Tag: relatives

No matter what stage of motherhood you are in, you have probably wished at some point that someone had been around to tell you all the things you had to learn the hard way.

You've probably read quite a few parenting books, which can be helpful, but no book covers all the bases. What advice do you wish someone had shared with you once you became a mother?

Most of the lessons I have learned have been through trial and error and I certainly wish that someone had told me the best places to nurse in my local mall, for example, or what the real story is with vaccinations—almost like cliff notes for parenting.

For most couples that have relatives or parents who live to be in their 70s, 80s and 90s, there comes a time when you or your spouse, or both, have to assist them with their daily tasks. To avoid unnecessary strain on your marriage and the relationship with other family member, it's best to be prepared. There are several ways of going about this, but here are what I consider some musts:

1. Choose a person in the family who is willing and able to personally care for the aging relative: Make certain this person has time to commit and is also available 24/7 to act as the point person. Very often, several family members tend to get involved.