I used to think quiet meant calm. Then I began noticing how quickly my neurodivergent child fills a pause with a word, a noise or a sudden question. Sometimes there seems to be real urgency behind it. In this personal reflection, I explore what silence might feel like for them, alongside the realities of kinship care, Special Guardianship and my own need for a moment to think.

Sleep is often viewed as a simple matter of tiredness, but for many neurodivergent children and those who have experienced trauma, it is far more complex. Sensory needs, feelings of safety, predictable routines, and emotional regulation can all play a significant role in helping a child settle and rest. In this article, I share the bedtime strategies our family has discovered through trial and error, and why creating a calm, secure environment before sleep can make all the difference.

Living with chronic illness changes so much more than just your body.

That sounds obvious, I know, but it is something I do not think people fully understand unless they are living it. When your body stops moving the way it used to, when pain becomes part of the background noise of your day, and when medication starts solving one problem while creating another, it can really affect how you feel about yourself.