How Can You Use Stories With a Family Tree Template During Caregiving?

Many of us learn about our families through the stories we share.  Stories give us a sense of who we are, even explaining some of our own actions.

For example, this story from my family helps explain my multitasking while knitting.

One of my grandmothers grew up in a house with no running water.

As a teen, one of her jobs was to carry water from the well to the house.  Not one to let the time carrying the buckets go to waste, she took along her needlework.

As I recall, it was mending.  It could have been knitting, tatting, or even crocheting.  Likely she learned it from her mother who had 12 children.

Great-grandmother reportedly knit stockings for everyone in the family.  And made all their clothes, including suits for the boys.

How could she do that without what today is called multitasking?

Now, it is possible this story has been embellished through the years.  Still, I suspect there’s a family tendency towards multitasking with needlework.  At the very least there’s a history of needlework.

Stories like this can help you understand yourself and your family better.

If you’re caring for an elderly parent or grandparent, why not use some of the time to ask about your family history?

You might just be surprised what you learn.

What can you do with family stories?

• Write them down to share with other family members…
• Bring history alive for yourself and a younger generation…
• Learn new things about your family and its members.

How can you get started?  Well, ask things like–

• How did you hear about BIG events like the space shuttle Challenger disaster before the Internet and satellite TV?
• Was someone present at an event like the Berlin Wall coming down?
• Did your grandparents grow up without fast food?
• On a farm or small town?
• Where did they see movies?
• Where did your grandmother who taught you knitting learn to knit?  What was different about knitting years ago compared to today?

And as you learn about different family members, you may even find yourself using a family tree template.

Using a family tree template to create a family tree can help you keep family members straight.  Especially ones you hardly know!  When you start looking at several generations who had many more children than families today you’ll find a blank family tree template a great shortcut.

With a blank family tree template, you can concentrate on filling in the members of each generation instead of also drawing them out.  This link has multiple free family tree templates you can download.

If your family tree is complicated or you just like working with computer programs, you might like to try this software program called Family Tree Maker.

Is this information you’re looking for and don’t have time to find yourself?
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To your healthy caregiving,

Dr. Ina

Ina Gilmore M.D. (ret.)
“The Knitting Dr.”
Ambassador of Elder Care, HowToLiveOnPurpose.com
Founder, CaregivingWithPurpose.com and TheKnittingYarn.com

Disclosure

Disclaimer:

The information on this website is for educational purposes only.  It does not replace information or recommendations from your own physician or other health care provider.  This site does not advocate medical or other health-related self-care, and encourages you to obtain advice from your own personal physician or other health care provider.

This web site is not intended to replace medical, financial, legal, or any other professional advice.  Please use your own good judgment and consult with your own professionals before applying any ideas found within this website.

Originally posted here:
How Can You Use Stories With a Family Tree Template During Caregiving?