I was talking to my daughter last night about how when you have no money you just switch off wanting anything and needing anything. You see other people buying stuff and it just all seems so surplus to requirement and doesn't make sense. She said that because you end up only spending money on things you need like food or travel something like a doughnut becomes a treat or a luxury. She said but then you remember your friends buy clothes, shoes, eat out, go away or get tickets to a concert as a treat-and that's normal. A doughnut is not a treat she said.

The last week felt like a bit of a reprieve only to be once again thrown back into it all. One school that is being suggested for my child who has now been out of school for over 18 months is an independent school. Whilst the cost of the education would be covered by their EHCP, the uniform, trips, meals etc will not and that concerns me. The uniform alone is £350!

In Northern Ireland at the minute there are a lot of campaigns around summer money for low income families to help with the cost of food and bills. I really hope this materialises as we have a very long summer of 8 and a half weeks each year and it nearly breaks me each time. I can’t even do things with the kids because their grammar school uniform costs so much money. It’s horrendous really when you think of it, I spend the whole summer saving for a mere uniform. Things over here regarding uniform costs have not changed. Whilst our government asked schools to lower the costs, it’s really up to the school board of governors and the principal to make that decision and some have chosen not to. That’s a shame as families really struggle with this. Due to the fact all grammar school PE kits are attached to a company or a club or a brand that immediately ups the price and I don’t think that will ever change. Due to the fact these kits can only be got in one shop means there’s no competition and they can charge whatever they want. £35 for a pair of plain navy PE shorts with an emblem on them is ridiculous. I think the government should enforce schools to change the prices and not ‘consider’ them. When you leave the school with the choice they will most likely consider what’s best financially for them and not consider what would be best for the families they are targeting.

My daughter is off for study leave soon for her A Levels and I always hide the fact I sit at home in the cold to save the heating for later when my 2 come home from school. I am going to have to make sure it is suitably warm for her to make sure her study conditions are nice and supportive. It’s just going to be a lot of money which I dread.

Easter was very tough for a lot of families. My children were off for 2 full weeks together. That’s never happened before as last year when my youngest was in primary school they only got 1 week off. Trying to keep up with food costs and gas and electric was very taxing. Also trying to entertain a child on the spectrum when the weather was so poor was another challenge. I should be saying I am glad that my children are back to school only to find out that my eldest if off on study leave soon and I want to make sure the house is well heated for her but that’s just so expensive.

Good day

Cold day indoors the whole day baby still not okay

Hi weather is nice day, is just my baby is feeling sick, just indoors

Just when I feel hopeful that the year will start improving something else happens. I've had back to back infections and flares since Xmas and the extra stress of constantly being unwell, needing to rearrange appointments over and over, getting more n more behind on housework, just makes things worse too. It's not fun. Doesn't help that I'm now scared to put my heating on cos of last month's utility bill (£150!!!), and the sudden cold after last week's brief warmth, just adds to my constant strains and makes recovery even harder

I am worried my family will be left behind as it happened with lockdowns, when the affluent families rushed to empty the shelves of the only local supermarket where I stay (rurally).

Watching the news showing a gas field in Iran bombed by Israel.. This is causing cost of fuel and food to rise.

It's very stressful to watch and worrying how costs of food and energy will impact us all.

It's international women's day today.

Do I feel special? No

Has anything changed to support me as an unpaid carer? No

Has anything changed to support me to earn more for a better quality of life? No

Has anyone recognised the unpaid work I personally do on a daily basis? No

Am I prejudiced against for claiming benefits ? Yes

Am I lonely and isolated? Yes

Do I have family support when I'm unwell? No

Does the Government think I'm worthy of an hourly wage for the caring duties I carry out? No

Hey, everyone hope you all are doing well and having a good week so far. Feeling a bit down this week due to all the constant changes in the news, sometimes it looks positive and other times not so good. Some of the issues directly impacts myself and others that impacts all us. It's difficult to navigate through this overwhelming period of constant emotional rollercoaster but trying to stay positive and hopeful. I wanted to share this and that if you or anyone else is feeling like this then you're not alone!