Kim works as a corporate social worker and informal care support worker at Surplus. In this blog, she gives practical tips and discusses the daily reality of combining informal care with work. The theme of this blog: guilt when combining work and care.
Do you also feel that you fall short?
As a (working) family caregiver, you can sometimes feel guilty. Guilty because you feel stressed or tired. Or you feel like you can never do it right, both at work and in caring for your loved one. You may also feel guilty when you are at work because you think you are needed more at home. Conversely, you may feel guilty when you spend time with your neighbor while your colleagues are counting on you. This constant inner struggle can exhaust you. For example, you may suffer from fretting, fatigue, difficulty concentrating or physical complaints. This is obviously not good for anyone. Not for yourself, not for your neighbor and not for your colleagues.
What about now?
Fortunately, there are ways to deal with this guilt. It is important to set clear boundaries and pursue realistic goals. You can do this by making an achievable schedule and asking for help, both at home and at work. Communicate openly with your supervisor about your home situation so that perhaps adjustments can be made. For example, consider flexible work hours or working half-days at home. Also communicate openly with your own network. Perhaps they can think along with you or take over things from you. In addition, try to schedule time for yourself to recharge. This is not a luxury but a necessity. And remember that it is okay not to be perfect. You do what you can and that's enough. It's cliché but oh so true: “if you don't take good care of yourself, you can't take good care of another.”.
Looking for more information?
Other informal caregivers face similar challenges. That's why we organize themed hours at Surplus for Work and Informal Care. Here we give practical advice and you can exchange experiences with other caregivers. Sign up for our work and volunteer hours:
