More Than Caregiving

Pregnancy

Words That Help, and Words That Hurt, After Pregnancy Loss

Meredith Gordon L.C.S.W. on October 14, 2022

What is the most helpful way to acknowledge the perinatal loss of someone you care about? It may be different than you think.

What is the most helpful way to acknowledge the perinatal loss of someone you care about? It may be different than you think.

Narcissism

Malignant Narcissism Linked to Toxic Reaction to Rejection

Meredith Gordon L.C.S.W. on September 20, 2021

The gaping personality wound of narcissism triggers an extreme reaction to rejection. Awareness on your end can go a long way in preserving your sanity.

The gaping personality wound of narcissism triggers an extreme reaction to rejection. Awareness on your end can go a long way in preserving your sanity.

Animal Behavior

How to Help Older Adults Grieve After Pet Loss

Meredith Gordon L.C.S.W. on August 14, 2021

The loss of a beloved pet brings a grief like no other.

The loss of a beloved pet brings a grief like no other.

Grief

I Have Lost Two People to COVID. One Is Still Alive.

Meredith Gordon L.C.S.W. on March 10, 2021

Whether we believe it exists or not, the virus has ravaged each of us and our relationships differently.

Whether we believe it exists or not, the virus has ravaged each of us and our relationships differently.

Trauma

Toxic Positivity and the Lie of Complicity in Trauma

Meredith Gordon L.C.S.W. on February 9, 2021

When processing difficult experiences, it is easy to be lured in when someone sounds either commanding or judgmental; or, conversely, “empowerment-focused."

When processing difficult experiences, it is easy to be lured in when someone sounds either commanding or judgmental; or, conversely, “empowerment-focused."

Embarrassment

That So-Called Friend Who Kicks You When You're Down

Meredith Gordon L.C.S.W. on November 17, 2020

Might this be time to ask yourself what you’re getting from this relationship, and if it’s really what you want?

Might this be time to ask yourself what you’re getting from this relationship, and if it’s really what you want?

Cognition

Stop Thinking You Know What Your Adult Child Should Do

Meredith Gordon L.C.S.W. on June 25, 2020

It's a relationship killer. You don't want that, do you?

It's a relationship killer. You don't want that, do you?

Dementia

When Memory Fails From Dementia, Art Is the Key to the Soul

Meredith Gordon L.C.S.W. on May 7, 2020

Art provides a means of expression for those with limited ability to engage in conversation, or even answer simple questions, as the result of dementia—and a connection for carers.

Art provides a means of expression for those with limited ability to engage in conversation, or even answer simple questions, as the result of dementia—and a connection for carers.

Parenting

Parenting a Highly Dependent Adult Child During a Pandemic

Meredith Gordon L.C.S.W. on April 18, 2020

The media is flooded with stories of highly dependent adult children who fail to launch, but it's no laughing matter and highly misunderstood.

The media is flooded with stories of highly dependent adult children who fail to launch, but it's no laughing matter and highly misunderstood.

Narcissism

Being an Empath Is Even Harder With Narcissistic Parents

Meredith Gordon L.C.S.W. on June 6, 2019

Absorbing others' emotions can happen unknowingly—but is quite common if your parent is a narcissist.

Absorbing others' emotions can happen unknowingly—but is quite common if your parent is a narcissist.

Aging

Caring for the Aging Parent Who Molested You

Meredith Gordon L.C.S.W. on December 11, 2018

It's hard to care for an aging parent; it's hell when they've molested you.

It's hard to care for an aging parent; it's hell when they've molested you.

Narcissism

Why Do Parents Scapegoat Their Children—Even the Grown-ups?

Meredith Gordon L.C.S.W. on August 6, 2018

Like businesses, families want to maintain the hierarchies familiar to those most in control. Narcissism and scapegoating play a part. Here's what to do if you're on the bottom rung.

Like businesses, families want to maintain the hierarchies familiar to those most in control. Narcissism and scapegoating play a part. Here's what to do if you're on the bottom rung.

Stop being the emotional hostage of a narcissistic parent.

Change and letting go by choice can trigger one’s own feelings of loss and abandonment.

Emotional abandonment may manifest in parental coldness, but when the dynamic is operative, both parent and young child believe it is they who are internally, irreparably flawed.

Seeing patterns objectively—yours and the narcissist's—is as important as acknowledging your feelings.

Relationships

Are You Confusing Love With Something Else?

Meredith Gordon L.C.S.W. on April 18, 2017

As parents we want to hold onto the illusion that we can fix or control our children. We cannot fix or control them; it is an illusion.

As parents we want to hold onto the illusion that we can fix or control our children. We cannot fix or control them; it is an illusion.

Narcissism

Is Your Adult Child a Narcissist?

Meredith Gordon L.C.S.W. on March 16, 2017

Is your adult child really a narcissist or more like the center of your universe? If so, why is he or she the focus of your life? Is there something you are avoiding?

Is your adult child really a narcissist or more like the center of your universe? If so, why is he or she the focus of your life? Is there something you are avoiding?

Narcissism

You Can't Heal the Narcissist but You Can Heal Your Life

Meredith Gordon L.C.S.W. on February 11, 2017

Focus on tending the self.

Focus on tending the self.

Caregiving

The Caregiver's Spouse

Meredith Gordon L.C.S.W. on June 20, 2016

A fiction author gets the real-world details—fantasies, realities, and so much more—right.

A fiction author gets the real-world details—fantasies, realities, and so much more—right.