Victoria (@carermentor): "“Caregiving Turned Me Into a Professional Liar. Why “She’s Fine” Is My Most Useful Sentence” by @Denise Servais I read this back in January, but had to retrieve it again for Denise’s scripted responses. Dear friends, we don’t owe anyone explanations

The app for independent voices

“Caregiving Turned Me Into a Professional Liar. Why “She’s Fine” Is My Most Useful Sentence” by Denise Servais

I read this back in January, but had to retrieve it again for Denise’s scripted responses. Dear friends, we don’t owe anyone explanations - it takes time and energy.

Thanks again for this, Denise.

Sometimes I want to put a neon sign saying ‘I wear a mask because I’m caring for someone 24/7 who’s immunocompromised, especially when school kids fake-cough near us when we’re in town, and school ends🙄, but I know that wouldn’t make any difference.

Sharing this with a few folks Bud Hager Haley Haddow

I lie because I don’t owe anyone her story. And I lie because honesty takes time I don’t always have. People think caregiving is about patience. Or strength. Or unconditional love. It’s also about scripting. It’s knowing which version of the truth fits in which room. There’s the short version. The safe version. The version that won’t follow you to your car. There are the micro‑scripts I keep on hand: • “We’re good right now.” • “She’s just tired.” • “We should probably head out.” Each one buys time. Each one ends the conversation without starting a lesson.

Denise Servais

Feb 27

3:45 PM

The app for independent voices

Log in or sign up