Grandparents Raising Children Support Group
This community is dedicated to grandparents who are the primary caregivers of their grandchildren. In cases where the parents are not willing or able to provide adequate care for their children, grandparents may take on the role of primary caregivers. Join the support group to find support, share your experience, and get advice from other members.
I came to a big decision yesterday and am about to make some huge changes in my life. I look at my handsome grandson I'm raising whos already 16 years old and my beautiful granddaughter whos 9 now and cant believe they are growing up so fast! I realized that I want to do so many things. I want to watch them graduate high school, then college. I want to watch them walk down the aisle, and I want to hold my great-grandchildren in my arms. If I want to do these things, then I need to take better care of myself.
Yes, I have had lots of excuses. Im too busy, Im too tired and worn out from taking care of everyone else - my grandson, my father with Alzheimer's, my brother with Hunting's Disease. I don't take time to exercise. I dont have enough vacation time to take off to get he and my dad to the doctor and still fit in my own appointments. I always remember to give them their medications, but often forget to take my own. But, the thing is, if I really want to take care of them then I need to also take care of myself. No more martyrdom! No more excuses!
I vow to get more exercise, to eat more healthy foods, to get that mammogram, take my medications, and take better care of myself. No more 'I don't have time for me'. I want to watch not only my grandchildren grow into adults, but also my great grandchildren. I don't know when or how I lost sight of that but I can see it clearly now.
Today is a new day. Today I ran in my pool for half an hour then floated on a pool float for 15 minutes as a reward while dinner was on the grill.. Today at the baby shower luncheon at work I skipped the white breads, dips, chips, oily pasta salad, cakes and cookies, and ate the cucumbers and fruit instead. Today I ate veggies and grilled chicken for dinner. And I already feel so much more energy! Life will not just be better, it will be wonderful.
Yes, I have had lots of excuses. Im too busy, Im too tired and worn out from taking care of everyone else - my grandson, my father with Alzheimer's, my brother with Hunting's Disease. I don't take time to exercise. I dont have enough vacation time to take off to get he and my dad to the doctor and still fit in my own appointments. I always remember to give them their medications, but often forget to take my own. But, the thing is, if I really want to take care of them then I need to also take care of myself. No more martyrdom! No more excuses!
I vow to get more exercise, to eat more healthy foods, to get that mammogram, take my medications, and take better care of myself. No more 'I don't have time for me'. I want to watch not only my grandchildren grow into adults, but also my great grandchildren. I don't know when or how I lost sight of that but I can see it clearly now.
Today is a new day. Today I ran in my pool for half an hour then floated on a pool float for 15 minutes as a reward while dinner was on the grill.. Today at the baby shower luncheon at work I skipped the white breads, dips, chips, oily pasta salad, cakes and cookies, and ate the cucumbers and fruit instead. Today I ate veggies and grilled chicken for dinner. And I already feel so much more energy! Life will not just be better, it will be wonderful.
I have a friend that says you can't take care of anyone else until you can take care of yourself.
I believe you have hit the nail on the head and we can all learn from you !
I sure could use encouragement. I believe this was originally (something similar) in one of my goals. Anyone interested? I know it is just another group - maybe we could do it on here somehow? What do y'all think?
It's hard to find the time to keep up with everything, so much as I'd like to do another group, I don't know if I could post much. I might just track things in my Journal and if others do the same, we can share with each other that way, or just post to this thread once in a while.
Thanks for all lof the encouragement and support.
I thought we had it bad on the East Coast -- but ours is just 104.
I'd like to try, that way we can all work on what we want to work on and at the pace we want to! :)
Maybe it's the incentive I need to start that program I bought 3 mos ago..... :P
So starting today I will....the baby like music and has just started walking so maybe he will also enjoy them. I will try to do them with him and see how that goes. I hope everyone has a blessed day.
I saw a video today on my FB account that inspired me but I don't see where I could repost it here. If anyone know's how ( in kindergarten steps) please let me know. thanks :)
I have always loved nothing more than making breakfast and lunch and eating it while I catch up on some reading.
Well, that is history. Reading? Privacy? Peace and quiet? Long gone.
A quiet snack? Never! They must smell food, because no matter where they are they show up just when I'm trying to sneak a quiet moment to myself.
"What are you eating? Can we have some?"
Lunch and a book? Nope. "Mom-Mom, look at this!" "Mom-Mom, she's hitting me!" "Mom-Mom, what does this word mean?" "Mom-Mom, can we......" "Mom-Mom! I need more milk, please!"
So I actually don't eat half as much as I used to, and I'm back down to my normal weight. I'm not in shape, mind you, but at least my weight is back to where I want it :-)