Travels to Malaysia

Hi Everyone

This entry is dedicated to Laraine who has patiently waited for this blog to be updated.
Thank you for your patience.
Travelling to Malaysia with the family can be stressful at the best of times, however even more so when one of the kids has ADHD. The preperation beforehand was the same as preparing for a military invasion and included thinking of every scenario possible.
So here goes sharing my travel tips and things that I found really useful.

Tip 1 If your ADHD child is on ritalin and you are planning on leaving the U.K for a long holiday, check that the medication you are taking out does not exceed 900mg. If it does, you will need a certificate from the home office. If you download a copy from the internet www.homeoffice.com and follow the instructions, which are pretty foolproof. Remember to be safe you need to allow at least two weeks for this. Why all this fuss? well ritalin is a controlled drug and the last thing you want is to end up in some prison cell because no one believes your not planning to sell it on arrival.

Tip 2 Take a night flight/cruise or train journey, our kids do tend to be more quieter late at night, generally and this is always the hope they may sleep for a short while.

Tip 3 If you can afford it, book the lounge at the airport while waiting for your flight, the calming effect of leather sofas, tranquil music and the availability of free snacks and drinks can have a wonderful effect on your hyper child. The distractions and noise at the airport can be an absolute nightmare. For a family of five it cost around ninety pounds, which we all agreed was worth every penny.

Tip 4 Request seats with legroom if possible, that may mean getting to the airport early, this again makes the lounge such good value. Preferably have another family member in front so that if they constantly kick the seat, its only someone who's used to it going to be driven mad and not some unsuspecting passenger hoping for a peaceful flight.


So why visit Malaysia.

Personally for me, I have a sister Sharon and her husband Abu who live out there. It was important for us to make the journey and experience their life as well as visit a very special country which I can only describe as one of the most beautiful places on earth. (the shops are pretty good too).
I have spent a few hours attending her creative writing course for beginners and am really taken with the nuturing and care that each of her students receive. It allowed me to reflect on what we try and offer on our 'Living with ADHD course" in that we need to work with people at the place that they are at and not dictate and criticise. It was wonderful living proof that we all need to develop ourselves and feel that we are doing a good job with the knowledge that we have, be it writing a story or listening to our child.

What works for my son Alex out here, firstly the food, available 24hrs a day, all his favourites ands so cheap he can eat to his hearts content. A meal out followed by a take away to keep him going through the night would be a rare treat in the U.K, here it costs pennies.
A climate that encourages sleep in the day and play at night, also works and an uncle who loves rugby and English football.

See you all another day with more stories to make you jealous.

Therese