So many truths- listened to this whilst wiping the weetabix off the walls….Well done ladies on managing the equilibrium of daily life, something that I’m yet to manage! Thank you for being audible, visible and literary voices of carers, for documenting how it is; particularly important for parent carers, who are so often overlooked during Carers Week (perhaps it’s different where you live- but I often have to explain that the person being cared for is not my parent but my son and that I don’t need an emergency alert button leaflet or a stairlift installed).
A very relatable conversation as I try and write and work whilst caring for my autistic kids who also can't access school. Another thing which is a tension is how much to write about my children when they are such a hufe part of my life v their right to privacy.
Somehow hearng the two of you talk about your experiences and how hard is can be legitimised mine. As Caro said it can take a while to realise that what we do as parent carers is a lot more than parenting.
I’m so encouraged by this conversation and by watching how the two of you have built creative careers in the chaos of carerwork. I’m in the USA, and we don’t use the word carer as a noun. There are specific medical or social work careers that are referred to by their formal position, but no designation for parents or children who care for family members. There is a slightly different term, caregiver, which refers to a state aide. But not all states provide recognition of or pay for parents providing that care to their children. It’s a mess, and makes it infinitely challenging as the mother of three neurodivergent kids who require varying levels of care (most of it “invisible”). I’ve struggled to integrate writing into my regular life, and with that “trapped” feeling you both described. I feel so seen by your conversation and have a bit of a path forward into how I might craft my own creative life within very limited constraints!
So many truths- listened to this whilst wiping the weetabix off the walls….Well done ladies on managing the equilibrium of daily life, something that I’m yet to manage! Thank you for being audible, visible and literary voices of carers, for documenting how it is; particularly important for parent carers, who are so often overlooked during Carers Week (perhaps it’s different where you live- but I often have to explain that the person being cared for is not my parent but my son and that I don’t need an emergency alert button leaflet or a stairlift installed).
Lovely to hear from you Sophie. Sending love to you and your family. You are amazing x
Listening along at 7am whilst getting meds ready for my son (and a lovely 4am get up 😀). Always fab (and very comforting) to hear you both talking.
Oh yay Elaine but also sorry for the 4am get up 😫
A very relatable conversation as I try and write and work whilst caring for my autistic kids who also can't access school. Another thing which is a tension is how much to write about my children when they are such a hufe part of my life v their right to privacy.
Somehow hearng the two of you talk about your experiences and how hard is can be legitimised mine. As Caro said it can take a while to realise that what we do as parent carers is a lot more than parenting.
I’m so encouraged by this conversation and by watching how the two of you have built creative careers in the chaos of carerwork. I’m in the USA, and we don’t use the word carer as a noun. There are specific medical or social work careers that are referred to by their formal position, but no designation for parents or children who care for family members. There is a slightly different term, caregiver, which refers to a state aide. But not all states provide recognition of or pay for parents providing that care to their children. It’s a mess, and makes it infinitely challenging as the mother of three neurodivergent kids who require varying levels of care (most of it “invisible”). I’ve struggled to integrate writing into my regular life, and with that “trapped” feeling you both described. I feel so seen by your conversation and have a bit of a path forward into how I might craft my own creative life within very limited constraints!
A lovely conversation. So refreshing to listen to - from a fellow carer! x
A really helpful conversation, and so close to my experiences.
https://substack.com/@helenfarrar/note/c-59176026?r=y97ck&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
Thank you so much both for sharing insights into your lives with this important conversation 💛
thank you for this 💚
Really interesting conversation that puts lots of things in perspective. I will never complain about my pesky dog again!