Free Time

[poliphilo]

I bought a DVD last week and ever since I've been looking for an opportunity to view it- and coming to the realisation that there's never- in any day- a movie length span of time when I don't have to be on the alert, making meals or cups of coffee, escorting my mother about and so on. I don't have a lot to do here- I can't complain that it's onerous- but what it is is continuous. From getting up in the morning to going to bed at night I'm never off duty- even though all I have to do most of the time is " stand and wait".

Today, though, is our day off and Kirstie's here doing the things I'd normally do. Usually Ailz and I go out for lunch and have adventures but Ailz was very tired and has gone to bed and I took advantage of the situation to shut myself up in the study and watch my movie. I can't tell you how good it was to have two uninterupted hours to myself.

Comments

[resonant.livejournal.com]

Is respite care offered in your area?

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Probably.

But we don't want my mother going into care- even for a few days- because we think it would finish her. She's reasonably well off and we can afford to have people come and stay with her once in a while.

[ideealisme.livejournal.com]

Me-time is good for carers - glad you got to have a nice block of some!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

Yes, it's good to get away- even if it's only a matter of retiring into a room and have no-one bother you for an hour or two.

[athenais.livejournal.com]

As someone who works seven days a week I can tell you I really value any day with no time constraints. Even if I just have three or four visits, they weigh on me, I have to be ready to go take care of someone's pets, to drive, to check in, etc. Not onerous, but constant. It's very good indeed to get that break.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I'm not fond of working to rules and timetables- at least not when they're somebody else's.

[wyrmwwd.livejournal.com]

Caregiving is hard. It is one of the hardest things we ever do. It is physically and emotionally draining in ways that most people don't understand. Blessings upon you.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

It doesn't look particularly hard from the outside- it might even seem like a cushy billet- but it's tough. Sometimes I think I can't carry on any longer- and then I carry on.

[wyrmwwd.livejournal.com]

You are not the only one. Talk to anyone in a similar position, and they will tell you the same thing.

[porsupah.livejournal.com]

I suspect I'll be experiencing more of what you've been relating. That's a good part of my motivation to try to get Mum to Singapore and Sydney, while she's still herself, and able to get around, even if not as nimbly as but ten years ago.

Pesky organic bodies. =:/

(Not meant in a sinister sense. I'm thinking of some time in the future - augmentation, and all that kind of stuff)

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

There are times when I'm not particularly impressed by the human body.

[rosamicula.livejournal.com]

This is exactly why I woudl never have been much cop as a parent. It's the relentlessness of care that I cannot take.

May you sneak more movies into your festive period.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

My mother expects her meals- and there a lot of them- at set times. I hate living by the clock.

I'm watching Harry Potter movies today- fitting them into the routine.