conscious caregiver Archives - Coping With Uncopeable Parents

Intentional Birthday Reflections

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You know, one of the things I love about being born in early July is that my special day falls about mid-way through the year. What a great time for course-correction!

As I’ve lately been inviting all of you, I’m taking a page out of my own books to stop and deeply contemplate my life. In my case, this has to do with completing six decades. Every year since my parents passed away in 2010 and 2012, I gain new perspectives about their role in aiding my development, toxic as I found our journey growing up.Read More

Honoring My Dad

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Yesterday would have been the birthday of my paternal grandfather. Undoubtedly, he spent many a Father’s Day acknowledging his arrival as well as the general occasion. Passed-away in 1964, Grandpa would be a very remote memory if not for my father’s and cousin’s stories.

Thankfully, I’ve gained some genuine perspectives about the man who gave me life leading up to and after his own transition in 2012. I offer them with integrity here.Read More

Listening Over Ice Cream

conscious caregiver coping with uncopeable parents eldercare healing

If you had one, what was your favorite high-school summer job? One of my two answers was working at the local Laura Secord Candy Shop. A Canadian tradition, they’re known for delectable chocolates and delicious ice cream. Allowed to ‘sample’ wares within reason between customers, my stomach turned at the mere sight of chocolate long before September. This never happened with ice cream. I am roaring!Read More

Setting Summer Vacation Boundaries

conscious caregiver coping with uncopeable parents demanding aging parents eldercare

Before another second goes by, let’s address how you are going to deliberately craft your summer with (or without) aging family members. We need to ‘talk’ before your plans are set in concrete.Read More

Entertain to Keep the Peace

conscious caregiver coping with uncopeable parents demanding aging parents eldercare

Canadians recently enjoyed our first long-holiday of the ‘summer’ called Victoria Day. Americans are currently celebrating Memorial Day. My next blog will focus on deliberately crafting this season with (or without seeing) aging family members. For now, any of you who are already entertaining parents or visiting them, please bear in mind these peace-creating strategies.Read More

Remembering Ancestral Mothers

conscious caregiver coping with uncopeable parents demanding aging parents eldercare

For many, Mother’s Day weekend in North America can be a very mixed occasion. After all, how does a son or daughter cope with their negative reality while surrounded by societal strictures in the form of bombarding restaurant ads, mushy greeting cards and lavish florists?Read More

The Anniversary of My Mother’s Passing

conscious caregiver coping with uncopeable parents demanding aging parents eldercare

Incredibly, we have just passed the ninth anniversary of my mother’s passing at age 89 on April 17^th. In this Part 1 of an authentic journey that resulted in peaceful resolution of a complex and layered relationship, we trace benchmark moments that bring us forward into 2019.Read More

What Are Your Easter Memories?

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Did you know Easter gets its name from Ostara, also known as Eastre, Goddess of Springtime and the Dawn? Symbolic of fertility, her annual return is heralded by the flowering of trees and plants – plus the arrival of babies human and animal. Reflection is prompted at three levels.Read More

Living without Regret

caregiver support conscious caregiver demanding aging parents healing

A few weeks ago, my weekly radio show, “The Conscious Caregiver”, focused upon how we can come to the so-called end of life without carrying regret into those other worlds. At this season of rebirth and renewal, it feels fitting to dive further into the topic.Read More

Caregiving as a Healing Opportunity?

conscious caregiver coping with uncopeable parents eldercare healing

Equally, this post could be called: “Is it too late to have a perfect childhood?” Did you just read right?Read More