Caregiving
December 30, 2019
Many of us think our role in a conversation is to talk. In fact, what most people seem to prefer is to have a conversation partner who is a good listener. We may say too much, repeat ourselves to make a point (when the point is already made), talk about […]
July 30, 2019
It happens in life. Someone we know will be fired, go through a divorce, be informed of an illness, receive an indictment, be involved in an accident, or lose someone they love. When this happens likely, they will want to not only tell us but want to talk about it. […]
November 30, 2018
“You’re not out of the woods yet.” said the doctor to the recovering patient. “You need to take things a bit slower for a while. Listen to your body; it will guide you to where you need to go.” Being “in the woods” is an experience unlike any other. […]
November 1, 2018
Many people have been placed in detention centers or tent cities, feeling alone and isolated. Various organizations are engaged with nonprofits that focus on the well being of detainees and partner to write monthly letters. This idea has its roots in letter writing efforts to people in the military as […]
September 27, 2018
We can help our children along successful life paths by encouraging their achievement from a sense of purpose rather than a sense of obligation or a fear of disappointment. We can emphasize their unique talents and promise. Ideally, we want them to feel good about their authentic selves as they […]
July 2, 2018
Finding Resilience as a Witness. Many of us have experienced trauma in our lives. When we witness other people who are experiencing trauma, our ability to be present for their situation may be heightened or compromised. Either way, we are often (whether for a moment or longer), thrown back into […]
January 2, 2018
You may have noticed (ha) that I often write and speak about noticing and appreciating what is positive in our lives. It is a natural human tendency to notice the negative aspects of our lives. Why? It helps us to survive. So, being “on alert” can be viewed as a […]
November 1, 2017
The act of reaching out is the most generous gift. Sometimes when friends or relatives are going through a challenging time, it is natural for us to want to be there for them in a meaningful way. This desire underscores our connection to each other. When we sense another person’s […]
June 27, 2017
Giving support comes in a variety of forms. For many of us, we are called upon to step in during a crisis. That crisis is frequently related to health but it can be related to divorce, death, anything that tips the scales of a family’s functioning. Most often, the people […]
December 4, 2015
Understanding is essential in caregiving. Understanding what? Our self, the situation, the probability of change, and how that fits into why the person we are caring for is behaving in a certain way. This helps us respond with patience as well as skill. When we understand, we are better able […]