THINKING ABOUT THE CAREGIVER:
Inside the exam room - things like how to help your child swallow pills, deal with painful procedures, retain a locus of control, communicating compassionately with medical professionals, balancing the realities of a medicalized family life with the magic of childhood, etc. ;
Outside the exam room - the structural stuff like mapping care resources, navigating the system, creating a resource binder, a medical center-school communication strategy; researching treatments, connecting silos of care, accessing clinical trials, and how to become the momologist or citizen scientist; and
Wellness and Meaning Making - how to access wellness resources for you, your family, and your community and how to make meaning and find connections with others in similar situations.
Inside the exam room - things like how to help your child swallow pills, deal with painful procedures, retain a locus of control, communicating compassionately with medical professionals, balancing the realities of a medicalized family life with the magic of childhood, etc. ;
Outside the exam room - the structural stuff like mapping care resources, navigating the system, creating a resource binder, a medical center-school communication strategy; researching treatments, connecting silos of care, accessing clinical trials, and how to become the momologist or citizen scientist; and
Wellness and Meaning Making - how to access wellness resources for you, your family, and your community and how to make meaning and find connections with others in similar situations.
CAREGIVER CARE - FROM SELF-CARE TO SQUAD-CARE
Caregiver care is essential.
Just as you nourish your child and family's mind, body, and spirit - its important to make sure you are getting care as well. I know, it can feel like an "extra" thing - and that airplane metaphor of 'putting the oxygen mask on yourself first' can feel like "another thing" to do or add to your already burgeoning list.
Learn how self care as a caregiver is not only essential for our wellbeing - it also models really important approaches to dealing with tough times for our kids, families, and communities. Self care does not mean caring for yourself alone.
Part of the reason I started my parent support activities - mentoring, coaching, running online groups, & meeting up with other caregivers is because we cannot do this alone. Sure, there are self care activities we can and need to practice on our own, but self care also occurs in a social or community context.
Culturally, for the most part, we as adults are not taught how to be interdependent and dependent on others for wellness. And yet, research shows that social connection and peer support literally improves our health, well being, and physiology.
From something as simple as taking time to focus on your next breath to creating a circle of support for you (yes! you the caregiver) its important to realize caregiving is like any role - its easier if you get help learning how to do it.
Just as you nourish your child and family's mind, body, and spirit - its important to make sure you are getting care as well. I know, it can feel like an "extra" thing - and that airplane metaphor of 'putting the oxygen mask on yourself first' can feel like "another thing" to do or add to your already burgeoning list.
Learn how self care as a caregiver is not only essential for our wellbeing - it also models really important approaches to dealing with tough times for our kids, families, and communities. Self care does not mean caring for yourself alone.
Part of the reason I started my parent support activities - mentoring, coaching, running online groups, & meeting up with other caregivers is because we cannot do this alone. Sure, there are self care activities we can and need to practice on our own, but self care also occurs in a social or community context.
Culturally, for the most part, we as adults are not taught how to be interdependent and dependent on others for wellness. And yet, research shows that social connection and peer support literally improves our health, well being, and physiology.
From something as simple as taking time to focus on your next breath to creating a circle of support for you (yes! you the caregiver) its important to realize caregiving is like any role - its easier if you get help learning how to do it.
STRATEGIES:
Caregiver-to-Caregiver Support
Caregiver Peer Mentoring
Parent-to-Parent Coaching
Peer Wellness Groups
Circles of Connection
Online Support Groups
Virtual Matching with Fellow Caregivers
Caregiver Wellness Activities
Caregiver Health Coaching and Support
Caregiver Peer Mentoring
Parent-to-Parent Coaching
Peer Wellness Groups
Circles of Connection
Online Support Groups
Virtual Matching with Fellow Caregivers
Caregiver Wellness Activities
Caregiver Health Coaching and Support