Loch side Thoughts 

As a family we have spent the last 145 days in isolation, we decided to travel up to the in-laws isolated home and have a change of scenery and walls. We have learnt so much about the boys and have seen really benefits to family life. Don’t get me wrong it’s not been all sunshine and rainbows but there have been more ups than downs. The amount we were wasting has really put a lot to the forefront of my mind and I guess played a huge part into making sure that as a business owner we make sure that anything we produce has a life cycle or second use. The in-laws house is very idyllic and I feel very fortunate that the boys have the opportunity to grow up beside a loch and have nature and water to explore. We have been having beach walks teaching the boys to pick up rubbish and help keep the beach side tidy, we have been chatting about how since lock down the waterways are regenerating, and the waste seems lower. I really hope that this continues once people get back to the new norm and that the water and oceans stay plastic and pollution free. This evening I sat perched on a rock watching the boys play in a stream and paddle in the loch, that I am thankful they have had survival lessons, that if they slipped in the water that they would have the knowledge to not panic. I find it very concerning that not all children are given the opportunity to have lessons. And even more frightening that Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) [Autistic children] are 160 times more likely to drown than their neurotypical peers.”/ Autism Swim Aus .  Both boys really exceeded our expectations in survival week. I was so anxious that H wouldn’t be regulated enough to take in the information, as it wasn’t in his swimsuit and just in his PJ’s. But seeing him sit and participate was so wonderful and a really proud moment to see him understand that he needed to learn the dangers. Out of both the boys he really does seek out the danger, he has high interests in seeing how things work, he can become consumed by understanding them so may not realise he has gone to deep!  Both boys through play have shown us that they understand what to do when they get into danger. A core value to our company is giving any child the correct support and equipment to participate and join in with lessons. Both Steph and I passionately believe that all children should learn the life lesson that is swimming even if it just to teach them to survive if they fall within a body of water. Rachael x