left in the lurch, this episode is for you. It's a conversation about finding strength, building networks, and laughing in the face of adversity – because together, we're unstoppable.

Tune in to "Diagnosed Then Dumped" for a dose of reality, support, and community. Remember, you're not alone on this journey, and with Send Shenanigans, you've got friends who get it, every step of the way.

Debs, Gemma, and Emma dive headfirst into the ocean of comments that SEND parents hear on the reg. From the cringeworthy "Only special people get special children" to the well-meaning but exhausting "I don't know how you do it," we're unpacking the good, the bad, and the downright laughable things that people say.

Join us as we share our own experiences and those from our vibrant SEND Shenanigans community, exploring why these comments are made and the impact they have on us, the parent carers. We're not just venting (okay, maybe a little); we're also dissecting the intentions behind the words and offering our take on what people could say instead.

So, whether you've been on the receiving end of these comments or you're just curious about the world of SEND parenting, this episode is for you. Grab your favourite beverage, get comfy, and let's get real about "The Things People Say." It's time for some laughs, some nods of agreement, and maybe even a few eye rolls. Because if we can't laugh at the madness, then what can we do?

Tune in, share your thoughts with us on the Send Shenanigans Facebook group, and let's navigate this wild ride together.

Meet your hosts and find out what to expect in SEND Shenanigans.

Wear headphones if children are in the room.