As a single, mum of five, I know that I don’t need to panic over every tiny sniffle, scraped knee or temper tantrum. But everything I thought I knew about motherhood has been tested in the last few years after my son, Ellis, fell ill. What started as a screaming match here and there turned into something so much more severe, traumatising our family for months.
After starting school at the age of five, Ellis settled in quickly. I felt so proud every time his teachers told me how polite and kind he was. He loved maths and was gifted at sports too, football being his favourite. But towards the summer of his first year, he got poorly with tonsillitis.
He struggled to speak and had swollen glands. When one round of antibiotics didn’t clear it, the doctor prescribed another course, and then another.
Living with a monster
By the school holidays that year, Ellis seemed to be feeling better. But soon, his behaviour started to change. At first it was just small things – he hated being told no. But soon even just telling him it was bedtime would leave him screaming. Ellis’ meltdowns kept happening. He’d have several a day, and trying to reason with him didn’t help. It was as though in the space of a few weeks, my kind and helpful little boy had disappeared.
Over the next six months, as Ellis became more unrecognisable, it was like living with a monster. One evening, as I was picking the kids up from school, Ellis began screaming for no reason. He threw his shoes at me, and punched and kicked his youngest sister, two, who was sat next to him. I drove to the police station and parked outside, and told him he’d be told off for his behaviour but he still didn’t listen, yelling at the top of his voice.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
EAT WELL (even on a budget) - Easy meals that make the most of your store cupboard, and won't break the bank
Courgette and pesto pasta
The CATCH
The house was perfect - so why was it so cheap?
Elizabeth and THE RAIN
She had made Lisa's life a misery- and now she was back
I won't stop taking my daughter out of school... - TO GO TO THE BEACH!
One mum tells us why fun, spontaneous days are sometimes more important than being in the classroom
Where's the JUSTICE?
Catherine Wardle's son died over a senseless Snapchat spat
Fat-shamed BY MY MUM
Gemma Hall, 28, showed off her snaps and got a dose of tough love
Fighting for SURVIVAL
When Danielle Camilleri collapsed at 40, the diagnosis was devastating
Finding love AFTER LOSS
As Kelsey Parker moves on after losing her husband Tom, we investigate how difficult it is to find love again in widowhood
Phil's revenge
Phillip Schofield is back on our screens after a 16-month hiatus and it seems it's all-out war between the former presenter and ITV.
'I'm too scared TO HAVE SURGERY'
Christine Lampard on gratitude, staying in shape and date nights with husband Frank.