My friends sometimes wonder how I manage to caregive and have an online business.
Of course, it’s a wonderment that I actually have friends at all, given the fact that I’m always sharing my frequently unpopular opinions (see Boardman Country). But both of them – thanks, Mom and Dad – do tend to think I have too much on my plate.
There’s no question that taking care of the three clients I have living with me at the Boardman Family Home is a full load, but then, who wants a boring life? So in my spare time, I really enjoy fooling around with online business opportunities, not because I need to, but because I love the challenge of seeing if online revenue-generation can actually be a reality for me or not.
Anyway, onlookers viewing what I like to call “the circus” try to imagine juggling meal preparation, dispensing medications, changing diapers and writing several blogs. How is that done?
First, I’ve learned exactly what my folks will and won’t eat and I have fixing that stuff down to a science. When I’m happy I fix what they will eat. When they’re making me mad, I fix what they won’t eat! It’s great to be surrounded by folks who are always doing their very best to make me happy. Smile.
Next, I choose my clients carefully so that the care tends to be fairly light. Quite honestly, I’ve really had nothing whatsoever to do with which clients are with me. That’s all been God’s responsibility and, of course, He never gives us more than we can take. Truly. Read it. It’s in the Bible.
Finally, over time you’ll observe that my caregiving experiences become fodder for my blog posts. It’s so much easier to write about stuff that’s actually happened or is currently happening than to try concocting something pretend.
Thankfully, as a normal course my operation runs like a veritable machine. In fact, that’s exactly how I look at it and talk about it. So much of it hinges, literally, on routine. I just add gas and oil.
Some people don’t like routine. I guess they’d rather have chaos. I love it. I like to find a nice comfortable rut and stay in it!
And when it comes to taking care of folks that have some degree of disability, the routine is one of the primary supports that truly helps them feel secure. When they feel comfortable and secure, so much more in the way of accomplishment is possible for the caregiver.
So when people wonder how I do it all, my standard answer is this: Routine and latex gloves, Baby!
You’re in Home Care Country!
Make yourself comfortable because here you’re “at home.”
Brad
