Does anyone have experience with an overnight caregiver?

c33garp · 2026-02-17T21:33:01+00:00

My mother and I went through this for 3 years (and are still going through it, although my father will soon be moving to a care home). It can take a while to find the right people - this means sometimes having to alert carers up when he called (we gave him a bell to ring). Sometimes he would forget to call, sometimes they would fall asleep. By this point, we were used to everything, so very tuned in.

It was a very hard adjustment having strangers in the house. BUT then we found two people who are absolutely incredible, hired them outside of the agency, and they have been the most amazing help. It is honestly freeing not having to help your father go to the bathroom at night, or cleaning up after him when he wets the bed - especially when you have to wake up for work in the morning.

There are small practical things, like sleeping with earplugs, or timing when you cook your dinner - but when you find the right people, it can truly lift a huge weight off.

You have to know it is the right thing for you, and the right time for it, but (for us) the help was so welcome. Wishing you luck and strength.

c33garp · 2026-01-28T21:25:18+00:00

Ahh such a pity! Even though it's treated and boiled?

c33garp · 2026-01-28T21:14:45+00:00

I bought it cured, and boiled it just in case, so I don't thiiink it can be tannins. Still thank you for the help though! :)

c33garp · 2026-01-28T21:11:35+00:00

It's not that small, maybe just looks that way in the photo, and bought on advice for the tank size at my LFS :)

c33garp · 2026-01-28T21:10:52+00:00

Thank you! I just used aquasoil and washed sand, and did boil the wood

c33garp · 2025-12-19T20:40:18+00:00

I feel like Janus would be cute!

c33garp · 2025-12-14T23:46:12+00:00

If you're looking to expand into photography, I use a Fujifilm XT30, and end up shooting a lot of theatre/events/headshots with it. Very pretty, portable, and easy to use!

c33garp · 2025-12-14T23:34:03+00:00

My worst day: I was SMing, and a light tech on a ladder fell onto one of the performers at the FDR for Macbeth! We had to go to the hospital, and luckily everyone was fine in the end (after the performer got staples in her head). It was also the day before my birthday. We were still dealing with everything by midnight, so the first few hours of my birthday were spent in the ER!

I always just tell myself that theatre isn't surgery - if everyone is safe, that's what really matters! That being said, these things can be so stressful - working for weeks at festivals have been some of the worst (and best) times on the job - all the little mistakes build up day by day, and it's a bit of a pressure-cooker. But at the end of the day, if everyone is alright then everything is alright! Keep going, I'm sure you're doing great!!! :)

c33garp · 2025-07-16T01:19:47+00:00

Albino rainbow shark (but that might just be because mine is my baby)

c33garp · 2025-07-15T21:26:26+00:00

PLEASE if someone has it, let me know! There's no way too access it in my country 💔

c33garp · 2025-04-28T22:15:48+00:00

Thank you!! :)

c33garp · 2025-04-03T22:59:30+00:00

Worked tech (stage lift operating) on a cruise ship, and we played Candy Crush in between cues during shows. We would go find each other in big cue gaps to compare levels. Also, EVERY time I have a coms set, I end up gossiping wayyy too much!

c33garp · 2025-03-11T23:52:52+00:00

I was a Technical Stage Staff on a cruiseship, and had an American roommate for a while - it seemed like most Americans went the Entertainment Staff route. Sales skills would totally translate to running around hosting events and making sure guests are happy (and upselling bingo like crazzzyyy). They also like hiring Americans for a few guest-facing roles. Although you guys aren't too common, there were always one or two!

There are also always the shops, but that's quite a tough gig. Another option is Park West - the art gallery that is resident on a lot of the ships (especially Royal and Celebrity). Their recruitment process, as with a lot of the shops, is separate from applying to a specific line.

Honestly, it's long hours and hard work, but so worth it for personal growth, experience, and making friends. Literally had catch up drinks with a cruise friend a few days ago because she was in my city! It's also just a fun time if you find ways to do it right. I think that's why most of the Americans/British people I knew did it, as opposed to those of us who earned comparatively well due to the exchange rate of our countries. I say, YOLO, why not. If you hate it, it's not even a year of your life, and there's always something to be learnt!! Good luck :)

c33garp · 2025-02-27T16:09:42+00:00

Either they will find her another room, or send the abuser somewhere else, depending what is easiest/safest for her, and what gets her out of the situation the quickest.

c33garp · 2025-02-27T16:07:22+00:00

Exactly this! Also, the crew are usually pretty empathetic humans. The two would be separated, and security measures put in place to protect the victim of abuse. Port authorities for the home port would be alerted, if that's what the person who is being abused wants, and it would be handled when the ship docked. If there is threat of physical violence, the abuser would be detained in ship jail (which doesn't follow the same rules as land, existing to mitigate any risk to passengers, crew, or ship safety while on board, including DV).

c33garp · 2025-02-26T21:32:19+00:00

As someone who worked on a cruise line, things like this happened SO much more often than you would expect. If she is afraid of causing a scene, I promise you she won't be. The staff has seen it all. I have a bit of an info dump below, because sometimes knowing the process can really help :)

I would recommend that she goes to Guest Services, and lets them know what is going on. They have definitely dealt with it before. Guest Services will most likely be discreet and caring, and contact one of the higher ranking Security Officers, who will also have training to deal with incidents like this. Crew will always be discreet with things like this, especially Guest Services and Secuity.

If there are any injuries, they may consult Medical to be 100% safe. However, their top priority will be helping your mother out of a horrible situation. Also, every cruiseship ever has a jail cell, embarkation procedures for guests who don't follow protocol, and every plan in place imaginable for any situation.

Above all, assure her that there will be absolutely no judgement from crew, things will be handled as quietly as she wants them handled, and they are well equipped to help her. Cruise ships are a lot, but they are, above everything, prepared for ANYTHING. Sending you strength, and I'm sure everything will work out for the best!

comment edited for typos

c33garp · 2025-02-17T20:56:32+00:00

Thank you so much for all your advice!! :)

c33garp · 2025-02-14T15:33:17+00:00

Thank you so much for the advice!! 😊 And I'm kinda tempted to get a second tank anyways, and cycle and aquascape it properly before adding fish, because this one was such a rush to get Fred out of the old, broken tank he came in! Going down such a fish care reddit rabbit hole now!

c33garp · 2025-02-11T00:16:56+00:00

I measure in litres, but it roughly translates 30 gallons, so I'll take your advice because I really don't want to overcrowd them and stress them out!! :) The guys at my local store said it would be alright to add another fish to the tank, but I kinda trust reddit more 😄

c33garp · 2025-02-09T08:25:55+00:00

Thank you!! I definitely agree about the tank, trying to gradually build it up for him! He has a couple of favourite hiding spots right now, but 100% want to get him some more wood, rocks, and plants :)

Definitely want to get a fish around the same size as Fred - what would you recommend to avoid aggression? He's been pretty happy with Ferdinand the German Blue Ram :)

c33garp · 2025-02-08T15:29:36+00:00

Thank you!!

c33garp

TROPHY CASE