Ian and I have never made a secret of the fact that being parent carers is tough at times. Don’t get us wrong, we ADORE our children and know how lucky we are to have them, but it’s not easy.
Firstly, the whole “18 summers” thing is not our reality. Archie will need our full care for his whole life and that can occasionally terrify us (although we also love that he’ll never leave home đ ). Occasionally, people will say things like “you dont know that” to which we reply “we do!”. That’s because we have fully accepted. We have traveled through all the emotional phases of acceptance, denial being the first one for us and we now see our role. A role that we are truthfully proud to play! However, we do still need the odd “Beckie and Ian time” and last weekend was just that.
This weekend, Ian and I slipped away for a much-needed break in London: a blend of work, fun, and proper âusâ time. We headed into the city for the tes SEND Show (and yes â we balanced the âeducational/professionalâ bit with the âhave fun as a coupleâ bit).
The tes SEND show 2025 – In LBDC
The tes SEND Show is one of the UKâs leading events for special educational needs and disability (SEND) â bringing together educators, parents, carers, practitioners, and suppliers to connect, learn and explore inclusive practice. It is my work version of Disneyland… I LOVE IT!!
It was held at the Business Design Centre in London and offered a rich programme: CPD-certified seminars, a âParent, Carer & Teacher Forumâ, and over 150 exhibitors showcasing resources, technologies and services aimed at supporting children & young people with SEN.
For us, it was the perfect mix of being professionally curious and personally connected: we wandered the exhibitor stands, chatted with folks and grabbed ideas. We caught up with friends we have made over the years of attendance, like the brilliant Dale Pickles, made new connections but left enough enegry for us to just be us!
London â Just Us
After the show, we carved out some proper couple time. Now dont worry, we havent gone all mushy đ We had a lovely stroll, did some sightseeing and a little bit of indulgence â and it felt so good to shift from carer mode into âIan & Beckieâ mode. It was nice to remeber all the fun things I like about my husband, it’s sometimes all too easy to forget when you are both run off your feet in the day to day!
First stop, the iconic Harrods for a browse (and maybe a little treat đ ). The grandeur of the building, the little hushed luxury corners, the food hall â all of it felt new and fun. I even got a moment on the catwalk… never thought that would happen!
We also visited the quirky and immersive Paradox Museum London: full of illusions, fun photo opportunities and just a bit silly and carefree â the perfect contrast to our professional start to the day. Interestingly though, the photo’s we took look like they are going to be used for my newest venture www.neurocreativemedia.co.uk. The fun, brightly coloured and often confusing nature of the museum seems to fit so well with me personally so, that worked out well!
We then spent time just wandering London â coffee stops, people-watching, talking about everything except âwhat needs doingâ or âwork we have to catch up with back homeâ.
It was a reminder that these rare breaks really matter. Because, being a parent carer is wonderful, but itâs also constant… and having a moment where we donât have to think primarily about caring, logistics, managing things for someone else â really gives you a reset.
When youâre a carer (especially a parent carer) youâre always âonâ. Youâre endlessly managing the needs of someone else, balancing work, support, home life, and more. Itâs meaningful work, wonderful workâ but exhausting, and the value of stepping away is huge.
It gives perspective: you realise that you are allowed to be Ian & Beckie too â not just âcarerâ or âparentâ. It restores energy. Even a short break can fill your emotional tank, help you reconnect, laugh, recharge. It strengthens your relationship time together, just for you two, reminds you of what you share beyond the caring role. It improves your well-being, for both of you. That bit of ânormal lifeâ helps you show up better in your carer/parent role too.
And yes â we came back refreshed, motivated, and glad we made the time.
So if youâre reading this and youâre thinking âwe should take a breakâ â do it. Even if youâre deeply involved in caring, even if it feels âimpossible right nowâ â the benefits are real. Taking time for you doesnât mean youâre neglecting your caring role. It means youâre sustaining it.
And if you ever get an invite or chance to attend the tes SEND Show (or something similar) â go. Combine purpose with pleasure. Learn, explore, and then let yourself off the hook to just be.
Hereâs to next years weekend escape, Ian & Beckie-style.
