Caring for the Caregiver: This Year I’m Taking Care of Me
2013 was a hard year for me. What about you? In fact, I’m just now coming up for air. Christmas just came down last weekend. I just didn’t have the energy to take it down earlier. So there…
It seems that Mom has become more difficult this year. Not really sicker, but more needy, more clingy, and worst of all, more unkind. Meanwhile, hubby has had a back injury and almost needed surgery. But he didn’t pass the cardiac clearance, so we are re-thinking that. But for the past several months, he’s been in pain. And you know men in pain… So I reached the end of the year pretty much at the end of me.
Then I saw these caregiver resolutions in a post on Caring.com and decided I need to implement them (or something like them) this year. Not all of these apply to all of us, but let them be a jumping off point for your own declarations.
Here’s the sample from Caring.com to start you off.
- I will organize and dispense all my loved one's meds. . . but not beat myself up for forgetting the occasional dose.
- I will apologize when I lose my temper, but realize that caregiving is so chock-full of temperature-riling situations that eternal calm is impossible.
- I will be there for my loved one, but I will continue to run my own life at the same time.
- I will let myself grieve and cry and feel sad, instead of trying to keep a chipper smile on my face all the time.
- I will accept or ignore criticism for what it's worth (or not worth) rather than letting it eat at me.
- I will quit blaming myself when bad things happen. Bad things happen.
- Finally, I resolve to take care of me this year, not just my loved one. Because eventually I may be the one who needs care, and better it be later than sooner.
I resolve. . . not to try to be perfect this year.
How about you? How are you going to take care of YOU this year? Share with us your declarations.
Photo Credit: Peat Bakke
Labels: caregiver, caregiver fatigue, resolutions
2 comment(s):
i LOVE this post. THANK YOU. I think the best resolve is to try to not try to be "perfect" this year.
My hubby has AZ. WOW. that in itself is "my story" of late. and yes. take care of myself. we hear it over and over. and need to DO it.
If you are the baloney, then i am the pickle to go on top.. THANKS. it tickled my being.
By
Kathi, at
9:29 AM
Love this post! Very much
By
Katherine Thayer, at
11:05 PM
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