Last weekend we went on holiday to the most wonderful place. It’s called The Thomas Centre. It was the most relaxed 3 nights away we have had together as a family. It has 5* facilities – nothing unusual there – but it’s aimed at families or groups with autism, adhd, challenging behaviours or other complex needs. Right up our street then. And the most important thing is that it’s non-judgmental. Everyone is in the same boat so no fingers are pointed, no eyes are rolled.
We stayed in Andrew’s Lodge, a beautiful luxurious 2 bedroom detached bungalow. One of my favourite things about our stay was the patio at the back of the bungalow.
It had wonderful open views and was quiet even with my pair out there playing. I had such a feeling of peace sitting there watching my girls bounce on the trampoline and play with bubbles. We were very lucky with the weather and even managed to have our lunch outside on Sunday. Not bad in March!
Kitten and Bunny loved everything about their stay. There was so much to do that we couldn’t do everything. They had great fun exploring the play area, the woods and the play barn!
Though perhaps our very favourite thing was the swimming pool. We had private use of the pool for an hour a day. As the girls can’t cope in normal busy swimming pools we never get the chance to go swimming together as a family. What a treat to get to swim twice over the weekend and to be able to relax and play happily on our own.
One memory I will take away with me is sitting with another mum in the play barn as her younger son and Bunny both had meltdowns at the same time. We sat together, not having to explain, united by our children’s behaviours and difficulties but not judged. As one of the owners, Richard, said to me, coming to The Thomas Centre means never having to say you are sorry.
As some of you know I have been having a pretty difficult time with both the girls. And I often feel anxious about our futures. But last weekend at The Thomas Centre I felt calm, I felt peaceful, I even felt a little bit of hope.
Worth every penny and we’ll be going back again soon God willing.
3girlstogether 
Oh how I wish there was something like this in the US. How did you hear about it?
My mum found it online. So glad she did!
Sounds perfect, and just what you needed 🙂
Lovely post, made me smile inside to know you’d felt peacefulness together x
Thank you. You’re right – it was exactly what I needed x
That sounds wonderful. So pleased you had a relaxing break. Hopefully it re-energised you.
We put photos up of peaceful times all over the house, so that we can see them during the rough times and remember what family life can look like. I would definitely put photos up of your weekend away. Right above the place most meltdowns occur.
So glad you got that time of respite together as a family – it sounds absolutely idyllic.
Idyliic is the perfect description. I want to go back NOW!
What a lovely place! Well done for sorting it out and getting some space in your head!
Fantastic to hear of good respite…warms the heart x
What a great place it looks.
We have had the joy of staying at the Thomas Centre quite a few times… It’s wonderful and the not having to explain is such a bonus, probably one of the few places we have been on holiday and I haven’t come back even more stressed than when I left.
Have been there twice now (we were there just last week!!) Our autistic 4 year old son loves it there and so do we. Highly recommended!!