For years, my favorite title was ‘Daddy.’ Now with grandchildren on the scene, my favorite has become ‘Papa.’ Pondering these monikers has prompted me to consider those influential role models in my life outside of my own father.
You may be familiar with the proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child.” The saying emphasizes that a child’s upbringing is a communal effort, involving various groups and individuals from parents to teachers to neighbors and extended family. It is also a gentle reminder that it is all right to ask for assistance. Child rearing is challenging work. While my parents did an excellent job raising me, I also recall that neighbors had my parents’ permission to correct me if they saw me doing something inappropriate, or to report on me if they saw me misbehaving. I imagine you can never have enough eyes on a child.
Positive influences in my youth included Mr. Bernie, my father’s best friend, who taught me how to swim, and my Little League coaches, who taught me the importance of teamwork. As an adolescent, I appreciated the wisdom of my grandfather, who had only an eighth-grade education, and various summer camp counselors who I later learned took time off from work to spend a week at camp with a bunch of kids. Their example impacted greatly on me as an adult when I was moved to volunteer at summer camp when my own children were old enough to attend. Oh, the pleasure of driving a fifteen-passenger van full of children in eight hours to the mountains of North Carolina😊.
It also takes a village to care for a loved one. Families very much understand the stress and weariness involved in caring for an elderly family member. It is a tremendous challenge when older individuals attempt to care for an aged spouse or parent.
Primacare Companions come alongside families to help absorb some of the strain involved in caring for those most dear to us. The work of Primacare Companions is as much for family members as it is for the client themselves. Primacare Companions also receive as much as we give. Our caregivers get to hear about our clients’ life experiences and acquire a great deal of wise counsel just from listening. The client/caregiver relationship is a two-way street that benefits more than just one or two individuals. The special bond formed between client and caregiver permeates through many.
It is a joy to serve our clients. Feel free to contact us for a complimentary assessment.
If you or a loved one could benefit from dependable support, the caring team at Primacare Companions is here to help. We provide trusted, compassionate in-home care in Baltimore, MD, designed to support comfort, confidence, and independence every day. Call us today at (410) 988-NURS(6877) to learn more about how we can assist your family.
Primacare Companions proudly serves Baltimore, Catonsville, Halethorpe, Owings Mills, Reisterstown, Linthicum, Arbutus, Columbia, Ellicott City, Hanover, and surrounding areas, delivering courteous, consistent, and compassionate support wherever you call home.
