Finding the Funny Side: Life, Autism, and Frugal Living

 

Parenting Kai, my amazing son with autism, has been a journey full of surprises — some challenging, some hilarious, and many deeply heartwarming. I want to share a story that always makes me smile, even though ice cream can be expensive!

Once, we bought Kai an ice cream from the ice cream van. The man asked if he wanted chocolate sauce on top. Kai said yes, expecting it on the side — but when the chocolate was poured over, Kai’s reaction was priceless. He looked at it and said, “Dirty!” and threw it away! Most kids would dive in with joy, but Kai’s different preferences remind me how unique he is. I had to buy him another ice cream, of course. Some parents might’ve just said no, but I know it’s not Kai’s fault — it’s just how he experiences the world.

Growing up, I was often treated differently for being ‘different’ myself, and I never wanted Kai to feel that way. I’ll share more about what it was like growing up in the 80s and 90s with my own challenges in future posts.

On a different note, living frugally with a son who has autism can be tough, but it’s been a rewarding challenge. We recently started using Olio — an amazing UK app for sharing food and other items to reduce waste. You can find everything from free food (collected from shops like Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and even KFC!) to TVs and DVDs. When we first started, Kai was a bit more fussy — he hated mess and thought second-hand things were dirty. That made Olio a bit tricky at first, but we’re getting there.

Living on one income meant saving money was important, but for us, it’s not just about money. We want to live sustainably and reduce waste. It’s heartbreaking to see how much good stuff ends up in landfill.

In this blog, I’ll share not just parenting stories, but also thoughts on frugal living, food waste, and what it’s really like raising a child with learning difficulties. Every parent’s journey is unique — full of good days, bad days, and those “just meh” days.

I hope to keep it honest, heartfelt, and even a little humorous — because sometimes laughter really is the best way through.

Thanks for joining me on this adventure.




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