Reviews for Winning: A Story of Grief and Renewal
5 stars. “Reading this was like reading my life, my symptoms and things that have happened to me. I lost my husband in 2019 and my mum in 2021. Grief brain, forgetfulness, struggling to get through days, wondering how to get through days, hearing the “you’re so strong” platitudes when all you want to do is yell about how people don’t see you crying into your pillow. Grief is a tough path to walk. Friends and family very often think that you will ‘move on’ and do not understand that grief is not fixable. You’ll always have the pain of that person. The gap where they stood with you. This book fills the gap in that it explains everything so well. Not from a “textbook management to grief” but from a real life “here’s what happened to me” approach. Thank you for your honesty, integrity and for the rawness of the read. This subject needed it.”
– Joanne Hattersley, for NetGalley
“As someone who has lost two of the most precious people in my life in the last few months, I find myself reaching for books like Harriet Hodgson’s Winning: A Story of Grief and Renewal in the hope that they will provide me with some measure of solace.
Reading about others who have experienced profound and brutal grief, and found their way through it, is the only thing that gives you hope that you will get through it too.
When it feels as if one is drowning in sadness, books published by psychology experts are all very well, but advice that’s grounded in personal experience is far more meaningful. And the techniques, tips and practical strategies – as Harriet Hodgson provides aplenty in this book – are lifesavers.”
– Farah Ghuznavi, for NetGalley
“Of her own grief Harriet Hodgson opens Winning saying, ‘My emotions jumped around like crickets on a summer night.’ She then proceeds masterfully to tell her tale, which will meet readers exactly where they are. Anyone who is experiencing grief will certainly find solace in the pages of Winning. Harriet’s words are like a warm sweater hanging in the closet, there to put on when needed. This book is not, however, just for grieving readers. Winning has life lessons knit up in its pages useful for just about everyone, now in preparation for times to come when ‘life comes to a standstill.’ Winning is reinforcing of relationships in general and the give and take that defines both life and love.Winning outlines the ways in which we all, at times, must wash our faces, pull up our socks, and press on. Harriet Hodgson becomes the gentle voice of a you-can-do-too cheerleader.
Grief is born of loss. Often that loss is one of death. Most everyone who lives into adulthood will experience grief adherent to loss from death. There are other times we grieve, however. We grieve before, during, and after relationship losses and job losses, losses of security, losses of hope, losses of expectation, and losses of physical and cognitive abilities. Often we don’t even know our emotions are those of grief. Consider how important it is to reach for this book before one is fought in the depths of grief. It is a roadmap and preparation for a mountainous trek that might lie just around the corner. Indeed, from chapter to chapter, Winning begs to be in the hands of everyone. Friends and family of those who grieve will learn about the process and will see themselves positioned better to help. Medical students and health care providers, pastors, parents, counselors of all sorts can learn much in Winning they can use to validate and reassure. It is a window into a world many already inhabit with others soon to join.
Harriet Hodgson does not insist in any way. She just lays her self-reflective experience at her readers’ feet. She doesn’t tell readers what is wrong with them, but suggests what is right. Oft we all hear, ‘Just breathe.’ Well Harriet Hodgson in Winning will tell how! How to divert one’s mind. How at once to cast and catch a life rope. Harriet puts words to very real concepts and her terminology then allows readers to think about and understand grief in constructive ways. The strengthening ideas she puts into her readers’ quivers include grief brain, girders, collective grief, five-minute vacations, anticipatory grief, linking objects, setbacks, backward thinking, and the need for ‘nothing days.’ She is not preachy but humble. Readers who open her pages will discover triumphs and hurdles relatable and organically shared; wind is found for everyone’s sails.”
– Linda Pagnano, Esquire and bereaved daughter
Reviews for Daisy a Day: Hope for a Grieving Heart
5 stars. “WOW, I am the first person to write a review about this inspirational and short book about dealing with grief work after losing many loved ones–one right after another–in my case. I found this book to be helpful as a guide. I also could relate to this author, who has also lost several loved ones close together in time, also.She says sometimes we get “grief brain”. That is explained by easily misplacing things. I did that this Winter when I was in a car accident. I was injured, but not seriously. I was bleeding badly and I was in my neighborhood, when my car skidded into a tree. When I got out and saw my car’s front end destroyed–I lost my car keys. I thought for sure I left them in my car. I was in shock. Somehow, I managed to find them. They were missing from where I normally would put them. Luckily I found them. This is what I related to “grief brain”.In 2012, I tragically lost my only sister suddenly and it was not expected. She was my best friend and I probably miss her everyday. She was five years younger than me. I was shocked and still feel a stone in my stomach when I read this book. It has been ten years and it isn’t any easier.In 2015, my mother died of bone cancer which started out as hip pain. It was fast. She died in a matter of months. It was difficult but close to my loss of my sister.In 2018, my father died of Stage 4 lung cancer that spread to his bones and although I had anticipated both of my parents dying, I miss him still and I wasn’t prepared for his death. The author mentions “anticipatory grief” in this book. I don’t know if one is ever fully prepared for the death of a family member even though you expect them to die. I think that it is easier to grieve when you know that you will inevitably lose your parents. Not so much with a younger sibling.This book has many helpful tips. They are broken up into small chunks of information.She speaks of writing your loved one a letter saying goodbye if you didn’t get that chance and saving it. I thought that is helpful.She speaks of people who can’t handle grief with people whom they know that just lost a loved one. She saw someone in a supermarket that she knew who turned their shopping cart around and walked in the opposite direction. (Brutal!)A Certified Grief Counselor can help you to move forward she explains. I will recommend this book to those who have experienced a sudden loss of a loved one. Keeping a gratitude journal or just a plain journal can be an inexpensive form of therapy. Joining a Grief Support group and listening or making friends with a widow or widower and asking how they cope. Going for a fifteen minute walk. Spending time outside or sitting in the sun.”
– Karen Murphy, for NetGalley
“This book was well written and had so many good tips. I am currently not going through a grieving process at the moment but I will remember the useful information this book provided me!”
– Miranda Vasko, for NetGalley
Reviews for Grief Doodling
5 stars. “Books like this one are so important. While I am not experiencing grief currently, I can certainly see how the distraction and creativity of doodling would prove helpful for someone who is grieving but moving towards healing. There’s a special little boy in one of my classes I intend to suggest use this book.”
– Eiyana Favers (Librarian), for NetGalley
5 stars. “This is a good book for grieving children. It has instructions on each page for different doodles. This is a good distraction technique for kids who have recently had a loss. I’ve never seen a book like this before and I think it would be a good tool for children or adults.”
– Anne Edester, for NetGalley
5 stars. “I’m a doodler. My notebooks are full of squiggles, flowers, and designs. In fact, I carry a doodling notepad and colored markers to draw while I listen to seminars and meetings. When I saw ‘Grief Doodling’ listed as being available for advance release review, I crossed my fingers and toes that the publisher would grant me the opportunity. The book combines my love of doodling with my love of therapeutic tools. My crossing worked and my hopes were not crushed in that this book is everything I hoped it might be.
Hodgson opens the book with a doodling ‘how to’ guide that will prompt the reluctant but not tether those familiar with the process. She then takes time to explain the benefits of doodling as a part of processing thoughts as one is grieving. Each page that follows gently nudges the reader to consider their grief journey while creating. She isn’t sly with her intentions but remains gentle and affirming.
For clinical use, this book would be a fantastic tool for homework to take the place of an open journal. It will appeal to older elementary aged children through adults as it is simple and self-guided. Outside of the therapeutic setting, this would make a nice gift for a loved one experiencing grief. Once completed, “Grief Doodling” serves as a time capsule of memories and progress through a difficult period.”
– Lauren Geier, for NetGalley
5 stars. “This is such a good book for any child that is going through grief. The whole book talks about how you will feel and what you can do about it. Each page gives you the ability to fill in some already doodled pictures. The author also gives you examples of doodles and how to make them. This would be wonderful and needed for any child who is trying to help themselves with grief. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.”
– Christine Rankins (Educator), for NetGalley
“This is a sweet book that gives children prompts for doodles to create to help deal with their grief. It is written by someone who has been there and I appreciated that she didn’t pretend that grief would end or that you’d get to the other side of it. The prompts were sometimes more helpful for me personally than others. In some cases I felt that they relied too much on artistic talent, like instructing kids to draw themselves and their loved one doing something. I preferred the prompts that let you use symbolism instead, as many kids would probably get hung up on their doodles not looking enough like the people. Still, this is likely to be a helpful book for grieving kids. Teens and adults may also find it helpful.”
– Alicia Bayer, for NetGalley
5 stars. “Here is a vitally important children’s title for social services workers, parents, grandparents … well, everyone, everywhere who suffered the loss of someone they love.
Grief Doodling: Bringing Back Your Smiles, written and illustrated by Harriet Hodgson offers a kind, gentle approach to the heavy subject of grief by using a physical process to express a feeling that is difficult for some learners to put into words.
This book is precisely what it says. It is a personal journey through pen and paper to understanding and accepting a recent life loss. Grief doodling, according to designer Steven Heller, is the art of thinking, which means that the practice of doodling helps a person’s mind calm down and allow tension to float away while they are drawing simple shapes and forms about whatever subject is on their mind at the time of creation.
Doodling stills the mind so that it can gather facts. Doodling transmits ideas as it allows the person doodling to express themselves; it helps the mind pay closer attention to the inner subject rolling around in a person’s head.
Hogson writes that additionally, doodling improves memory, releases feelings, is creative, and helps the doodler know him or herself. It can be spiritual but does not have to be. Doodling is whatever the doodler’s mind wants it to become.
And that is why doodling is the perfect application to present hands-on learners while processing the subject of grief. Because grief, Hogson says, is a journey and doodling offers beacons of light on that path.
This book is excellent. Among its contents are doodling technique tips, examples of an object that might represent sadness, stormy thoughts, or sunny days. There are no rules in this art title, which is the ultimate freedom for readers to work through their confusing, waves of feelings.
Grief Doodling: Bringing Back Your Smiles, is listed as a children’s title. But honestly, this one is perfect for my 57-year-old mind to use. I don’t know about anyone else, but in my case, when grief hits my heart and my breath catches in my throat, I feel very childlike; vulnerable, afraid, and unsure how to proceed. For my personality, processing confusing, sophisticated feelings with this approach is perfect.
Let’s take a quick look inside.
Hogson presents the process of grief in a visual way and its pages lead the doodler through the classic five-stage grief process; denial, anger, depression, bargaining, and acceptance.
Just reading this book’s intended message and thumbing through its pages, compels my mind to raise the subject of my latest grief process and challenge me to consider if I’ve made it through myself. This is the epitome of the word ‘workbook.’
Social workers, funeral homes, families, emergency staff, anyone who interacts with this inevitable, awkward, and emotional phase of life should at least have quick access to this 60-page title. Sometimes the best way we can help another person process their grief is by not saying anything at all. Instead, Grief Doodling: Bringing Back Your Smiles can do the talking for you.”
– Michelle Lovato, for NetGalley
5 stars. “What a wonderful book! I requested it based upon the doodling part. At this time, I have no grief in my life. The author has a charming way to address grief with doodling. The book is appropriate for all ages of persons to use. She gives handy tips for the types of pens and paper to use for doodling. She mentions when the best time is for doodling (anytime) and where (anywhere) to help you to cope with the things that are giving you stress.
There are a lot of whimsical doodles that the author gives you to use. I will use them and using her instructions adapt them with my own designs. This book will help you open your mind to the different possibilities for successful doodling if you are new to doodling. Highly recommend.”
– Tina Cay, for NetGalley
“In the book Grief Doodling by Harriet Hodgson prompts are given to create doodles to help deal with grief. This book could be used as a resource for therapists when working with individuals who are working through grief to allow the child (or any aged person) to express themselves.”
— Carol Campbell, NetGalley
5 stars. “Such a beautiful book for any age and any person going through grief. The author describes how exactly doodling can help overall in our life, facts about doodling, and different tools that you can doodle with. Then each page has a different doodle prompt you can follow and a small text that helps ask you a question or helps in healing. Things such as Nature is Healing, Linking Objects, In Memory, A New Day, and so much more. I am grateful I came across it as my children have lost a few grandparents and our beloved dog without warning this last year, and I know my daughter especially will really love this book.”
— Elizabeth Wollner, NetGalley
5 stars. “I am so grateful for this book. And please do not listen to anyone telling you that doodling doesn’t help in life. Yes, they do. Because I have gone through rough phases of my life and doodling did help me go through them without feeling everyone needed to understand me.
This book is exactly just that.
Full of doodling tips and quite helpful, but never preaching anything about the matter, the ones who have compiled this book do show that grief is something to get over with.”
— Reading Tamishly
5 stars. “This is a fantastic workbook for anyone who has lost someone — at any age. You’re definitely going to cry, but it’ll be worth it. I lost my dad when I was 12. Since then I’ve both been very interested in things meant for grieving children and deeply skeptical of those same things. The world is getting better about how we treat grieving kids, but tbh we’ve got a long way to go. Going into this, I didn’t have super high expectations because of past experiences, but I was so happy to be wrong here. This is wonderful. Highly recommend.”
— Kaycie O’Donnell, NetGalley
5 stars. “I think it is so important to talk about the difficult topics with children and teenagers…and even with adults! This book gave me a way to talk about grief with various client populations. I think it does a really good job of discussing a challenging topic.”
— Amber D., NetGalley
Reviews for The Grandma Force
5 stars. “The Grandma Force is filled with incredible information and encouragement. I learned so much from this book. When I saw the cover, I was already sold. Harriey Hodgson didn’t need to work very hard to convince me of the importance of grandma’s. I was raised by mine and my children are deeply connected to theirs.
What surprised me is how quickly I would be drawn into the pages of this book and how much I would learn. I am more convinced than ever that grandma’s are the solution to so many of the problems the world faces today!
Great book, delightful read. All around wonderful choice!”
– Regina Chari (Educator), for NetGalley
Reviews for So, You’re Raising Your Grandkids
“Author Harriet Hodgson has written a heartwarming account of her experiences raising her grandchildren as the result of the tragic loss of their parents. Interwoven with her own family’s challenges are wise words for all grandparents raising grandchildren. Hodgson’s expertise in caregiving and grief counseling contributes greatly to the help and healing this book offers.”
— Deborah Doucette, Author of Raising Our Children’s Children: Room in the Heart, Writer, Blogger for the Huffington Post, Support Group Leader, raised and adopted her granddaughter
“It is common to see grandparents raise their grandkids. The reasons vary from the children getting in trouble, passing away, divorce, teen pregnancies, parents being in jail, not being in a capacity to raise the kids, or not having the right parental skills. Grandparents raising grandkids may seem easy, but it’s not. Harriet Hodgson takes us through the struggles, the fun times that create the relationship children have with their grandparents.
Harriet Hodgson uses real-life example to delivery some poignant and sage advice. She raised her daughters’ children, and so speaks from a position of experience throughout the book, but not as a teacher, more as a knowing grandparent. The kids were twins and raising them was an amazing experience. The author notes how difficult it can be when grandkids ask for information which you think would be best explained by their parents. Losing her daughter was painful. Grieving for her daughter, the twin’s father, her brother, and father in law was among the lowest moments in her life.
This book reads like a parenting guide for grandparents. Some may feel that, since they are grandparents, they know how to raise kids. But remember, you are raising kids from a different perspective now and this book illuminates those differences and helps you tackle them. The author writes about family values and helps one understand what children want and how they should be treated. Raising teens can be an uphill task for anyone. The writer shares her experience raising her grandkids in their teen years, and how adolescents react to issues.
The tips Harriet Hodgson shares should be mastered by everyone as they will always come in handy at some point in life. The book is written in a flowing style, with the author listing her thoughts then explaining later in detail. This book not only educates you on parenting, but also helps to understand and cope with grief.
Throughout the bok Harriet Hodgson words are backed by research and science. That is the other amazing thing about this book. Everything listed is a fact, and one gets to understand how some families come to be. From the texts in the book, one can tell that Harriet is excellent at care-giving.
I’ve learned a lot just by reading this book. Mourning can take a toll on someone, but there is always that period where you rise up. The author did well by talking about stress and the effect it has on kids and how one should take care of their health. You understand how you can encourage a child to aim higher and get to the peak in everything they do.”
“This book was very helpful to me. I am raising my grandchildren and sometimes I feel totally alone. This book shows me that I am not alone through very valuable stories and tips.”
– Lisa Garrett for NetGalley
Reviews for The Family Caregiver’s Cookbook
5 stars. “I received ‘The Family Caregiver’s Guide’ from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I do enjoy reading cookery books and this is one gem of a cookbook aimed at Caregivers. If only I had a book like this when my late mother was alive, as it would have saved me a lot of work. Nonetheless, many of these recipes will come in useful. There are quite a lot of tips and some of which I really ought to start to consider. I must change some of my ways to make life easier, especially when it comes to making extra for another day. I cannot tell you what my favourite recipe is, as there were many that were making my mouth water. I will recommend this book to all, especially for those who are caring for family etc.” – Jeanette Styles for NetGalley
“This is a beautifully organized cookbook for caregivers who need ideas for wholesome, time sensitive, and straight forward meals. My favorite recipes by far were the Java Chilli and the Wine Spaghetti bother simale bUT rearly good. This book would be great with the addition of more pictures of the recipes, the ingredients, the prepping and the finished meals. The lists, icons and design of the text make it very reader friendly for even the novice cook.” – Mindith Rahmat for NetGalley
“I love this cookbook. It is well laid out and so easy to understand. The caregiver tips are awesome. The stories are inspiring. I can hardly wait to try the fresh strawberry pie.” – Darlene Blackwell for NetGalley
5 stars. “At some point in our life, most of us will become a caregiver. Most of the time we won’t be prepared for it. It can be difficult and finding time to do everything including preparing special diets, medicines, appointments, etc. on top of our daily responsibilities, so where does one take shortcuts to help? In the food prep area, of course. It’s quicker and easier to serve prepared, frozen or canned food, but in the end, it’s far from healthy with the high sodium contents as well as other drawbacks including lack of taste. The Family Caregiver’s Cookbook fills that need for good, nutritious, and healthy cooking that doesn’t require long cooking or prep times. Not only is the food nutritious but it tastes great! You can tailor your cooking to the dietary needs of the person you are caring for and still give them a quick and healthy meal that you can feel good about.The author, Harriet Hodgson wrote this book out of both experience and need to cook for her husband. She had 19 years caregiving experience, so you can be confident that this book is written by someone who knows what it’s like being in a caregiver’s shoes. She’s walked in them a long time!The Family Caregiver’s Cookbook has many delicious recipes that will not take long to cook, is nutritious and best of all, tastes delicious! Some of my favorites are the Swedish Meatballs, Tomato Basil Soup with Shells, Crispy Cod with Potato Chip Topping, Chicken and Mushroom Crepes, Granny Smith’s Apple-Dapple Muffins, to name a few. The recipes cover every meal, vegetable, and fruit as well as breads, snacks and deserts.I cannot sing the praises of this cookbook enough as it is packed full of the author’s experience. You’ll read her stories, hints, tips and of course the delicious recipes. There is so much information between the covers of this book, it will become your most used resource!!! ” – Theresa Dunlap, for NetGalley
Reviews for A Journal for Family Caregivers
“Caregiving can be rewarding, full of moments with happiness, laughter and sweet memories but it can also bring out sadness and stress. This journal is a positive start to evaluate yourself, destress and refocus on the development of caregiving. I feel like it got off to a slow start (explaining how/why to journal) but once the pages with affirmations and prompts began, I was immediately filled with my own thoughts and connections. In my situation, I am not the sole provider of care but I wondered what the reactions of a home health aide provided with this journal would be. This is definitely a great resource for a family caregiver.” – Maryuly Mendoza for NetGalley
“A journal with a purpose and goal beyond writing thoughts and feelings. The author’s technique of reading an affirmation and completing the writing prompt are excellent tools to get one writing. A blank page can be intimidating and with many thoughts flying around in my brain it can be hard to focus. This approach helps you channel your thoughts and may even help you sort out what is most worrying you. I like the fact that when the journal is complete, it may help guide you to an action plan. I also read recently that journaling is good for your blood pressure so be thankful and begin journaling.” – Sandra L. Weissler, Caregiver
“I am a medical social worker and was interested in this book as a professional resource. I really enjoyed it and it is something I will recommend to the families I work with. I liked the layout of this and I found it to be easy to use/follow along with. Caregiving is an exhausting experience, both physically and mentally, and I think it’s important for caregivers to have tools like this to help them through the hard days.” – Alisa Cook, Medical Social Worker
Reviews for The Family Caregiver’s Guide
“The Family Caregiver’s Guide is a must-read for all caregivers, whether family or professional. Harriet Hodgson backs up each chapter topic with an impressive list of resources. Her personal stories add credibility to this research. The Smart Steps at the end of the chapters are excellent. Although Harriet writes about the challenges of caregiving, she also writes about its positive impact on her life. A Registered Nurse and certified counselor, I worked in home health for ten years and was a caregiver for my mother and husband. The Family Caregiver’s Guide is the best caregiving book I have ever read. I hope it is required reading for all professionals and available to families everywhere.” – Mary Amundsen, BSN, MS Counseling, Caregivers’ Support Group Leader
Midwest Book Review…
“As informed and informative as it is real-world practical and thoroughly ‘user friendly’ in organization and presentation, “The Family Caregiver’s Guide” should be considered reading essential for anyone anticipating or already engaged in caring for a loved one in the family home.
Of special note are the chapters on ‘What Skills do You Need?’ and ‘Getting Ready for Home Care’. Particularly useful are the three Appendices: Home Safety Checklist; Medicine Cabinet Supplies; Terms to Know. Simply stated, a copy of Harriet Hodgson’s “The Family Caregiver’s Guide” should be a part of every community library, senior citizen center, and family counseling center instructional reference collection. For personal reading lists it should be noted that “The Family Caregiver’s Guide” is also available in a Kindle edition.” – Helen Dumont, Midwest Book Review
“Whether you are just beginning your caregiving journey, or you’ve been in the trenches for a long time, The Family Caregivinger’s Guide provides a structure that will help you organize your thoughts and develop a framework for dealing with everything from improving communication with your care receiver, to assessing your own skills and needs, to maintaining a home-like atmosphere while adapting your house to accommodate medical equipment such as grab bars and hospital beds.
Don’t be deceived by the length of the book. It is only 149 pages, but every paragraph is packed with practical, applicable advise that will be helpful to you as your care receiver’s condition progresses. I especially love the Smart Steps list at the end of each chapter. I would recommend posting these steps on your refrigerator for easy reference. I was also impressed with the Assessment Checklist, Home Safety Checklist, and Medicine Cabinet Supplies list.
The combination of the author’s personal stories with the expert medical advise provided by her husband provides insights that only come with extensive experience. I will buy this book for friends, list it as an important resource on my website, and recommend it to anyone who is trying to figure out how to manage the incredibly difficult physical, mental, and emotional aspects of caring for a loved one who can no longer care for him/herself. ” – Elaine K Sanchez, Author, Speaker, Co-founder of CaregiverHelp.com
“Harriet’s latest work is grounded in an honest approach to the full spectrum of what it takes to care. Her focus on the daily realities caregivers have to contend with is a refreshing perspective and one that caregivers at any stage could benefit from reading.” – Adrienne Gruberg, President/Founder, The Caregiver Space, www.thecaregiverspace.org
“Harriet Hodgson’s latest book, The Family Caregiver’s Guide, immediately put me at ease. The chapters are well organized. Checklists and questions, sprinkled throughout the book, give the reader opportunities to reflect about caregiving. Smart Tips at the end of each chapter act as a review of information. This is a must-read for new and experienced caregivers alike. Harriet has much to share with the caregivers of the world.” – Mary Jane Cronin, MA, LMHC, Cronin Counseling and Coaching, Largo, Florida, www.cronincounseling.com
“Harriet Hodgson has written many books about heart-wrenching events and does it again with The Family Caregiver’s Guide. The book is based on her eighteen years of caregiving experience. Harriet was her mother’s caregiver, twin grandchildren’s caregiver/guardian, and is her disabled husband’s caregiver today. Readers will benefit from the guide’s clear organization, extensive research, friendly writing, and 101 Smart Steps. Caregivers need all the help they can get. I would recommend The Family Caregiver’s Guide to any caregiver. It’s a winner!” –
Gloria Horsley, MFC, CNS, PhD, Cofounder and President of the Open to Hope Foundation, Co-Host of Open to Hope Radio and Television
“The Family Caregiver’s Guide is an informative resource for caring for an infirmed loved one. As a nursing professional and caregiver for my daughter, who sustained severe anoxic brain injury more than twelve years ago, I would have welcomed this easy-to-read guide. Even though I’m a RN, with a doctorate in public health systems management, when my daughter was injured I felt overwhelmed. The Family Caregiver’s Guide provides simple, easy-to-follow steps for caring for a loved one. The appendix contains checklists for creating a safe home environment and definitions of common medical terms. I love the personal touch Harriet Hodgson provides throughout the book, assuring caregivers that we are not alone to fend for ourselves in this chaotic healthcare maze. Each caregiver’s journey is personal, and the ability to go to any chapter when needed is a precious gem of this guide. I highly recommend The Family Caregiver’s Guide to professional and lay caregivers alike, because no caregiver should embark on this journey alone.” – Deborah Anzalone, Dr. PH, RN, CHES, Lighthouse Point, Florida
“Just when I think I’ve got this “caregiving” thing in control, Harriet Hodgson has come up with answers to issues and questions I haven’t confronted yet. The Family Caregiver’s Guide is filled with practical information that can be used to chart schedules, identify problems, and solve problems, all the while taking care of myself. Hodgson is as creative as to have you mentally reverse roles with the person you are caring for, and as practical as to encourage ten minutes of meditation a day for the caregiver. This book is presented differently than any other I’ve read on caregiving, and may be the only help book I’ll need from now on.” – Peggy Trumbo, dementia caregiver on the caregiver journey
“The Family Caregiver’s Guide by Harriet Hodgson is an excellent resource for individuals and family members who have taken on the new role of caregiver. Harriet has ‘walked the walk’ and is able to give the reader excellent insight, resources and inspiration as they take on this new normal. This easy to use guide provides shared experiences, useful tips and valuable resources that can make caregiving a little less stressful, a little more organized and hopefully a treasured experience in your life.” – Laurie Marreel, Executive Director, Elder Network
“My twenty-four year old daughter has severe Cerebral Palsy. She is like an infant and requires total care 24-7. When I saw The Family Caregiver’s Guide on Netgalley I knew I had to read it. Not many people can imagine what being a long term caregiver is like. Hodgson is also a caregiver and truly understands. This book was full of support, advice and resources…” – Sandra Theberge for NetGalley
“I thought this book was an awesome source of information for caregivers.. Being a caregiver can be very difficult especially when you have no idea where to begin or what resources are out there for you to use. This book covers it all.” – Lori Payer (Educator) for NetGalley
5 stars. “An extremely helpful and thorough guide for those who are responsible for the care of another. Complete with action lists, this guide will help many family members as well as friends navigate the complex task of organizing and providing care for a loved one in need. Caregivers will find solid advice here as they are helped through this difficult role.” – Dr. Amy “Aloha” Brandt for NetGalley
5 stars. “This book is a very thorough guide for any Caregiver that is dealing with a family member that has Alzheimers. It not only helps you to take care of someone else but also encourages you to take care of yourself in the process. I highly recommend this book for not only caregivers but medical personnel as well.” – Nickie Elliott, A Joy of Reading book blog
Reviews for Affirmations for Family Caregivers
5 stars. “As a caregiver for my son I personally found this book positive, uplifting and full of inspiration. Having been exploring Positive Psychology for some time and working personally with affirmations, I see them as a great way to turn a negative into a positive without negating how the experience or issue has made you feel. Harriet Hodgson in her introduction, gives an open and honest account of the tragedies in her life and how the results have had a life-changing knock-on effect on her life as she has stepped in at various stages to become caregiver to a steady stream of family members over the years, including her mother, her husband, and her orphaned twin grandchildren.
However, whatever job you do, even if it’s one you love involving people you love, there are guaranteed to be aspects of it that will irritate, exasperate, cause anxiety and stress, or just plain get you down! Harriet gives some great examples of how she has dealt with these occasions by writing her own affirmations – for example, in Chapter One, ‘My Caregiving Tasks,’ she writes ‘Changes in plans don’t throw me off balance; they activate my coping skills’ or ‘Every job has its messy aspects, and that makes me appreciate the non-messy aspects more.’ Furthermore, acknowledging the time constraints on caregivers, Harriet Hodgson has created an easily readable book, simply formatted and defined carefully by chapters without too much content. Harriet Hodgson, I applaud you!
Prior to reading this book I had spent a lot of time reading other peoples’ affirmations, but I had never thought to have a go at writing my own which reflect on my own personal experiences as a caregiver. I am now inspired to do so! I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!” – Joanna Windsor for NetGalley
Midwest Book Review
An affirmation is the act or an instance of affirming; state of being affirmed; the assertion that something exists or is true; something that is affirmed; a statement or proposition that is declared to be true; and the confirmation or ratification of the truth or validity of a prior judgment, decision, etc. “Affirmations for Family Caregivers” is an inherently thoughtful and thought-provoking, insightful and inspiring, comforting and supportive collection of single sentence affirmations that are very highly recommended for both senior center, community, and academic library collections.
5 stars. “Highly recommended as a gift or for your own personal use. There are many positive thoughts and common sense ideas for those who are caregivers or may have to be one in the future.” – Georgia Hamilton for NetGalley
“While my experience relates to a family member with a mental illness not a family member with a physical disability I found the advice of developing specific and appropriate affirmations to be very positive. The issues Harriet Hodgson raises about the health and well being of being a carergiver is spot on and her strategies of building strength both mentally and physically to make the most of what you have to deal with as a carer is inspiring. The book has lovely drawings and is well presented so that you can go to different sections without needing to read the whole book. Good to help writing ones own affirmations.” – Sharon Jarvis for NetGalley
“While I haven’t been a long term caregiver, I know many people, including Jose, who have been caregivers to a family member. I’ve seen how draining caregiving can be. When a family member relies on you completely to be there for them physically and emotionally it can be very challenging and draining. You lose sleep, you’re bone tired and that effects your behaviour.
The author has used her experiences to stress the importance of using affirmations to boost your spirit as a caregiver. The book has been organized by topic. For example, self-care, quiet time, responsibility, routine, etc.
Some sample affirmations:
Any one who takes care of someone knows that things don’t always go according to plan. An unexpected visitor. The ‘patient’ throwing a tantrum or taking a turn for the worse. It’s important to have a routine but also be creative. This affirms that.
I am not afraid to revise my task list when necessary. Creativity is an important part of each caregiving day.
Caregiving is a tough job. No doubt about that. But our first duty is to take care of ourselves. Jose has shared with me how when he looked after his mother, he made sure he went out every day and also asked people for help. So this affirmation made so much sense to me.
It’s amazing how a fifteen-minute walk helps me de-stree. Self-care is part of caregiving, and I take good care of myself.
This book will make a wonderful gift to a caregiver. And if you’re a caregiver consider getting the book for yourself.” – Corinne Rodrigues, Everyday Gyann
5 stars. “Inspiring and Uplifting!
Harriet knows being a caregiver is tough work. She has done it for a long time and has brought forth a marvelous book to assist those who lovingly care for others. This book is not just a breath of fresh air for someone toiling day in and day out for a loved one, it is genius. It provides a moment of respite and encouragement for those showing love every waking minute. These affirmations directly acknowledge the difficulties that can beset the caregiver as well as the receiver of care. Affirmations for Family Caregivers gets 5 STARS. I love this book!” —Mark Schultz, Amazon Reviewer