Michelle Tant

It's been a (shameful) while since I wrote about one of the topics close to my heart (literally) and the truth is I've probably been too caught up in my midwifery training to focus on it however this story led me to lift my head above the parapet of books on my table and say "What the...?" Breastfeeding mandatory for two years in United Arab Emirates http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/07/uae-law-mothers-breastfeed-first-two-years The UAE has passed a law making it compulsory for mothers to breastfeed their children until they are two years old, the justification being it is the child's human right to receive breastmilk. If mothers are actually unable to breastfeed then a wet nurse is to be provided. The law doesn't state what are acceptable reasons to not breastfeed however. Also offices are being made to provide nurseries so that mothers can breastfeed while at work. Implications of the law mean that husbands are therefore able to sue their wives...

Preacher tonight said there are people who feel far away but God is honouring the fact you haven't let go. "When Satan tempts me to despair And tells me of the guilt within Upward I look and see Him there Who made an end to all my sin Because the sinless Saviour died My sinful soul is counted free For God the just is satisfied To look on Him and pardon me" (Before The Throne Of God Above lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc)

This week my lovely boy was diagnosed with autism. Or is that diagnosed autistic? See how new I am to this? I feel like my head is swimming so I'm writing in the hope that writing, as it usually does, helps give me the clarity and steadiness to my thoughts that I need. Because if I'm absolutely honest, I feel a bit blindsided . It doesn't matter that in fact we have wondered over the years if he might be 'on the spectrum', we have even gone as far at times to say that yes, he has autistic traits but he IS autistic? Turns out it's more surprising than expected. We went to his paediatric review with no other expectations than to get the incontinence nurse chased up and perhaps the suggestion of some more blood tests to investigate the reason he presents with sensory processing difficulties, speech and language disorders and learning difficulties. The Dr greeted us with the observation that it seems that the only avenue left unexplored at the moment is the a...

If you have been reading my ramblings for any amount of time then you know that I really can witter on. More recently my writing has been restricted to university essays so I don't write here as much as I would like to but I was inspired of late to come on here and have a bit of a muse. The thing is, is I come from a long line of witterers, or as I prefer to call us (sounds kinder somehow), storytellers. It's highly likely to be the Irish in me though and I know this apple didn't fall far from the tree that is my Dad. For as long as I can remember, family gatherings have always, and I do mean always, ended with us sat around a table or cuddled on sofas, telling stories of 'The Family'. Some of them I've noticed have evolved over the years, possibly embellished, possibly just added to as more of us have added dimensions to the story. New stories have crept in and I noticed with pleasure that a couple have crept in which involve my husband (of 11.5 years!) so ...

I came on today to have a look at last years new years resolutions (in the vague and vain hope that I kept some?!) and it appears that I wrote none! Well none on here anyway so I shall attempt to cobble some together now. A little news first though - we received the final statement for our lovely boy and the recommendation is that he have fulltime help at school which is brilliant and exactly what he needs. I spoke to his INA and she is prepared to up her hours to accomodate him so I am so happy. A great way to end the year! The good thing about having neglected to write NYRs last year is that I hopefully haven't broken any I may have had in mind? I thought though that I would start with a quick 'Thankful List' from this past year. In no particular order (I'm thankful for all of them!) - My Thankful List 1) My son starting school and successfully getting the statement he needs 2) Getting into uni to study midwifery and loving every second so far 3) Husband getti...

Well it really has been a while since I last blogged here. A couple of reasons really... Twitter being a bit of a culprit but hey ho. You can find me on there by the way if you like. I have imaginatively called myself @michelletant LOL The other reasons include my all consuming midwifery course. I kid you not, it has the potential to completely take over your life. Plus of course my family. So I am here today for an update of sorts. You may have read my post about my son with (amoung other things) sensory processing disorder ( http://michelletant.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/supermarket-meltdowns.html  ) and we have been going through the statementing process with him. What that means it that we applied for a 'Statement of Additional Needs'. You have to apply through the county and it has to sort of be done on your behalf by the agencies involved with the child. So in our case it was the Speech and Language Therapist, the Occupational Therapist, the Educational Pyschologiest, t...

You weren't like other children, And God was well aware, You'd need a caring family, With love enough to share. And so He sent you to us, And much to our surprise, You haven't been a challenge, But a blessing in disguise. Your winning smiles and laughter, The pleasures you impart, Far outweigh your special needs, And melt the coldest heart. We're proud that we've been chosen, To help you learn and grow, The joy that you have brought us, Is more than you can know. A precious gift from Heaven, A treasure from above, A child who's taught us many things, But most of all "Real Love"   Author Unknown