Episode Overview:In this honest and deeply relatable episode, Laura speaks with Gretchen Staebler, author of Mother Lode: Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver. Gretchen shares what it was like to return to her childhood home to care for her 96-year-old mother—after 36 years of “comfortable distance.” Together, they explore identity, self-care, and the raw truth of what it means to show up in the messiness of caregiving. Meet Gretchen Staebler:Gretchen Staebler is a writer, blogger, and family caregiver who left her life on the East Coast to move home and companion her mother through the final years of life. With a background in counseling, she thought she might be prepared—but her journey was anything but predictable. Her memoir, Mother Lode: Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver, is a heartfelt, humorous, and raw account of what it really means to step into the role of caregiver. Topics Discussed:Long-distance to live-in caregiving transitionsUnexpected emotional dynamics with aging parentsCaregiver survival tools: routines, writing, yoga, and gratitudeWhy storytelling and journaling can be transformationalReclaiming identity while caregivingThe power of naming your experience to regain control⏱️ Timestamps (Approximate):00:00 – Introduction and meeting Gretchen Staebler 01:40 – Returning home after decades to care for her mother 04:15 – What caregiving looked like (and what her counseling degree didn’t prepare her for) 06:25 – How she stayed grounded: yoga, writing, routines, and gratitude 10:55 – Creating a writing group as a lifeline 13:35 – Naming and tracking daily caregiving experiences 16:42 – The emotional complexity of caring for an aging parent 20:25 – What she learned about herself during the caregiving journey 25:00 – Finding humor and lightness amid grief 29:10 – Writing her memoir and sharing her story 32:30 – Encouragement for other caregivers Key Takeaways:You don’t have to feel “ready” to step into caregiving—it’s okay to be reluctantWriting can be a healing tool, especially during chaotic seasonsMaintaining personal routines (even small ones) creates stabilityHumor and honesty are powerful survival skillsYou’re allowed to have complicated feelings and still be a loving caregiver Resources Mentioned:Mother Lode: Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver by Gretchen StaeblerGretchen’s blog: gretchenstaebler.com/blogMain website with resources and reading lists: gretchenstaebler.com Connect with Gretchen Staebler:Website: https://gretchenstaebler.comBlog: https://gretchenstaebler.com/blogInstagram: @gretchen.staeblerFacebook: Gretchen Staebler – Writer Connect with Laura Vaillancourt &#38; the Life on Repeat Podcast:Website: https://lifeonrepeatpodcast.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/lifeonrepeatpodcastFacebook:<a...