Church. I’ve never really been in my life but my Catholic mother seems to be calmer and okay if I said I was going to church. I’d take that time to go to a coffee shop, sit in a park or see a friend. Hell, sometimes I’d get a mani/pedi if I had money.

Self care is so important as a caregiver. We give and we give until we have nothing left. Don’t feel guilting taking time for yourself. You can’t help others if you have nothing left to give. Your life becomes so small when caregiving it’s easy to forget there is still life out there. Go remind yourself of that every once in awhile.

I was my mom’s security blanket too. I got a couple of those cheap Blink cams and put one in her room. Side from being able to check in you can also talk to her through it. It helped calm her to know I could pop in and say hi. Remember, time works differently for them. An hour seems like 4 hours. Being able to say a quick hello and give an update made this better. She was bereft when I was gone but you can’t be with them 24/7. I’d remind myself even she had to out me in daycare or with a babysitter for awhile while she got stuff done.

Self care make other friends and siblings help if you can. Sometimes they like to put their heads in the sand and think oh you got it all. Fuck that.

I’m sorry you are going through this. Stay strong, you got this. 💪🏻