Are You in a Caregiving Relationship and Don't Know It? Finding a Balance of Loving and Caring by Wendy Packer and Linda J. Parker is a fresh and surprising look at the roles of caregivers and care receivers. Although we often don't realize it, every relationship, from casual to lifelong committed, is a caregiving and care receiving exchange. You won't read many pages into this thoughtful book before you will know the answer to the question the title poses, "Yes, you are in a caregiving relationship... dozens of them!" You will always be in caregiving and care receiving relationships, creating both rewards and challenges for you. How you handle the physical and emotional demands of caregiving determines the quality of your relationships; the quality of your life; and a great deal about the quality of life in our society. This book will open your eyes to the relationship and caregiving inevitabilities, realities, and responsibilities we all face. It offers both practical insights into the ways we deal with our caregiving roles and inspiring encouragement for how to lighten your load and become a caregiver for yourself. Wendy Packer brings her years of experience as a Registered Nurse, Nurse Educator, Certified Consulting Hypnotist, Reiki Master/Trainer, and caregiver to this unique and reflective message that targets both traditional caregivers while equally emphasizing that all of us are always in relationships that need to be more about both caring and loving. Wherever you are in your life's journey right now, you need to read this book; you will never look at your relationships in the same way again. Read this book and discover how to bring more love to your caregiving relationships and more caring to your love relationships. The book's Foreword, written by Mr. Eldercare, Martin R. Sabel, explains, "Whether you are a caregiver now or know someone who is, you're about to open a refreshing, new window on your life. When you finish reading Are You in A Caregiving Relationship and Don't Know It? you'll never look at the role of caring for another person the same way again. I know because it happened to me ...and caught me completely by surprise in the process! Linda and Wendy approach defining caregiving in a way I've not seen elsewhere. This book is both subtle and thought provoking. It's written from a deep well of love and understanding about people, particularly the "hidden army" of family caregivers doing the heroes work of caring for a child, spouse or parent. It's refreshing, eye-opening, and heart opening at the same time." Gary Edward Barg, Editor-In-Chief, Today's Caregiver magazine and caregiver.com, says, "I am extremely excited about Are You in a Caregiving Relationship and Don't Know It, I think it is a great addition to the important services Wendy has been providing for caregivers over the years. Keep up the good work, Wendy." Emily S. Finkelstein, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center, says, "Thank you Wendy and Linda for writing this fresh, uncomplicated, and eye-opening look at how caregiving and care receiving are entwined in every relationship we have during our life's journey. The caregiver must begin by caring for him or herself, which is a necessity that most caregivers neglect. Until you read this book, you may not realize how important it can be to honor both the needs of others and your own needs with your relationships. Care for yourself and read this book!" Elsom Eldridge Jr, EdM, Harvard, Executive Director at Centerpoint Foundation International, Inc., says, "This book will tell you how to perform Caregiving miracles without sacrificing your own happiness."
About the Author: Wendy Packer is a Registered Nurse, is a dynamic lecturer and workshop leader whose speaking engagements include hospital grand rounds, support groups and civic organizations. She is a teacher in the adult education arena as well as a R.N. Educator. Her nursing career spans decades working in hospitals, clinics, home care and doctor's offices. She has added to her professional training the skills of Certified Consulting Hypnotist and Reiki Master/Trainer. She speaks frequently on the importance of taking care of self as a caregiver and is the creator of a social network for caregivers in all caring roles. Linda J. Parker is a business writer, editor, and author of multiple books with a resume of noted marketing and advertising campaigns.