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We 3
Are you a Baby Boomer Caregiver? Are you being cared for by your adult children?
We 3 is a collection of stories – sometimes touching, sometimes hilarious, always authentic – about a baby boomer caring for her aging parents.
“There are many audiences for books of this type. People will read Ms. Snyder's work for: comfort from the feeling of aging, reflection of family closeness, to cope with caring for a loved one, and so much more.” – Travis Adams Irish
“I recommend this book! Theresa's collection of essays on living with her parents as their adult caregiver shed light on the ups and downs of re-combining the family unit after years spent apart.” – JKMohr
“The stories are charming, funny, thoughtful and informative for many of us who have, or will, taken care of our aging family.” – Marsha A. Schauer
We 3 is a collection of stories – sometimes touching, sometimes hilarious, always authentic – about a baby boomer caring for her aging parents.
“There are many audiences for books of this type. People will read Ms. Snyder's work for: comfort from the feeling of aging, reflection of family closeness, to cope with caring for a loved one, and so much more.” – Travis Adams Irish
“I recommend this book! Theresa's collection of essays on living with her parents as their adult caregiver shed light on the ups and downs of re-combining the family unit after years spent apart.” – JKMohr
“The stories are charming, funny, thoughtful and informative for many of us who have, or will, taken care of our aging family.” – Marsha A. Schauer
166 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 11, 2013
1 person is currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Theresa Snyder
36 books65 followersTheresa Snyder is a multi-genre writer with an internationally read blog. She grew up on a diet of B&W Scifi films like Forbidden Planet and The Day the Earth Stood Still. She is a voracious reader and her character driven writing is influenced by the early works of Anne McCaffrey, Ray Bradbury, Robert Heinlein and L. Ron Hubbard. She loves to travel, but makes her home in Oregon where her elder father and she share a home and the maintenance of the resident cat, wild birds, squirrels, garden,and occasional Dragon house guest.
Check out her other work at: http://www.TheresaSnyderAuthor.com
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Check out her other work at: http://www.TheresaSnyderAuthor.com
For a Free Sample of her work and to join her newsletter:
http://www.theresasnyderauthor.com/fr...
Twitter: http://Twitter.com/TheresaSnyder19
Join her on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/theresa.snyd...
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 24, 2015
A wonderful, real-life read; poignant, humorous, reflective and never self-pitying. Miss Snyder writes from the heart in an engaging style that draws you into her busy world as she tries to keep all the plates spinning in her life.(And there are many!) She writes endearingly about how she juggles with her job and home commitments, but in particular as a loving daughter caring for her beloved elderly parents. It is laugh-out loud in parts, but brings you close to tears at other times, when everyday struggles and pain are described in such a tender, heartfelt way. The author's powers of observation and recall are remarkable, while her positive spin on all things runs throughout this book. You cannot but feel huge admiration for this writer who manages to do all these things AND write so prolifically too! A highly recommended read, especially if you have similar challenges going on in your lives.
May 7, 2015
Wonderful homespun stories and wisdom on caring for aging parents and just being human. This book pulls together the author's columns published in a local paper over the course of several years. I enjoyed going through the daily joys and struggles of the author and her parents. There's a lot of humor and love in her family and for a short time I felt part of it. When the I finished I immediately went to her website to continue reading more. I'd love to see the garden her and her father worked on together or the bookcase they built for her mother. The author also gives practical advice like getting a wireless doorbell for her mother's room and bathroom so she can alert her daughter in the other part of the house when she needs help. If you are currently a caregiver this will make you feel you have someone right there with you. But there's so much about people and the magic of everyday life that anyone will be able to enjoy and relate to this book.
August 30, 2016
An insightful journey into the lives of two remarkable parents and one devoted daughter.
I admired the fact that Snyder stepped up to the mark when her parents were becoming less independent.
The novel is honest.
The author has not 'polished over' the difficult times, rather, she has given the reader a series of very thought provoking 'vignettes'. They allow a window into her world.
It's a heartwarming read, humorous in parts, sad in others as you witness the demise of two role model parents. Parents who are loved and treasured by many and have also been so generous with their lives.
It is fitting that Snyder has the gift of caregiver, a mantle passed onto her by her mum and dad.
Kudos, Ms Snyder - I salute you. Where others would shy away from such a responsibility, you have proved your dedication and worth in bucketloads.
I look forward to the next chapter in the journey.
I admired the fact that Snyder stepped up to the mark when her parents were becoming less independent.
The novel is honest.
The author has not 'polished over' the difficult times, rather, she has given the reader a series of very thought provoking 'vignettes'. They allow a window into her world.
It's a heartwarming read, humorous in parts, sad in others as you witness the demise of two role model parents. Parents who are loved and treasured by many and have also been so generous with their lives.
It is fitting that Snyder has the gift of caregiver, a mantle passed onto her by her mum and dad.
Kudos, Ms Snyder - I salute you. Where others would shy away from such a responsibility, you have proved your dedication and worth in bucketloads.
I look forward to the next chapter in the journey.
July 24, 2013
I loved the gentle humor and loving way that Ms. Snyder told of her experiences as a caregiver for her aging parents. Each chapter was originally published as an article in Ms. Snyder's local paper, "The Outlook." I was struck again and again by the gentle way the Snyders showed their love and gratitude for one another. I'm so glad that I read this book.
July 9, 2017
The title of this book intrigued me, so I took a chance.
Having nearly twenty years of combined experience educating young children, I completely understand and appreciate the importance of the caregiver role.
However, I have the utmost admiration and respect for those who care for the elderly because at least the children I care for have the capacity to learn something new and retain that knowledge. They have the ability to be disciplined and taught what’s right and wrong, what’s appropriate and not appropriate, what’s real and pretend. Some elderly people lose these means of discernment, depending on their age and mental state. They forget things, act out in public when events don’t go their way, and often times can’t do tasks by themselves. Unlike with children, where these things can be managed and, with proper discipline, prevented in the future, the elderly often have diseases and mental impairments which only worsen with time. Discipline is not warranted because they are not always acting out of their own defiance and stubbornness; their minds don’t always register that their behavior is inappropriate, and they cannot be taught to “behave properly.” It simply is what it is, and what it becomes with age.
It was refreshing to read this author’s journal entries about a-day-in-the-life-of-a-caregiver-for-the-elderly. While she shares the hardships of taking on such an enormous task of caring for both of her aging parents alone, she also sprinkles in humor and inspiration to offer a ray of hope for those who may be going through the same thing now or sometime in the future. She doesn’t claim to be a saint, stressing that just as they say it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a strong support system to care for aging parents, which she eloquently words as: “If family is the hardscape of your garden, then friends are the flowers.”
Reading this story was a bit nostalgic as well, for me. As this author explains, growing up, her home was the hangout house, and her parents took in a multitude of non-biological children, offering them loving, discipline when needed, and teaching them life skills that they were unable to attain anywhere else. My childhood home was just like this. After reading this book, I feel as if I know this author and her parents because we’ve had some of the same experiences – especially the one about the TV remote. Oh my goodness! My father does that same thing when he falls asleep in his easy chair.
There were just so many things I loved about this book. One of my favorite quotes was: “Sometimes caregivers need caregivers.” I can definitely identify with that sentiment, as I’m a person who always put others’ needs ahead of my own as well. It’s how I was raised.
In summation, the message I took from this book was: our parents raise us, wipe our noses and bottoms, dry our tears, help us pick out our clothes, feed us, and soothe our fears. Why should we not do the same for them when the time comes?
Though this wasn’t a perfectly edited read, it was engaging enough to keep me turning pages. I give it a BLUE-worm rating! I highly recommend it to anyone, as someday, EACH OF US will either be the ones doing the caregiving, or perhaps we will be on the other side of the equation, needing to be cared for.
Having nearly twenty years of combined experience educating young children, I completely understand and appreciate the importance of the caregiver role.
However, I have the utmost admiration and respect for those who care for the elderly because at least the children I care for have the capacity to learn something new and retain that knowledge. They have the ability to be disciplined and taught what’s right and wrong, what’s appropriate and not appropriate, what’s real and pretend. Some elderly people lose these means of discernment, depending on their age and mental state. They forget things, act out in public when events don’t go their way, and often times can’t do tasks by themselves. Unlike with children, where these things can be managed and, with proper discipline, prevented in the future, the elderly often have diseases and mental impairments which only worsen with time. Discipline is not warranted because they are not always acting out of their own defiance and stubbornness; their minds don’t always register that their behavior is inappropriate, and they cannot be taught to “behave properly.” It simply is what it is, and what it becomes with age.
It was refreshing to read this author’s journal entries about a-day-in-the-life-of-a-caregiver-for-the-elderly. While she shares the hardships of taking on such an enormous task of caring for both of her aging parents alone, she also sprinkles in humor and inspiration to offer a ray of hope for those who may be going through the same thing now or sometime in the future. She doesn’t claim to be a saint, stressing that just as they say it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a strong support system to care for aging parents, which she eloquently words as: “If family is the hardscape of your garden, then friends are the flowers.”
Reading this story was a bit nostalgic as well, for me. As this author explains, growing up, her home was the hangout house, and her parents took in a multitude of non-biological children, offering them loving, discipline when needed, and teaching them life skills that they were unable to attain anywhere else. My childhood home was just like this. After reading this book, I feel as if I know this author and her parents because we’ve had some of the same experiences – especially the one about the TV remote. Oh my goodness! My father does that same thing when he falls asleep in his easy chair.
There were just so many things I loved about this book. One of my favorite quotes was: “Sometimes caregivers need caregivers.” I can definitely identify with that sentiment, as I’m a person who always put others’ needs ahead of my own as well. It’s how I was raised.
In summation, the message I took from this book was: our parents raise us, wipe our noses and bottoms, dry our tears, help us pick out our clothes, feed us, and soothe our fears. Why should we not do the same for them when the time comes?
Though this wasn’t a perfectly edited read, it was engaging enough to keep me turning pages. I give it a BLUE-worm rating! I highly recommend it to anyone, as someday, EACH OF US will either be the ones doing the caregiving, or perhaps we will be on the other side of the equation, needing to be cared for.
August 8, 2016
Twenty years ago, author Theresa Snyder’s mother and father were on the cusp of needing full-time care. Rather than do that, Snyder decided to move them in with her. She bought a three-bedroom house in Oregon and settled down to a life of doctor’s visits, prescription filling – and lots of love and laughs.
The book deals with the day-to-day life of Snyder as she manages her parents’ health concerns – like heart attacks and pneumonia - her full-time job, her pets, and the house itself. It makes for some hilarious, heartfelt and heartwarming stories .
Like how much time and attention she and her father put into their magnificent garden because she wants to make sure her mother – who’s not very mobile – has a beautiful view from every window in the house. Or how, after adopting a litter of stray kittens and keeping them in the garden shed, she accidentally locked herself in and yelled for help for hours while her parents, who were busy cooking dinner, then eating dinner, then cleaning up after dinner, kept wondering what the heck was taking Theresa so long with the kittens.
Or how her father has “a perfect sense of hearing when it comes to the TV being turned off once he has fallen asleep and left Mom and me to watch a WWII program on Normandy. The instant we turn the program off, he wakes insisting he was watching it.”
There are lots of clever personal anecdotes too. From reminiscences about growing up with her 27 brothers (2 natural born, 25 adopted or foster), to stories about her life now. “New Year’s Eve has never been one of my favorite holidays,” she writes. “I have no ‘sweetie’ to kiss at midnight and for a gal who hits the bed at 10 o’clock each weeknight, midnight is a long wait with nothing to hold your interest but people in Times Square dressed in funny hats making fools of themselves for the television cameraman. I usually give up and crash early.”
But the book isn’t just an entertaining memoir. It’s full of great advice for caregivers as well – and sooner or later, we all end up doing that for someone. For instance, everyone in the Snyder family has their own job whether it’s doing the laundry, weeding the garden, taking out the trash, or emptying – or loading – the dishwasher (because those are two very distinct jobs performed by two different people). In the Snyder family, everyone does what they do best and it keeps the house running smoothly. Or as smoothly as possible. ;)
I thought it was very clever how she ensured that both she and her parents had their own ‘side’ of the house, so that everyone gets their privacy. But because their living spaces are separate, I loved her idea of putting a wireless doorbell in the house, leaving one unit next to their bed and another in the bathroom, with the central unit where she could hear it, so her folks would always have an ‘alarm’ to ring if one of them needed help.
She’s also full of advice about how to keep yourself healthy and happy if you’re a caregiver. "Because if you get hurt, who’s going to take care of them?” She even includes excerpts from a safety booklet for homecare workers published by the state of Oregon about how to prevent the sprains, strains and other injuries that result from caring for the elderly. Moving wheelchairs, emptying washing machines, and making beds being among the worst culprits.
But the tips are always interspersed with her witty personal stories, from how she’s named all her cars since her first one (a 1952 Mercury called The Enterprise), to the trials and tribulations of living with her six-toed cat, Bigfoot. And Bigfoot isn’t the only pet in the Snyder family, trust me! The author seems to have endless time to care for other things.
It’s absolutely inspiring and humbling to read how much thought and love she puts in to making her parents’ lives as pleasant as possible. Whether they’re out discovering a new restaurant together or just sitting at home having tea, these three seem not just like family, but like best friends. Snyder insists - and you can see for yourself - that every ounce of work and stress is worth it. There’s just that much love and joy in the Snyder house.
When I was finished, I wanted to hug Ms. Snyder for being one of the warmest, loving, and thoughtful people a person could hope to meet. It makes me want to wish her a whole week of her most favorite thing in the world. Rainy mornings.
“I love rainy mornings. They envelop me like a three-way hug with mom and dad. They comfort me and make me feel safe. I hear the rain and smell the soil of the garden through the open window and I roll over for just a few more minutes of peace.”
Hilarious, heartwarming, helpful – and well written! - WE 3 is a highly recommended read for anyone who’s dealing with aging parents and/or aging themselves. In other words, all of us!
The book deals with the day-to-day life of Snyder as she manages her parents’ health concerns – like heart attacks and pneumonia - her full-time job, her pets, and the house itself. It makes for some hilarious, heartfelt and heartwarming stories .
Like how much time and attention she and her father put into their magnificent garden because she wants to make sure her mother – who’s not very mobile – has a beautiful view from every window in the house. Or how, after adopting a litter of stray kittens and keeping them in the garden shed, she accidentally locked herself in and yelled for help for hours while her parents, who were busy cooking dinner, then eating dinner, then cleaning up after dinner, kept wondering what the heck was taking Theresa so long with the kittens.
Or how her father has “a perfect sense of hearing when it comes to the TV being turned off once he has fallen asleep and left Mom and me to watch a WWII program on Normandy. The instant we turn the program off, he wakes insisting he was watching it.”
There are lots of clever personal anecdotes too. From reminiscences about growing up with her 27 brothers (2 natural born, 25 adopted or foster), to stories about her life now. “New Year’s Eve has never been one of my favorite holidays,” she writes. “I have no ‘sweetie’ to kiss at midnight and for a gal who hits the bed at 10 o’clock each weeknight, midnight is a long wait with nothing to hold your interest but people in Times Square dressed in funny hats making fools of themselves for the television cameraman. I usually give up and crash early.”
But the book isn’t just an entertaining memoir. It’s full of great advice for caregivers as well – and sooner or later, we all end up doing that for someone. For instance, everyone in the Snyder family has their own job whether it’s doing the laundry, weeding the garden, taking out the trash, or emptying – or loading – the dishwasher (because those are two very distinct jobs performed by two different people). In the Snyder family, everyone does what they do best and it keeps the house running smoothly. Or as smoothly as possible. ;)
I thought it was very clever how she ensured that both she and her parents had their own ‘side’ of the house, so that everyone gets their privacy. But because their living spaces are separate, I loved her idea of putting a wireless doorbell in the house, leaving one unit next to their bed and another in the bathroom, with the central unit where she could hear it, so her folks would always have an ‘alarm’ to ring if one of them needed help.
She’s also full of advice about how to keep yourself healthy and happy if you’re a caregiver. "Because if you get hurt, who’s going to take care of them?” She even includes excerpts from a safety booklet for homecare workers published by the state of Oregon about how to prevent the sprains, strains and other injuries that result from caring for the elderly. Moving wheelchairs, emptying washing machines, and making beds being among the worst culprits.
But the tips are always interspersed with her witty personal stories, from how she’s named all her cars since her first one (a 1952 Mercury called The Enterprise), to the trials and tribulations of living with her six-toed cat, Bigfoot. And Bigfoot isn’t the only pet in the Snyder family, trust me! The author seems to have endless time to care for other things.
It’s absolutely inspiring and humbling to read how much thought and love she puts in to making her parents’ lives as pleasant as possible. Whether they’re out discovering a new restaurant together or just sitting at home having tea, these three seem not just like family, but like best friends. Snyder insists - and you can see for yourself - that every ounce of work and stress is worth it. There’s just that much love and joy in the Snyder house.
When I was finished, I wanted to hug Ms. Snyder for being one of the warmest, loving, and thoughtful people a person could hope to meet. It makes me want to wish her a whole week of her most favorite thing in the world. Rainy mornings.
“I love rainy mornings. They envelop me like a three-way hug with mom and dad. They comfort me and make me feel safe. I hear the rain and smell the soil of the garden through the open window and I roll over for just a few more minutes of peace.”
Hilarious, heartwarming, helpful – and well written! - WE 3 is a highly recommended read for anyone who’s dealing with aging parents and/or aging themselves. In other words, all of us!
May 5, 2013
Charming stories of a baby boomer caregiver and her charges.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews