Looking after mum
The time has come in my life where I am starting to look after my parents more than they are looking after me. Its a natural, normal process that everyone goes through. Mine is happened a little quicker than I would have expected because my dad isn't well.
Out of the two, my mum is finding it hardest. I think it may be a combination of having to face it everyday and also the lack of control -- there is literally nothing she can do about it. Her life has changed just as much as my dads as well, as she is now a full time carer and housewife which although many would love, is a huge change to my mums usually busy and social lifestyle.
I honestly never thought I would be in a position to look after someone else. I thought I would always be the one who needed looking after and wouldn't be able to manage any sort of stressful situation. How wrong I was! I have actually found a way of dealing with my dads illness, and I'm just going with it. So now its my turn to try and help mum.
Its nice to be able to return the favour. She was amazing when I was really suffering during university and as she has had problems with anxiety and depression in the past, she was great to talk to about it.
Mental illness can hit you at any point in your life, and it can be triggered by a traumatic event, a sudden death or illness or purely come out of 'thin air'. But it happens. Its about trying to build a support system.
Hopefully my mum sees me as one of those people and I can only hope I help her as much as she's helped me!
And I tell her this but I don't think she always believes me, "It will all be OK".
Stay Strong
-X-
Out of the two, my mum is finding it hardest. I think it may be a combination of having to face it everyday and also the lack of control -- there is literally nothing she can do about it. Her life has changed just as much as my dads as well, as she is now a full time carer and housewife which although many would love, is a huge change to my mums usually busy and social lifestyle.
I honestly never thought I would be in a position to look after someone else. I thought I would always be the one who needed looking after and wouldn't be able to manage any sort of stressful situation. How wrong I was! I have actually found a way of dealing with my dads illness, and I'm just going with it. So now its my turn to try and help mum.
Its nice to be able to return the favour. She was amazing when I was really suffering during university and as she has had problems with anxiety and depression in the past, she was great to talk to about it.
Mental illness can hit you at any point in your life, and it can be triggered by a traumatic event, a sudden death or illness or purely come out of 'thin air'. But it happens. Its about trying to build a support system.
Hopefully my mum sees me as one of those people and I can only hope I help her as much as she's helped me!
And I tell her this but I don't think she always believes me, "It will all be OK".
Stay Strong
-X-
Oh...how sweet you're looking after your Mom.
ReplyDeleteIt will all be ok. It's so hard when your parents get sick. My father passed away when I was 22 but I gave up my first career year after college to care for him. I probably only remember a day or two of that year because it was just so hard and it was so much.
ReplyDeleteSending love and positivity to you and your family.
Xoxo,
Ashley || Sed Bona
Thank you for the comments! It's comforting to know there are other people out there who have been through the same! Sounds like you were incredibly brave as well Ashley! Stay strong. X
ReplyDelete