Couple of weeks ago we got Reilly was invited to one of his classmates party, Harry.  This is the first party we’ve actually been able to attend. He’s clocked up a massive 3 invites in his 5.5 years so we were excited and a bit nervous.

Reilly completely understood all of the conversation we had while getting ready, no red wellies aren’t ok for a ball pit. No we don’t take our own juice etc etc.  He understood he was going to a party and was really happy!!  Organised as ever we called at Tesco on the way there for a gift bag then the realisation hit me he was going to have to give a present to someone else and I expected the worst, how on earth was Reilly going to hand over a present.  He loves them, he opens everybody’s at christmas and then some.  Needn’t have worried he navigated Tesco’s like a pro, bent my bank card ramming it in the machine at the till and left kinder egg in hand.  Like a boss.

Party was at The Harvester at North Shields.  It has a separate play area which is pretty huge and the staff were lovely.  Not sure that people really comprehend how much pressure it puts on you as a parent to take your child to these places, children who are prone to meltdowns, stripping off, sensitive to noises and textures; so when we can all flock together its brilliant.  Mess with one, mess with us all.

The only parents we knew were Gary & Sarah who thankfully sing from the same sheet as us and see the humour in most of the shenanigans that accompanies autism and we did have a mini put the world to rights while watching the puzzled looks of neurotypical children trying their best to engage with the kids to be met with stoney silence.  We don’t see other the other parents at school.  Theres no school yard gossip for us, our treasures are transported so it was lovely to see some new faces and exchange some of them knowing, non-judgemental looks when the inevitable happens.

I spent quite a while talking to one of the young barmaids at the end of the bar where Reilly took up residence for about half of the party, right alongside the fruit machines, he loves them.  Every button gets pressed.  She was a bit smitten with our Reilly, heartbreaker of the future apparently.

All in all he did so well and I’m really proud of him.  Only one lying on the floor incident which was quickly brushed off.  He ate 3 chips, I ate about 50, he put his coat on and that was our queue.  Time to leave. He did it, we did it and it wasn’t even painful.

Harrys party was a huge success. The question is should I brave one for Reilly in July?

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