I'm really dreading this election year...
Mom keeps saying she is going to stop watching the news, because it causes her to worry so much, but the next thing I hear is the news. She has it on most of the day. She fights depression and it only makes her more depressed and have a bad attitude towards everything. If I go in sit in the same room with her she will let me change the channel, but she continues to talk about how bad everything is. Even though I live here and am her full-time care giver I can't sit and watch TV all day. Does anyone else have this issue?
For me, it wouldn't even be much of a change of climate. :)
Jeanne, we can pick you up in the spring if you bake the valentine cake.
I began setting Mom's TV on retro channels with the old great shows, food channel, PBS, anything nice. Still those anxiety inducing commercials creep in but at least the main subject matter is better than the news. Maybe you could ween Mom off the news and onto other shows that she will end up liking.
Hobbies are always a good way for me to get away from the tv, even a jigsaw puzzle if she is able, or an audiobook.
I'm in my mid sixties and I do the same thing! I am obsessed with CNN and watch it for hours a day then text with my 70 year old cousin about what a nightmare Trump is. I don't mean to take away from seriousness of the poster's problem with her mom but this thread is one of the best laughs I've had since I saw Sarah Palin trying to give her speech last night. lol
I wish you the best of luck with your mother as I know how stressful the constant doom and gloom can be, especially on the fox channels.
I do think though that good works helps balance that because helping others has been proven to be rewarding to individuals. So what can MomsCaregiver do from home?
MC, if your mother's mobility is limited to home, one thing she can do is send cards to the troops. I did that during the first Gulf War. These days we get plenty of free cards from charities. If she has arthritis in her hands, you can address the envelopes or print labels. Mom can think up different things to write about supporting the troops, words of cheer.
I believe these days that there are groups that will collect the cards and send them en masse to troops in country. A bit of online searching can help locate those groups.
There are also volunteer opportunities at food pantries, thrift shops, some hospitals in gift shops, senior centers. If she can travel by car, you could accompany her to help her get acquainted; provide support so she's not alone as she gets acquainted with others.
Eventually, there may be vans that pick up volunteers so she could ride with her new acquaintances. I see mobility/paratransit vans at the senior center on a regular basis.
Other groups make quilts for donation to NICU, animal shelters, and troops. You don't have to be an experienced quilter and from what I've read steps can be divided so your mother can do some assembly but not the quilting if she has trouble with tiny stitches. Or maybe she could help sort fabric.
Senior centers rely on volunteers to deliver meals; perhaps she could go a few days a week to help assemble the meals for others to deliver.
Hospitals sometimes needs volunteers to staff gift shops.
If she can get there and sit down while she's working, she might enjoy the social interaction.
I think the thing is to get her in an environment where she can socialize - unless the people are really obnoxious, that will help her refocus on positive issues.
Katie, I think the negativity is intended to scare us so we become addicted to watching more of the negative programs in hopes of a positive solution. On the other hand, perhaps more people are interested in that than in good works.
When you think about it, previous generations were in many ways at much more risk than we are, in some areas. We now have tornado sirens, 24/7 weather predictions, handheld devices that keep us up to date on inclement weather, whereas decades ago these early warning devices weren't available.
I always remember some of those old movies where a woman is outside hanging clothes, happens to see a funnel cloud, rushes home, gathers the family and heads for the tornado shelter. We don't even have to watch the skies to know about approaching inclement weather.
Houseplant, you've reminded me that some of the cable lineups also have music channels, ranging from racket a/k/a music to beautifully soothing mood or classical music. That would be good background for MomsCaregiver's mother to listen to if MC can find other projects for her to do.
CM, you are just too funny! How about those Victoria's Secret commercials when models slink around in their expensive underwear? The idea that someone is going to parade around in high heels in underwear is just so ridiculous.
There has to be something in it for both of them. No interest to me I can't vote.
Or, was it her double? Tina Faye?
The other day my Dad was watching football, some how Dad hit the Spanish language and I actually found the football announcers much more passionate about the game then that of the English speaking announcers :)
I believe she spoke about the domestic violence in yesterday's speech. I heard a sound bite on my local news where she said her son has PTSD and has come home a more hardened person. I don't know if she said more about it but I doubt it.
I'm not sure how much it will bother Trump to be honest. Her evangelical following will probably have sympathy for her as they did when her daughter gave birth out of wedlock. I think they are just two reality show personalities and the thought of either of them running this country is frightening....but funny to watch. Saturday Night Live should be a hoot from now on.
I'm sorry to take the thread off course everyone.
I love your idea of good works. I used to crochet blankets for shelter animals and make dog collars for rescues. I have neuropathy and arthritis now & I can't do that kind of work very often so I bought a loom to try to make rugs for the dogs to sleep on. Doing things for others is such a gift to oneself. I think sometimes it's the best medicine.
I think your observation that she and Trump are reality show personalities is very insightful. Neither were or are serious candidates - they just don't have the background, any more than someone like Martha Stewart would.
I think they're also way out of their league. Can you imagine if more reality show personalities decided to run for office? Can you imagine one of the Duck Dynasty or Duggars or that Honey Boo-boo running for office?
I admire your perseverance and adaptability, switching from crocheting to weaving to continue your charitable works. You're an inspiration!
Just a thought....do you have a serger? Charities have been sending these thin fleece blankets out with their solicitations. Although they don't provide much warmth individually, I've found that underneath a quilt they really increase the warmth level.
All that's needed for the fleece is to be serged around the edges. But it would involve tying off the threads.
Still, I think it's laudable that you've moved from one craft to another to continue your charitable efforts.
My mom was talking before she died and said Trump is always in the news because he "vents for America". (So politically incorrect it gets peoples attention). I told her if Trump wants to vent for America, then vent about the Social Security and aging of America. He has been silent on these timely issues. So Trump only deserves a limited amount of the public's attention. Your mom deserves something less stressful in her later years.
If your mom has large windows in her living or family rooms, consider a bird feeder. A few blue jays and squirrels competing for the seed is so fun to observe. Birds align themselves to your routine to a great extent. If they learn there will be seeds and peanuts window-side or in a specific yard space, they will visit. Some birds, such as disappointed blue jays, will actually let you know if they arrive and no peanuts are at the feeding station. Buying unsalted, in-the-shell peanuts is easiest and the least messy. (Sore peanuts in a closed plastic container). Birds usually take the peanuts in their beaks and fly away to eat or store for later. If younger family is around, birds appeal to all age groups and can even be a group project.
If it's set up properly, the feeding area will not require a lot of upkeep. Some cleanup is needed, but not a whole lot. If doves are in the area, set up a hanger-type feeder that accommodates the smaller and more agile birds. This serves to exclude large, messy doves or raven or crows. Hummingbird feeders outside a window is another fun idea.
There are many books as well as free information online about how to make the birds a part of your household. Since it requires a little planning, it's a way to engage her mind in something besides the TV.
Hummingbirds can be a good project for kids as well. There are citizen observation programs online for tracking the hummingbird migration. Scientists actually use the citizen observations to augment their studies. So, the citizen program can divert kids away from the TV as well. (A good child-grandma project for the more computer literate youngsters to engage grandparents).
I think all age groups have been flooded with bad politics/violence/ads on TV and can benefit from alternate activities. Especially activities that, if more than one generation is together, everyone can join in the activity if desired.
momscaregiver1 really deserves a prize for starting this discussion!
maybe if the Donald comes to visit they will find somewhere to nest.
As to bird feeders though, make absolutely sure that there's a squirrel proof saucer to keep the squirrels from raiding the bird seed. And make sure the feeder is far enough from the house that they can't leap onto it.