Affirmations for Family Caregivers

As a caregiver for my son I personally found this book positive, uplifting and full of inspiration. Having been exploring Positive Psychology for some time and working personally with affirmations, I see them as a great way to turn a negative into a positive without negating how the experience or issue has made you feel. Harriet Hodgson in her introduction, gives an open and honest account of the tragedies in her life and how the results have had a life-changing knock-on effect on her life as she has stepped in at various stages to become caregiver to a steady stream of family members over the years, including her mother, her husband, and her orphaned twin grandchildren.
However, whatever job you do, even if it's one you love involving people you love, there are guaranteed to be aspects of it that will irritate, exasperate, cause anxiety and stress, or just plain get you down! Harriet gives some great examples of how she has dealt with these occasions by writing her own affirmations - for example, in Chapter One, 'My Caregiving Tasks,' she writes 'Changes in plans don't throw me off balance; they activate my coping skills' or 'Every job has its messy aspects, and that makes me appreciate the non-messy aspects more.' Furthermore, acknowledging the time constraints on caregivers, Harriet Hodgson has created an easily readable book, simply formatted and defined carefully by chapters without too much content. Harriet Hodgson, I applaud you!
Prior to reading this book I had spent a lot of time reading other peoples' affirmations, but I had never thought to have a go at writing my own which reflect on my own personal experiences as a caregiver. I am now inspired to do so! I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!
aregivers, Harriet divides her book into easily identified chapters, and into easily read sections within the chapters to enable a 'dip in' book to slot into busy lives when appropriate.

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While my experience relates to a family member with a mental illness not a family member with a physical disability I found the advice of developing specific and appropriate affirmations to be very positive. The issues Harriet Hodgson raises about the health and well being of being a carergiver is spot on and her strategies of building strength both mentally and physically to make the most of what you have to deal with as a carer is inspiring, The book has lovely drawings and is well presented so that you can go to different sections without needing to read the whole book. Good to help writing ones own affirmations. A big thank you yo Netgalley and BQB Publishers for allowing me the chance to read this ebook and write a review.

While I haven’t been a long term caregiver, I know many people, including Jose, who have been caregivers to a family member. I’ve seen how draining caregiving can be. When a family member relies on you completely to be there for them physically and emotionally it can be very challenging and draining. You lose sleep, you’re bone tired and that effects your behaviour.

The author has used her experiences to stress the importance of using affirmations to boost your spirit as a caregiver. The book has been organized by topic. For example, self-care, quiet time, responsibility, routine, etc.

Some sample affirmations:

Any one who takes care of someone knows that things don’t always go according to plan. An unexpected visitor. The ‘patient’ throwing a tantrum or taking a turn for the worse. It’s important to have a routine but also be creative. This affirms that.

I am not afraid to revise my task list when necessary. Creativity is an important part of each caregiving day.

Caregiving is a tough job. No doubt about that. But our first duty is to take care of ourselves. Jose has shared with me how when he looked after his mother, he made sure he went out every day and also asked people for help. So this affirmation made so much sense to me.

It’s amazing how a fifteen-minute walk helps me de-stree. Self-care is part of caregiving, and I take good care of myself.

This book will make a wonderful gift to a caregiver. And if you’re a caregiver consider getting the book for yourself.

Full review on Spriteby's Verden.