"Childrens Services Support Mansfield"

A year ago I was a complete shell with nobody to turn to and kept my thoughts and feelings to myself, after all, I was the one that had children so surely as their mum I was responsible solely for their health and wellbeing. Being a mum is the hardest things I've ever done, but definitely the most rewarding.

7 years ago I suffered multiple miscarriages and 2 ectopic pregnancies resulting in only having one fallopian tube. To myself and my husbands surprise we went on to have 3 children, two boys and a beautiful girl! .

I felt guilty for not knowing how to manage my 3 children aged 4 and under and then I met Kath. Kath is a support worker (or as I like to call her, god in a dress) It was obvious when I first met Kath she wanted to help and completed a family star with me and it was only then that I fully understood how much id been struggling. My husband is a work away lorry driver and my boys have additional needs.

Kath first suggested the programme and I was sceptical, id already done a 123 magic course and felt that it had failed  (probably because I thought we were a lost cause and nothing would change, I just thought my children were naughty and out of control). Kath suggested the Solihull approach and once again I nodded my head and thought, just complete the course and then you can go back to solitary and ignore everybody, little did I know without realising Kath was becoming my go to person, emotionally and physically she brought me back to life.

I was at my lowest and at my wits end trying to spin all of these plates knowing one of the boys had autistic tendencies and the other ADHD. Two very very different individuals with a number of things that worked and didn't work for them personally.

Every week Kath contacted me, spoke with me, guided me and ever so slowly put me in touch with people that could help me. I trusted her and as Kath said "give it a try what else have you got to lose by trying a different technique", she did it. I was put in touch with every single solitary person that could help myself and my family.

Months on I now have the understanding, patience, knowledge and confidence to ensure my children have a solid routine that I am in control of not the other way around. I used to brand my children, and often say "no im not trying that because one understands but the other doesn't" when actually the programme taught me that if I didn't try how do I know? I now treat the children equally within family circumstances and give them the same boundaries and praise, whilst remembering they are still individuals.

Kath was the one person in a thousand that I trust with my life. She never rushed me she let me cry, she told me every single day how amazing I was doing. She encouraged me when I saw her on courses I attended and most important she LISTENED. sometimes Kath didn't have the answers, but I can guarantee within 24 hours id have a phone call with a solution. She never forgot me, she always made me feel like we were the only family on her case load and always answered the phone.

My marriage, mental health, children's health and happiness are right up back to where we were 3 years ago. I know not everyday will be perfect, and some days I will still want to cry or feel exhausted, but as kath taught me "if you're exhausted, that means you're doing your absolute best, well done you". Thank you to Kath, the only person who managed to drag me out of my hole, and not just for the current time but going forward. The children's centre have changed our whole family dynamic for the better and for that I'm forever grateful.