Set to release November 7, 2025
Grief in Your Words: How Writing Helps You Heal
Feel like you're stuck in grief? Write your way out by following the steps in this concise, easy-to-use book.
You need to tell your grief story. This book helps you do it with tips on your thinking place, writing place, how to write, what to write, and resources to boost your spirits.
COMING March 12, 2024
Winning: A Story of Grief and Renewal
Harriet Hodgson is well-acquainted with grief. She is a bereaved mother, daughter, sister, daughter-in-law, wife, and friend.
After so many losses, she decided "Death would be the loser; life would be the winner. I will make it so."
Winning is all about healing - a story of love with surprise laughter, useful tips, personal growth, and a path for creating a new life. Winning can help you embrace the life that is waiting for you.
COMING SEPTEMBER 19, 2023
Available for pre-order from AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE, and KOBO.
Reviews
Of her own grief Harriet Hodgson opens Winning saying, “My emotions jumped around like crickets on a summer night.” She then proceeds masterfully to tell her tale, which will meet readers exactly where they are. Anyone who is experiencing grief will certainly find solace in the pages ofWinning. Harriet’s words are like a warm sweater hanging in the closet, there to put on when needed. This book is not, however, just for grieving readers. Winning has life lessons knit up in its pages useful for just about everyone, now in preparation for times to come when “life comes to a standstill.” Winning is reinforcing of relationships in general and the give and take that defines both life and love.Winning outlines the ways in which we all, at times, must wash our faces, pull up our socks, and press on. Harriet Hodgson becomes the gentle voice of a you-can-do-too cheerleader.
Grief is born of loss. Often that loss is one of death. Most everyone who lives into adulthood will experience grief adherent to loss from death. There are other times we grieve, however. We grieve before, during, and after relationship losses and job losses, losses of security, losses of hope, losses of expectation, and losses of physical and cognitive abilities. Often we don’t even know our emotions are those of grief. Consider how important it is to reach for this book before one is fought in the depths of grief. It is a roadmap and preparation for a mountainous trek that might lie just around the corner. Indeed, from chapter to chapter, Winning begs to be in the hands of everyone. Friends and family of those who grieve will learn about the process and will see themselves positioned better to help. Medical students and health care providers, pastors, parents, counselors of all sorts can learn much in Winning they can use to validate and reassure. It is a window into a world many already inhabit with others soon to join.
Harriet Hodgson does not insist in any way. She just lays her self-reflective experience at her readers’ feet. She doesn’t tell readers what is wrong with them, but suggests what is right. Oft we all hear, “Just breathe.” Well Harriet Hodgson in Winning will tell how! How to divert one’s mind. How at once to cast and catch a life rope. Harriet puts words to very real concepts and her terminology then allows readers to think about and understand grief in constructive ways. The strengthening ideas she puts into her readers’ quivers include grief brain, girders, collective grief, five-minute vacations, anticipatory grief, linking objects, setbacks, backward thinking, and the need for “nothing days.” She is not preachy but humble. Readers who open her pages will discover triumphs and hurdles relatable and organically shared; wind is found for everyone’s sails.
Linda Pagnano, Esquire and bereaved daughter.
******
I met Harriet Hodgson at Charter House shortly after she and her husband had moved in. Charter House was where my mother had received loving care when she years ago met the challenges of and passed away from cancer. My father lived on for over a decade in this thriving senior living community. When I met Harriet that day, Dad was nearly fifteen years into his memory loss diagnosis and caring for him was, for me, a top priority requiring just exactly the “one-woman advocacy” Harriet describes in Winning. I immediately recognized attributes in Harriet to admire and model. In our few interactions that occurred before Covid-19 wreaked its havoc, I came to learn that Harriet was an author who’d written extensively on many subjects including caregiving and dementia. Of all the books I’d collected on these topics, Harriet’s became the ones I most treasured and kept front and center. I could open them to any page at any time and find some sort of encouraging take away. She became a constant companion in this way. When Covid-19 coupled with my father’s advanced illness left us only one loving answer of bringing him home to live out his last year, I created a comfort space on a couch tucked behind plants. I had there a cozy blanket and Harriet’s books, and many were the times I ducked into that place for the renewal of Harriet’s reassuring words. To be asked to write a review for Winning was both an honor and a privilege.
First Steps, First Snow
Animals and nature add wonder to daily life. First Steps, First Snow connects young readers to nature, nocturnal animals, and fosters mindfulness.
Whether it's changing seasons, changing scenes, or observing wildlife, nature adds wonder to our lives. First Steps, First Snow(based on a true story) describes a magical walk in the woods on a winter night.
The poem guides readers on the walk and encourages the observation of nature. Watercolor illustrations show nocturnal animals that live in forests.
At the end, the two children and the animals are all snug and sound asleep—a perfect bedtime story for readers of all ages.
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REVIEWS
“The forest is always beautiful, but at night, in the snow, under the glow of the full moon, it is truly wondrous. From deer grazing with their fawns to foxes and raccoons hunting in the drifts and an owl gliding from branch to snowy branch, the forest is full of nighttime friends. To walk through the first snowfall of the year and hear it crunching under your boots as you walk through the "timeless trees" is the perfect way to celebrate winter—especially when, afterward, you get to curl up in a nice warm bed!
Filled with scenes that will be familiar to anyone who lives in and loves the woods, First Steps, First Snow uses both images and text to evoke the hush, mystery, and peace of a forest in winter at night. Simple, short snippets of text combine rhyme, poetic imagery, and sound words to encourage readers to imagine with all five senses, while beautiful, subdued ink and watercolor illustrations depict the forest and its inhabitants in loving detail. When read aloud (with the time taken to linger over each image), the text is restful and meditative—perfect for bedtime reading.”
First Steps, First Snow is beautiful, timeless, and joyful.” – The Children’s Book Review
Daisy a Day: Hope for a Grieving Heart
A daily guide providing practical and emotional guidance for those grieving the loss of a loved one.
Just like you, Harriet Hodgson has lost loved ones. Just like you, she sought help. When Harriet couldn't find the help she wanted, she wrote Daisy a Day, 365 short readings about coping with grief. Her tender, thoughtful words can help you find your healing path and keep walking toward the future. Daisy a Day is the hug you need.
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REVIEWS
"Daisy a Day" by Harriet Hodgson is a handbook of practical tips for those who are mourning the loss of a loved one. This book is based on the author's own experiences of coping with significant losses of family members in her life. Her beginning quote, "This book is for all who grieve. Grief links us together and we will survive it together," sums up the goal of this book to encourage those who suffer from grief to take the next steps forward and find new meaning in life as a stronger, more empathetic person.
The book provides nuggets of encouragement at various stages of grieving. It is divided into four sections to match a person's journey in mourning: 1) Shock and Anguish, 2) Coping and Finding Balance, 3), A New and Meaningful Life, and 4) Making good from grief. One of the quotes that resonated with me is as follows: "The death of a child is an out-of-turn death—nature's mistake. You are shattered because you have been robbed of the present and the future. The realization is agonizing. Be grateful for the time you had with your child." Depending on your stage of grief, there is a nugget of advice or encouragement that will help you get through the day and survive with a greater appreciation for those moments in life that make you the most joyful.
I encouraged readers to purchase "Daisy a Day," as a paperback to be kept in easy reach whenever you need a tidbit of encouragement and advice to get you through a difficult time in grieving. Highly recommended.
Grief Doodling
From the very first page, Grief Doodling invites action. Topics range from the benefits of doodling, to why doodling is fun, to doodling tips, and responding to doodling prompts. The prompts, based on grief research, promote self-worth and healing. This is a hopeful book—something all grieving kids need.
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REVIEWS
Here is a vitally important children’s title for social services workers, parents, grandparents … well, everyone, everywhere who suffered the loss of someone they love.
Grief Doodling: Bringing Back Your Smiles, written and illustrated by Harriet Hodgson offers a kind, gentle approach to the heavy subject of grief by using a physical process to express a feeling that is difficult for some learners to put into words.
This book is precisely what it says. It is a personal journey through pen and paper to understanding and accepting a recent life loss. Grief doodling, according to designer Steven Heller, is the art of thinking, which means that the practice of doodling helps a person’s mind calm down and allow tension to float away while they are drawing simple shapes and forms about whatever subject is on their mind at the time of creation.
Doodling stills the mind so that it can gather facts. Doodling transmits ideas as it allows the person doodling to express themselves; it helps the mind pay closer attention to the inner subject rolling around in a person’s head.
Hogson writes that additionally, doodling improves memory, releases feelings, is creative, and helps the doodler know him or herself. It can be spiritual but does not have to be. Doodling is whatever the doodler’s mind wants it to become.
And that is why doodling is the perfect application to present hands-on learners while processing the subject of grief. Because grief, Hogson says, is a journey and doodling offers beacons of light on that path.
This book is excellent. Among its contents are doodling technique tips, examples of an object that might represent sadness, stormy thoughts, or sunny days. There are no rules in this art title, which is the ultimate freedom for readers to work through their confusing, waves of feelings.
Grief Doodling: Bringing Back Your Smiles, is listed as a children’s title. But honestly, this one is perfect for my 57-year-old mind to use. I don’t know about anyone else, but in my case, when grief hits my heart and my breath catches in my throat, I feel very childlike; vulnerable, afraid, and unsure how to proceed. For my personality, processing confusing, sophisticated feelings with this approach is perfect.
Let’s take a quick look inside.
Hogson presents the process of grief in a visual way and its pages lead the doodler through the classic five-stage grief process; denial, anger, depression, bargaining, and acceptance.
Just reading this book’s intended message and thumbing through its pages, compels my mind to raise the subject of my latest grief process and challenge me to consider if I’ve made it through myself. This is the epitome of the word “workbook.”
Social workers, funeral homes, families, emergency staff, anyone who interacts with this inevitable, awkward, and emotional phase of life should at least have quick access to this 60-page title. Sometimes the best way we can help another person process their grief is by not saying anything at all. Instead, Grief Doodling: Bringing Back Your Smiles can do the talking for you.
Michelle Lovato of Michelle Lovato Book Reviews, https://michellelovatosbookreviews.wordpress.com
From Sad to Glad
Wondering how to talk to your child about grief? From Sad to Glad can be just the opening you need—a lead-in to parent-child talks about grief facts and feelings.
This workbook helps your child explore feelings via various activities, including drawing, finish the picture, connect the dots, scribble art, sad to glad maze, brainstorming, and more. Each activity sparks different thoughts about grief. Many grief topics are represented in the workbook, among them:
• remembering a loved one
• anger associated with grief
• feeling worried and afraid
• comfort of linking objects
• getting support from family
• believing in happiness.
Your child is entitled to her or his feelings. Talk about good, bad, and confusing feelings with your child. Say you have these feelings too. Together, the activity pages and talks will help your child develop coping skills. Perhaps the most important skill is knowing that feelings change constantly. This is true of adults and children, something else to discuss with your child.
Ask your child which page is their favorite. Why this page? Talk about the progress your child has made. Grief is a journey and, whether you are an adult or child, each journey is unique. No grief journey is identical to another. From Sad to Glad is part of your child’s journey, an exploration of feelings and visual record of emotional growth.
ORDER FROM CENTERING CORPORATION.
From Darkness to Sunshine
Grief is sad, painful, and confusing. It can make you feel worried and anxious. After a loved one has died, it is normal to have a jumble of feelings. Sorting out these feelings can be hard. That’s where this workbook comes in. From Darkness to Sunshine helps you identify feelings and name them—the first step on the path to healing.
Each page deals with a different part of grief. The “Feeling Words” page is an example. You circle words that describe your feelings. The “Grief History Line” page helps you see a big picture of your grief. The “Writing a Letter to My Loved One” page helps you let your feelings out.
Being honest about feelings helps you help yourself. Remember, parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, and cousins havemany of the same feelings you have. The dog may even feel sad. That’s good because you and your family can work on healing together.
From Darkness to Sunshine has hopeful pages, such as making good things from grief. You may not believe it now, but the day will come when you can tell you are starting to feel better. The day will come when you are able to laugh again, life seems brighter, and you feel like you’re walking in sunshine.
AVAILABLE FROM CENTERING CORPORATION.
Good leadership begins in childhood. Drawing Out the Leader in Me is an 8 ½” x 11” art activity book for kids ages 4-8. It gives your child an opportunity to create while learning about leadership. Each activity page begins with a leadership fact, followed by a drawing prompt. By the end of book, your child is on the path to becoming a leader.
AVAILABLE FROM LION CREST LEADERSHIP.
Drawing Out the Leader in Me
Ready, Set, Lead!
Leading is a way for a child to use their talents. Give your child/grandchild this beautifully illustrated hardcover book. Pre-order Ready, Set, Lead! on Amazon today.
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REVIEWS
“If you have a child in your life that you care about and want to see them succeed, then you must read this book with them. Leadership is a learnable skill and this book has keys that will help set any child on the path to being a leader and set them up for success no matter which path they choose to follow.”
Chris Robinson, Executive Vice President
Maxwell Entrepreneurial Solutions
And more importantly a proud father of six—triplets, a single, and twins
The Grandma Force
FEATURED IN GRAND MAGAZINE
Becoming the grandmother of twins changed Harriet Hodgson and altered her life course. According to Hodgson, we live in a fast-paced, complex time, a time when too many grandchildren are victims of bullying, Internet scams, and sexual abuse. Hodgson believes that grandmothers are needed today more than any other time in history. "Grandmas can't be passive," she declares. "Every grandma has the power to protect and guide her grandchildren and needs to tap this power." This narrative weaves Hodgson's personal story with research findings. It's packed with ideas for helping grandchildren. "The Grandma Force is about the power of love and the power of one." Hodgson says. "One-by-one, grandmas are standing up for grandchildren and creating a hopeful future for them."
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The Living Now Awards are given to authors who are “changing the world, one book at a time.” The Grandma Forcereceived a Silver Medal in the Family/Parenting category.
So, You're Raising Your Grandkids!
NOW AN AUDIOBOOK!
According to the US Census Bureau, more than 10% of all American grandparents are raising their grandkids, and the number is increasing. Included in this book are topics such as: methods for improving grandparent-grandchild communication, ideas for how you can connect with your grandchild's school, the latest child development information, and more. Hodgson draws on her 21 years of caregiving experience, including seven years of raising her twin grandkids.
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ONLINE MEDIA KIT
REVIEWS
This book reads like a parenting guide for grandparents. Some may feel that, since they are grandparents, they know how to raise kids. But remember, you are raising kids from a different perspective now and this book illuminates those differences and helps you tackle them. The author writes about family values and helps one understand what children want and how they should be treated. Raising teens can be an uphill task for anyone. The writer shares her experience raising her grandkids in their teen years, and how adolescents react to issues.
The tips Harriet Hodgson shares should be mastered by everyone as they will always come in handy at some point in life. The book is written in a flowing style, with the author listing her thoughts then explaining later in detail. This book not only educates you on parenting, but also helps to understand and cope with grief.
Literary Titan, check out the full review at www.LiteraryTitan.com
Every one of the nearly 6 million GRG caregivers should have this book on-hand as a vital resource as they care for their grandkids.
Gary Edward Barg, Editor-in-Chief, Today’s Caregiver Magazine, www.Caregiver.com
Whatever the reason you now find yourself a GRG, Harriet’s beautifully written, well-researched, personal and sensitive book will help guide you through the many adjustments you have to make as a grandparent faced with parenting again.
Adrienne Gruberg, President and Founder, The Caregiver Space Website, www.thecaregiverspace.org
As with all of her writing, this understandable and easy-to-read contribution from Harriet Hodgson—bereaved mom, prolific author, and devoted grandmother—is wonderful! Her book is straightforward, practical and informative, and highly recommended for grandparents who unexpectedly find themselves in a parenting role.
Marty Tousley
The Family Caregiver's Guide
Caring for a loved one at home. What’s really involved? And what does it mean for your family and future? Tens of millions of Americans have had these questions and more as they prepare for this unsettling yet necessary task. The Family Caregiver’s Guide fills in the gaps, connecting the dots between research and real life. Drawing on the author’s extensive caregiving experience, this book provides strategies to care for your loved one, inside and out, as well as for yourself—including how to use your natural skills in your new role, and which skills you may need to add. You’ll discover how to set up your home for caregiving, including a safety checklist, equipment suggestions, and words you should know. And for those days that are more than a handful, you’ll find positive affirmations, a section on facing and accepting illness, and smart steps at the end of each chapter, in case you need guidance in a hurry. Caregiving has both rewards and challenges. But through it all, you’ll discover what’s most important—that caregiving is love in action.
NOW AN AUDIOBOOK!
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
REVIEWS
Synopsis: What does caring for a loved one at home really involved? What does it mean for your family and future? Tens of millions of Americans have had these questions and more as they prepare for this unsettling yet necessary task. "The Family Caregiver s Guide" fills in the informational gaps, connecting the dots between research and real life. Drawing on the author Harriet Hodgson's own extensive caregiving experience, "The Family Caregiver's Guide" provides strategies to care for your loved one, inside and out, as well as for yourself including how to use your natural skills in your new role, and which skills you may need to add. You ll discover how to set up your home for caregiving, including a safety checklist, equipment suggestions, and words you should know. And for those days that are more than a handful, you ll find positive affirmations, a section on facing and accepting illness, and smart steps at the end of each chapter, in case you need guidance in a hurry. Caregiving has both rewards and challenges. But through it all, you ll discover what s most important that caregiving is love in action.
Critique: As informed and informative as it is real-world practical and thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "The Family Caregiver's Guide" should be considered reading essential for anyone anticipating or already engaged in caring for a loved one in the family home. Of special note are the chapters on 'What Skills do You Need?' and 'Getting Ready for Home Care'. Particularly useful are the three Appendices: Home Safety Checklist; Medicine Cabinet Supplies; Terms to Know. Simply stated, a copy of Harriet Hodgson's "The Family Caregiver's Guide" should be a part of every community library, senior citizen center, and family counseling center instructional reference collection. For personal reading lists it should be noted that "The Family Caregiver's Guide" is also available in a Kindle edition ($6.99).
Helen Dumont, Reviewer, MBR Bookwatch, http://www.midwestbookreview.com
The Family Caregiver’s Guide is a must-read for all caregivers. Harriet Hodgson backs up each chapter topic with an impressive list of resources. Her personal stories add credibility to this research. Although Harriet writes about the challenges of caregiving, she also writes about its positive impact on her life. A Registered Nurse and certified counselor, I worked in home health for 10 years and was a caregiver for my mother and husband. This is the best caregiving book I ever read. I hope it is required reading for all professionals and available to families everywhere.
Mary Amundsen, BSN, MS Counseling, Caregiver Support Group Leader
Harriet’s latest work is grounded in an honest approach to the full spectrum of what it takes to care. Her focus on the daily realities caregivers have to contend with is a refreshing perspective and one that caregivers at any stage would benefit from reading.
Adrienne Gruberg, President/Founder, The Caregiver Space, www.thecaregiverspace.org
Harriet Hodgson’s latest book, The Family Caregiver’s Guide, immediately put me at ease. The chapters are well organized. Checklists and questions sprinkled throughout the book give the reader opportunities to reflect about caregiving. Smart Tips at the end of each chapter act as a review of information. The Family Caregiver’s Guide is a must-read for new and experienced caregivers alike. Harriet has much to share with the caregivers of the world.
Mary Jane Cronin, MA, LMHC, Cronin Counseling, Largo, Florida, www.cronincounseling.com
Harriet Hodgson has written many books about heart-wrenching events and does it again with The Family Caregiver’s Guide. It is based on her 18 years of caregiving experience. Harriet was her mother’s caregiver, twin grandchildren’s caregiver/guardian, and is her disabled husband’s caregiver today. Readers will benefit from the guide’s clear organization, extensive research, friendly writing, and 101 Smart Steps. Caregivers need all the help they can get. I would recommend The Family Caregiver’s Guide to any caregiver. It’s a winner!
Gloria Horsley, MFC, CNS, PhD, Cofounder and President of the Open to Hope Foundation, Co-host of Open to Hope Radio and Television.
The Family Caregiver’s Guide is an informational resource for caring for an informed loved one. As a nursing professional and caregiver for my daughter, who sustained severe anoxic brain injury more than 12 years ago, I would have welcomed this guide. Even though I’m an RN, with a Doctorate in Public Health Systems Management, when my daughter was injured I felt overwhelmed. The Family Caregiver’s Guide provides simple, easy-to-follow steps for caring for a loved one. The Appendix contains checklists for creating a safe home environment, and definitions of medical terms. I love the personal touch Harriet provides throughout the book, assuring caregivers that we are not alone to fend for ourselves in this chaotic health care maze. Each caregiver’s journey is personal and the ability to go to any chapter when needed is a precious gem of this guide. I highly recommend it to professional and lay caregivers alike because no caregiver should embark on this journey alone.
Debra Anzalone, Dr. PH, RN, CHES, Lighthouse Point, Florida.
Just when I think I’ve got this “caregiving” thing in control, Harriet Hodgson has come up with answers to issues and questions I haven’t confronted yet. The Family Caregiver’s Guide is filled with practical information that can be used to chart schedules, identify problems, and solve problems, all the while taking care of myself. Hodgson is as creative as to have you mentally reverse roles with the person you are caring for, and as practical as to encourage 10 minutes of meditation a day for the caregiver. This book is presented differently than any other I’ve read on caregiving, and may be the only “help book” I’ll need from now on.
Peggy Trumbo, dementia caregiver on the caregiving journey.
The Family Caregiver’s Guide by Harriet Hodgson is an excellent resource for individuals and family members who have taken on the new role of caregiver. Harriet has “walked the walk” and is able to give the reader excellent insight, resources, and inspiration as they take on this new normal. This easy to use guide provides shared experiences, useful tips, and valuable resources that can make caregiving a little less stressful, a little more organized and, hopefully, a treasured experience in your life.
Laurie Marreel, Executive Director, Elder Network, Rochester, Minnesota.
Affirmations for Family Caregivers
Harriet Hodgson has cared for three generations of family members—her mother, husband, and twin grandchildren. The affirmations in this book come from Harriet’s eighteen years of caregiving experience, with more years to come. In 2013 her husband’s aorta dissected and he had three emergency operations. Surgeons managed to save her husband’s life, but he suffered a spinal stroke during the last operation, and his legs are paralyzed. Hodgson is his caregiver and, when she needed a boost, she started writing affirmations. Once she started, Hodgson couldn't stop writing them, and a few dozen grew into the hundreds in this collection. “Affirmations are a form of self-care,” Hodgson explains. “Reading an affirmation in the morning can set the tone for your caregiving day.”
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REVIEWS
Synopsis: Harriet Hodgson has cared for three generation of family members-her mother, husband, and twin grandchildren. The affirmations comprising "Affirmations for Family Caregivers" come from Harriet's eighteen years of caregiving experience, with more years to come. In 2013 her husband's aorta dissected and he had three emergency operations. Surgeons managed to save her husband's life, but he suffered a spinal stroke during the last operation, and his legs are paralyzed. Hodgson is his caregiver and, when she needed a boost, she started writing affirmations. Once she started, Hodgson couldn't stop writing them, and a few dozen grew into the hundreds in this collection. "Affirmations are a form of self-care", Hodgson explains. "Reading an affirmation in the morning can set the tone for your caregiving day."
Critique: Harriet Hodgson has been a freelance writer for 37+ years, is the author of 35 books, and thousands of print/ Internet articles. She is a member of the Association of Health Care Journalists and the Association for Death Education and Counseling. She is also a contributing writer for The Caregiver Space website, Open to Hope Foundation website, and The Grief Toolbox website. An affirmation is the act or an instance of affirming; state of being affirmed; the assertion that something exists or is true; something that is affirmed; a statement or proposition that is declared to be true; and the confirmation or ratification of the truth or validity of a prior judgment, decision, etc. "Affirmations for Family Caregivers" is an inherently thoughtful and thought-provoking, insightful and inspiring, comforting and supportive collection of single sentence affirmations that are very highly recommended for both senior center, community, and academic library collections. For the personal reading lists, especially for anyone involved in providing care for a loved one, it should be noted that "Affirmations for Family Caregivers" is also available in a Kindle edition ($5.49).
Mary Cowper, Reviewer, MBR Bookwatch, http://www.midwestbookreview.com
As a caregiver for my son I personally found this book positive, uplifting and full of inspiration. Having been exploring Positive Psychology for some time and working personally with affirmations, I see them as a great way to turn a negative into a positive without negating how the experience or issue has made you feel. Harriet Hodgson in her introduction, gives an open and honest account of the tragedies in her life and how the results have had a life-changing knock-on effect on her life as she has stepped in at various stages to become caregiver to a steady stream of family members over the years, including her mother, her husband, and her orphaned twin grandchildren.
However, whatever job you do, even if it’s one you love involving people you love, there are guaranteed to be aspects of it that will irritate, exasperate, cause anxiety and stress, or just plain get you down! Harriet gives some great examples of how she has dealt with these occasions by writing her own affirmations – for example, in Chapter One, ‘My Caregiving Tasks,’ she writes ‘Changes in plans don’t throw me off balance; they activate my coping skills’ or ‘Every job has its messy aspects, and that makes me appreciate the non-messy aspects more.’ Furthermore, acknowledging the time constraints on caregivers, Harriet Hodgson has created an easily readable book, simply formatted and defined carefully by chapters without too much content. Harriet Hodgson, I applaud you!
Prior to reading this book I had spent a lot of time reading other peoples’ affirmations, but I had never thought to have a go at writing my own which reflect on my own personal experiences as a caregiver. I am now inspired to do so! I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!
Harriet divides her book into easily identified chapters, and into easily read sections within the chapters to enable a ‘dip in’ book to slot into busy lives when appropriate.
Joanna Windsor
A Journal for Family Caregivers
Dozens of journals are available. Why buy this one? This journal is just for you—a family caregiver—and deals with issues that you handle on an ongoing basis: your tasks, practicing self-care, your self-talk, job satisfaction, and more. To set the tone for the day, each page of the journal section begins with an affirmation. The writing prompts are different than in most journals. Instead of asking questions or setting up a scene, this journal uses a “finish the sentence” approach. You can write a little or a lot. Action steps are the last item on each journal page. When you finish your journal, you’ll be able to look back and create an action plan that will make your caregiving easier for you and more enjoyable for your loved one.
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The Family Caregiver's Cookbook
You're in the caregiving trenches and barely make it through the day, let alone have the energy to prepare fancy meals. But meals don t have to be fancy or hard to make in order to be delicious, nutritious, and healthy. Harriet Hodgson, a dedicated home cook, former food writer, and family caregiver, wanted to fix delicious meals for her disabled husband. A creative cook, Harriet adapted favorite family recipes and created new ones for this book, reducing salt, fat, and sugar. Personal stories add to the recipes and each one ends with Caregiver Tips. You ll get tips on how to stock your pantry, speed shop for groceries, understand the effects of sodium, and practice food safety. The book is set in larger print that makes it easy to read. Treat your loved one and yourself to these easy-fix, delicious, and satisfying recipes. Make every meal a celebration of life!
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REVIEWS
I recently said to a neighbor, “After 51 years of thinking up dinners, I want someone else to do the thinking for me.” Two days later I learn about Harriet Hodgson’s new cookbook. Cooking for my husband with dementia becomes more difficult as he is less willing to eat something that looks different or has to be cut up or will get his hands messy. Upon reading Harriet’s recipes, I see so many that will help my husband eat independently and with pleasure in the taste and texture. It is going to be fun for me to have newness in making dinner with easy recipes that are wholesome—and I don’t have to think them up! Thank you Harriet.
Peggy, Alzheimer’s caregiver
Harriet has lived the caregivers journey and has addressed the emotional realities of this journey in so many of her works. In The Family Caregiver’s Cookbook, Harriet addresses the practical reality that we must all eat, and that for the caregiver, time and money are precious and limited commodities, but with the right preparation, delicious, healthy, high quality food can and should be part of your life. The personal stories make this a fun read and the quality of the recipes are simple and delicious. I would highly recommend this not only for the caregiver, but also for all of us that are pressed for time and want to eat well.
Glen Lord, President, The Grief Toolbox
This is a beautifully organized cookbook for caregivers who need ideas for wholesome, time sensitive, and straight forward meals. My favorite recipes by far were the Java Chili and the Wine Spaghetti. This book would be great with the addition of more pictures of the recipes, the ingredients, prepping and the finished meals. The lists, icons and design of the test make it very reader friendly for even the notice cook.
Mindith Rahman, NetGalley Reviewer
Harriet Hodgson is a passionate writer whose personal journey, as a caregiver, has made her acutely aware of the challenges caregivers face. This collection arose out of her realization that caregivers often lack the time to prepare tasty meals. The just over eighty recipes come from her years of scratch cooking and the joy she returned to in the kitchen. An interesting brief story and helpful “caregiver tips” accompany each recipe. The recipes require minimal preparation time and can be prepared with basic kitchen equipment. She encourages readers to think of grocery store runs as “a field trip.” Rather than snacking throughout the day, turning to fast food, heating boxed frozen dinners and/or consistently making other poor food choices, Hodgson offers a nice variety of appealing and healthy recipes as well as practical time-saving advice which will help you and your loved one eat better and feel better.
Margo Stich, Food Writer, “Dining Out” columnist, Post-Bulletin
I really love this cookbook. The author has adapted her favorite recipes to her role as a full time caregiver. The result is a wonderful collection of delicious recipes anyone can find the time to prepare. The layout of the cookbook makes it extremely easy to follow. Along with the recipes, Harriet shares amusing and helpful anecdotes about each recipe, nicely personalizing the cookbook. So far, I have prepared the following recipes: tomato Basil Soup with Shells (my husband doesn’t like canned tomato soup but loves this.) I served it with the old standby, grilled cheese sandwiches), Cubed Steaks with Roquefort (I added some mushrooms I needed to use up and it was a tasty addition). However, this recipe is bound to be delicious no matter how it’s prepared. Beef Burgundy, probably my favorite and it would be a wonderful dish for a dinner party. Your guests will think you labored all day preparing this. The Glazed Pork Tenderloin is so simple and I love that you make your own sauce so you know it’s healthy. I’m saving my other favorite for last, the Easiest Mashed Potatoes Ever. This recipe will be added to all of my holiday menus for sure. It would be perfect with any main dish. I would probably leave the onions off if I served it for Thanksgiving with gravy. I’m looking forward to trying more and more of these recipes in the upcoming weeks. I’m also ordering extra copies of this cookbook for Christmas gifts for some of my lucky relatives.
Irene, Grandmother and family caregiver
Once again Harriet Hodgson has thoughtfully produced an insightful addition to other self-help books for those caring for family members. The recipes are so attractive in her new book with colorful pictures. I have always appreciated knowing what it is supposed to look like. They appear to be easy and fun to make. And, of course, to taste and share with your family member is a prize.
Marilyn DeSanto, RN, Grandmother
Speedy, healthy, and yummy recipes! Exactly what my family needs! Five out of five stars.
Janelle Forman, Educator and NetGalley Reviewer
Happy Again!
Will I survive? Will I ever be happy again? These are questions that Harriet Hodgson asked herself after she was left to raise her twin grandchildren, while grieving for four family members, including her daughter. Harriet reminds us that we are not alone in our grief and, though losses may define our lives, they will not destroy them.
ORDER ON AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE, APPLE BOOKS, KOBO, AND INDIE BOUND TODAY.
Seed Time
In 2007 Harriet Hodgson’s elder daughter, father-in-law, brother, and former son-in-law all died. Her daughter (mother of her twin grandchildren) and the twin’s father died in separate car crashes. With hard work, self-examination, and determination, Harriet created a new life from the ashes of grief. So many people asked her how she did this that Harriet listed the steps on paper. These steps became a talk and the talk became Seed Time. “If you believe you can change your life it will happen,” she says. This guide contains 80 proactive steps you may take to recover from adversity and grief. Start planting your seeds of change today!
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Walking Woman
According to the American Heart Association, heart attack is the number one killer of women in the US. You don’t need to become a statistic. Just 30 minutes of physical activity a day can help to reduce the risk of heart disease, the American Heart Association notes, and it is asking women to walk. Walking is the easiest and cheapest form of physical activity. If you’re at risk for heart disease, have been diagnosed with it, suffered heart attack, are recovering from heart surgery, have a sedentary job, a sedentary lifestyle, or want to be fit, this guide is for you. Walking Woman gets you moving and keeps you moving. Within these pages you will find information, motivation, and laughter. You may even find yourself. Fact-by-fact, quote-by-quote, step-by-step, you walk your way to better health.
AVAILABLE FROM AMAZON.
The Spiritual Woman
Women are very aware of their emotions. Sometimes we’re so happy we think we will burst. Other times we’re so burdened we fear we will collapse. How can we go on? This collection of 365 quotes, one for each day of the year, will energize you. Every quote is a spark of hope. As you read them, the spirit of woman starts to take shape. By the end of the book this image is virtually complete. Let these quotes – and the spirituality within you – lead you to a rich and fulfilling life.