I just peeked at your profile & saw that you live in Ocoee...I was born & raised in Pine Hills (back before it was known as "Crime Hills")... Ocoee, Winter Garden...those are all my old stomping grounds!

This must have been like God's green acre back when,before Disney and people.Dirt roads,smell of orange blossoms,hills and lakes.Lots of good places to hang with friends or ride a horse.Now you don't even hear any birds. I actually saw a duck trying to build a nest on top of a power pole.That's not right. Anyway,your a sweet girl,a Leo too(are we supposed to get along?), thanks for lifting some weight off of me,Alexis

I've been a caregiver to my mom for over 8 years now. It's been very trying and stressful for me, as we never got along. She's always been very critical and hard to please, and now is no different. Of course some days are worse than others. And I've learned to ignore a lot. Then other days, I just go to my room and cry. I do have to keep reminding myself that I would have felt guilty had I not assumed this role, and that somehow it's going to make my life better...somehow.

I do get relief every other weekend. My older brother lives next door, so he takes over her care on alternate weekends and for a whole week during the year so I can take a much needed vacation.

Alexis, I urge you to find a relief caregiver, even if it's just for a few hours. You need time away, time to relax, time to rejuvinate. Talk to you local senior citizen center and ask them for suggestions. They might be able to refer you to a program just for people in your situation. Do you have a cousin or an uncle or aunt who could relieve you for an afternoon or even a whole day? If not, you might consider hiring someone you trust to sit with her for a while. You need some relief. If you get burned out, then you're no good to her or you. You need "time off", as everyone done. Caregiving is a much harder job than 2 full-time jobs. I miss working 60 hours a week; it was a walk in the park compared to this.

I was a care giver to my fiance', my two GrandMothers, and then my
Mother. Mom has been gone for ten years now.

Being a caregiver can drain even the strongest person.
You need to find a bit of time for yourself too.
You should be very proud of yourself for being there for your Mother.

(((Hugs)))

Thanks taz and Teddy, I am not the first in this situation,nor the last,there's always,always a worse story or situation than your own. Both of you ladies have shown your nurturing ways and I appreciate it. If this web site does nothing else ,it has this day done more because of the human compassion shown by you both and the others you see from today. All of you would make a great neighborhood to live and share in. Alexis