People don’t think to call you before they go to the grocery store or Dollar Tree to see if there’s anything you need that can be dropped off.
[Read more…]Not feelin the holiday spirit? There’s nothing wrong with you
It’s the holiday season! Time for presents and big meals and delicious sweets and good cheer…. right?
Not for everyone. If you’re feeling like, “whoop-de-do,” don’t worry. It’s natural sometimes.
For some of us, especially after or amidst a caregiving experience, we’re at a point in our adult lives where the magic and whimsy of the holiday season literally has no effect. We are awakened to that which is truly valuable in life, and we can’t latch on to the commercialism and consumerism of the season.
The holidays are all about spending time with loved ones. For some of us, the thought of getting together with our families has us reaching for the Pepto Bismol or a wine glass, because we don’t have the same warm, loving relationships like the ones that are shown in the mass media.
Some of us have lost a close person in our lives and are having a time dealing with the empty space next to them at the typical traditions. If looking at Facebook Memories this month has made you cry, you are not alone.
If you’ve experienced a loss, don’t have the best family relationships, or maybe you just had a rough year, it’s normal to feel like a Charlie Brown Christmas tree.
No matter what your reason, don’t let anyone make you feel guilty (including yourself) for not catching the holiday spirit.
It’s hard not to get down on ourselves, but we have enough to deal with without making ourselves feel like we aren’t human or have some kind of disease when we find ourselves switching the station when the Christmas tunes come on or passing on invites from friends and family to holiday parties.
Try to find one small thing that YOU enjoy about the holidays you can do to spark the whimsy and warmth of the season. Take some time to show yourself some love.. and then, just maybe, like Charlie Brown’s tree, you’ll start to perk up a little.
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
From our family to yours:
Caregiving.com Holiday Progressive Blog Party
It’s a cook-free (and dirty dish-less!) Progressive Party.
On December 18 and 19, Caregiving.com is throwing a Holiday Progressive Blog Party! My friends and I are going to be stopping by the blogs and websites of family caregivers, dropping off holiday well-wishes and good cheer. Our party also includes companies that provides services and/or products to help family caregivers. Won’t you join us?
CareGiving.com is giving away a gift a day. All you have to do is visit the blog party participants, share a comment and let the bloggers know you’re visiting because of Caregiving.com’s Holiday Progressive Blog Party. You can find the participants in the blog party here: https://www.caregiving.com/2017/12/holiday-progressive-blog-party-participants-3/
Be sure to check back at TakingCareofGrandma.com this week. I’m a featured participant at the party, and in honor of the party, I am donating a customized daily organizing sheet to one lucky winner. To help start the New Year off right, a visitor will win a daily organizing sheet, customized to their caree’s needs. This sheet can help carees keep track of their day and help caregivers facilitate conversations about health and wellness, social and leisure activities, and day-to-day affairs. See my grandma’s daily sheet at http://rachelh15.sg-host.com/manic-monday-grandmas-daily-organizer/
Decking Grandma’s halls for Halloween
I have always liked to add some holiday flair to my house when there is a special day coming up, and I do the same thing with Grandma.
Today, we hit up the Dollar Tree to get her living room ready for Halloween. It didn’t cost very much, and it got her out of the house moving around.
Each time we do this, my hope is it helps her remember what time of year it is and gives her something to look forward to. We have a nice little stock of holiday decorations growing in the garage for when the next one rolls around.
