Digging Ditches with Dad
What’s the recipe for a perfect family visit? Answering that question can open a whole new world of joy and connection with the people you love.
My family loves doing projects together. We thrive on the closeness we derive from planning, trading ideas, recognizing each other’s strengths, and admiring the fruits of our labor. Our most recent project involved digging – and re-digging – flowerbeds at my parents’ new home near my sister. The harder we work, the prouder we are!
I work with client families who take an annual vacation together, who participate in an annual charity walk, and who plan elaborate holiday meals together. Every family has their own secret formula for what works – and what doesn’t work. As you plan your next visit to your own parents, I encourage you to review what brings joy to your family rather than enduring old patterns simply because that’s what you’ve always done.
Since my family likes to do projects together, we have begun to plan visits for times when we can really “dig in” and get things accomplished. Not, for example, at the holidays when the weather is cold and schedules are hectic. You may find that you love celebrating the holidays together but no one wants to cook. How about going to a nice restaurant for the holiday meal or spending the weekend at a country inn?
Just remember to consider what works for your own family. Because digging ditches isn’t for everyone!
To see what Mom and I were doing during this visit, see “Managing Meds with Mom.” For a peek into our last visit (and hear my dad singing!) see: The Art of Making a Personal Connection.
For more articles like this, see: Care for the Caregiver, Long Distance Caregiving, Communicating with Senior Citizens.
Know someone who worries about their elderly parent in Charlottesville, Staunton, or Harrisonburg Virginia? Care is There Geriatric Care Management can help! Have them contact me, Elizabeth, for a free consultation: 434.326.5323ext 2 or Elizabeth@careisthere.com.
For more information about our services, and to read testimonials from our clients, visit our website. Also, view this short video about our care management services.
Elizabeth Swider, Certified Senior Advisor and Certified Aging in Place Specialist
President, Care is There Geriatric Care Management
Support for independent living and long distance caregiving; assisted living enhancement
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