Caring for someone you love — it’s no small thing. It’s a lot of heart, a lot of energy, and sometimes, a lot of chaos. Life doesn’t exactly consult your calendar before throwing a curveball. And when something urgent happens, even the most committed carer might find themselves scrambling. That’s when having access to emergency respite care really matters — the kind that steps in when you physically or emotionally can’t.
When I first looked into overnight respite care for children, I was overwhelmed. Like many carers, I just wanted to know my son would be safe, understood, and truly cared for—even if it was only for one night. What I found wasn’t just somewhere to leave him for a bit — it turned out to be more than I expected, really. Respite care kind of became this lifeline for us. Just a short stay, but it gave both of us a bit of space to breathe. We didn’t even realise how much we needed that. It helped us reset, I guess — to feel a bit more like ourselves again.
