Product Description

One of the toughest phases of life comes when you realise that one of your parents is becoming dependent on you. This book follows the stories of other people who have been there before, and offers advice and ideas for coping with the guilt, the emotional stress, the conflicting pressures on your time, and the family tensions that can arise.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #156143 in Books
• Published on: 2006-05-22
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

About the Author
Rosie Staal is a journalist, writer and editor and has worked on newspapers and magazines in the Westcountry, the Home Counties and the Far East. She edits a monthly lifestyle magazine and divides her time between Dorset and Italy. Her husband is also a journalist and she has a son and daughter, to whom she hopes she will never become a burden.

Customer Reviews

What shall we do with mother
When I read this book I laughted and cried in equal measure. A wonderful book, which I wish Rosie Staal had written a few years ago when my mother first showed signs of being dependent on me. It make me see that I am far from alone, and there are many out there whose situation is far worse. The book also made me face up to my hidden fears about my mother's health. It gave lots of useful advice, even for someone like me with a stubborn parent. I am now passing the book to my daughters for them to read - to give them ideas on how to cope if I become dependent on them when I'm elderly!

A timely reminder for everyone
I must admit that when I first saw this book I thought it wouldn't be relevant to me for a few years, my parents are only in their 60s and decisions about their care seem a long way off. But the more I read, the more I realised that it's vital to consider the issues raised in this book before any problems arise and emotions take over. What makes this book essential reading is the relaxed, funny and incredibly clear way in which it deals with complex emotional and practical issues. It's like having a crystal clear explanation of your options from a good friend who's been there and done it. Highly recommended.

A good icebreaker for a difficult conversation
I loved this book - becoming a parent to your own parents is such a difficult and emotional time and their care is an almost impossible conversation to have with them - kind of like discussing funeral arrangements - so care decisions get left until the last minute when inevitably, they are made in a crisis and are made so much more complicated by the stress, guilt and anxiety of it all. This book, with humour and sensitivity, makes you see that you are not alone and is a brilliant ice-breaker - read it first, then lend it to your parent!