FROM THE EDITOR'S PEN
/ Kids, Kids, Kids
/
Editorial List
The fall has started out with a real kid
whiz-bang. (I guess kids don’t say that anymore.)
Our upcoming
Today’s Caregiver magazine cover interview is
with America’s favorite dance judge—from Dancing
with the Stars, Carrie Ann Inaba. She talks
about her own family caregiving as well as another
great passion of hers, helping kids in need.
In November, Today’s Caregiver magazine’s
cover interview will be with Ms. Marlo Thomas (yes,
THAT GIRL!). She shares her family’s long and
personal dedication to helping kids in need through
the wonderful work of St. Jude Children’s Hospital
in Memphis.
It is fitting that we start the school season
with a look at the healthcare needs of kids and
their families; but did you know that as the school
bells rings and kids take their seats in homerooms
across the land, over one million of them are
primary family caregivers? And this is not a new
phenomenon. When I was in college (way back before
the Internet and cell phones – gasp!), my roommate
told stories that made the rest of our dorm mates
speechless. As a child, he had been the direct
caregiver for both of his parents. When he was just
10 years old, he began caring for their physical
needs, doing the family books, cooking for everyone,
while trying to have a childhood. As an adult, he is
an extremely professional, yet caring and
considerate person, but I always felt bad for how
fast he had to grow up.
Thankfully, the needs of kids who care are being
addressed on multiple fronts these days. Dr. Connie
Siskowski, who was one of the very first supporters
of Today’s Caregiver magazine when we began
publishing in 1995, has created an organization
dedicated to children who are also caregivers,
The American Association of Caregiving Youth.
So the next time anyone tries to stereotype
caregivers, you can be the first one to take them to
school on it and set the record straight. We come in
all ages, sizes, income levels, and family dynamics,
as well as sexes. The main thing that we all have in
common is our love for our family members and
clients. And that’s a lesson well learned.
School is now in session.
Tell us your
stories about caregiving and kids.
Gary Barg
Editor-in-Chief
gary@caregiver.com
