A Grandparent's Decline Can be Frightening to a Child

I had a terrible cold on the 4th of July when I was 6. I had to miss the celebration, but I wasn't too sad because Dad promised I could use my sparklers when I was well.  

A few days later, completely over my cold, I visited Grandma and my two aunts. Grandma spent most of her time in bed and my aunts took care of her.  

I excitedly announced I was going to use my sparklers that night!

My Grandma called to my aunts, asking if it was the 4th of July. I was stunned. Adults were supposed to know everything. For Grandma to WONDER if it was a holiday was unthinkable!

I didn't tell anyone that I was scared by what Grandma said. And no one noticed that I was no longer excited about my sparkers….

As an adult I wrote the story of Johnny, a little boy who thinks his grandmother doesn't love him anymore because she is acting strangely. Mommy explains about Grandma's illness in a way that comforts Johnny.

I hope the book, Special Secret Hearts: A Child's Introduction to Dementia, will help parents cope with their children's fears about aging family members.

Special Secret Hearts is part of a 2 in 1 book illustrated by children for children.

You can read an excerpt here: http://wwwhttp://booklocker.com/6401

See my books on Amazon here: http://amzn.to/KhvXA8

 

Caregiving and the Sandwich Generation

A recent article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch discusses an innovative solution for elder care--young adults are living with their grandparents so they can care for each other.
Read the full article here:

http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/creative-caregiving-solutions-for-the-sandwich-generation/article_a2870605-04c6-5237-8a01-df788cf251dd.html

A Frightening 4th - When I Was 6

I was sick on the 4th of July when I was 6 years old. Dad promised, though, that I could use my sparklers when I was well. I was visiting my aunts and grandma at their house a few days later and excitedly told them that I was going to use my sparklers that night. Grandma called an aunt over and asked if it was the 4th of July.

I was terrified at Grandma's question! At the age of 6, I was absolutely certain that adults knew everything. Yet here was my Grandma not knowing if it was the 4th of July! Unthinkable. I didn't tell anyone that I was frightened and no one realized that I was upset about something. I kept trying to puzzle out what was happening. I can still feel how scary it was to realize that an adult might not even know what day it was!

And so all these years later I have written the story of Johnny, a little boy who thinks his grandmother doesn't love him anymore because she is acting differently. Mommy explains about grandmother's illness in a way that makes Johnny happy.

Unlike me, Johnny is sad rather than afraid. Also unlike my true-life experience, Johnny's mom realizes something has upset him and helps him.

I wrote the story to help families cope with a difficult problem that occurs so often: a child dealing with the decline of a loved one. I hope my story is of help to you.Special Secret Hearts: a Child's Introduction to Dementia  http://amzn.to/KhvXA8