Paddy McGuinness and his wife Christine have 'finally conquered' a family holiday and want other parents with autistic parents to try it for themselves.
Planning a big family dinner, let alone a holiday, can be a tricky task to manage when you've got young children. For Paddy and Christine the idea of a family vacation felt even harder given that their four-year-old twins are autistic.
However, over the bank holiday weekend the couple revealed that they've managed it. They went away with their twins and one-year-old Felicity and shared their happy news on social media.
Feeling triumphant, Paddy posted on Instagram and encouraged other parents to take the leap and try it for themselves.
Paddy wrote: 'Being parents with autistic children, for us, family holidays have been a pipe dream until now! After 4 and a half years we’ve finally conquered a family holiday...to Preston!!!'
The father-of-three explained: 'Ribby Hall Village to be exact. We managed two days there, which for us was massive. We had to take so much stuff but to see our kids having fun was well worth it.'
The pictures showed a car jam-packed with quilts, buggies, suitcases and even a mattress.
Paddy continued: 'We had our own little bungalow/chalet which was great. If you’re a parent dealing with autism on a daily basis please don’t give up hope on things like holidays. It was a hell of a long time getting there but we did it. Now all I need to do is sleep for a week!!! #easterholidays #autism #autismawareness#familyholiday #knackered'.
Christine also posted a selfie of the couple captioned: 'We did it!!! @mcguinness.paddy our first ever night away WITH the children!. They coped so well with the change, very proud parents today ❤️ #autismawareness Now we just need our first night away without the children 😜'.
People were quick to praise the couple and thank them for raising awareness. One person wrote: 'My nephew is autistic .. what I wouldn't give to see my sister take him away for a family holiday . Thanks for giving us hope'.
Another added: 'Oh my goodness, how amazing. I have so much admiration for people like yourself. It's a challenge in itself being a parent but doing what parent's do daily with autistic children must be very difficult.'
A third follower confirmed that perseverance is the key. They said: 'I’m the father to an autistic boy. Like your message of perseverance. My boy is now 14. Some tough years, some big sacrifices but worth it!
