we are part of the 'sandwich' generation...
By cher913
@cher913 (25782)
Canada
February 15, 2008 2:03pm CST
what does that mean you ask? it means while we are caring for our aging parents while still caring for kids at home.
people are living longer than ever before and women are choosing to have kids later in life so the two of them over lap...
while my parents are not that old yet (early 70's) they are getting older and my kids (which i had later in life) are only 10 & 14...and for me, i am an only child (and have health issues of my own) so that makes it even tougher...
comments?
4 people like this
6 responses
@Adoniah (7513)
• United States
15 Feb 08
They used to call it the extended family. It is not new it is happening again. Years ago, families all lived together and took care of each other. There could be three or four generations under the same roof. I do like the sandwich comparison though.
It is good to have families together. It is good for children to see the realities of life. They need to know what a Grandparent really is like, not just the occasional visit with presents and kisses and goodbye.
Life is complicated and interesting and should be. It keeps us on our toes. Live it to the fullest. Help each other and learn to ask for help when you need it. It is a great lesson in humility.
Shalom~Salaam~Peace
@leeannmarie (95)
• United States
16 Feb 08
You hit that on the head. I feel sandwiched, that is for sure. My own parents have passed, but my husbands are still alive, ages 88 and 85. They are very demanding , and it is getting harder and harder to keep all the people in this family happy. My own kids feel slited if I spend too much time caring for the older one. So I most defiently feel sanwiched!
@jillbeth (2705)
• United States
15 Feb 08
My father is in his 70's and I look after him, our oldest daughter and her three kids live here with me and my husband, and I definitely feel like I am in a sandwich. It's really hard to be a caregiver to everybody. I wonder who will take care of me when I collapse under the weight?
@kareng (59312)
• United States
16 Feb 08
You have a good point there. I only have one sibling, a brother so I imagine that most of the helping the parents will fall on me. We will see!
@p3halliwel2005 (3156)
• Philippines
16 Feb 08
I live away from my Parents house since I have my own family now. I have 5 sisters and 3 brothers. 3 of them live with my parents as of the moment and they are the ones who take care of them. I have 5 kids have a full time job and have a husband who doesn't work. So I guess I think I am mostly sandwiched on bills and my family..lol
@RobinJ (2501)
• Canada
20 Feb 08
You have hit the nail on the head exactly, it is the same in our family, I am 65 I had my daughter when I was 28 and she had her daughter when she was 30. I am ill and my daughter is a single mom, so we have to be there for each other like never before. When I was young I believed that I would be married and happy for the rest of my life, didn't happen. I raised my children to be the best that they could, and they are pretty darn good but my daughter got pregnant at 30 and the sperm donor is no where in sight, a fact for which I am grateful.
All I am saying is we plan things but you know the story about the best made plans. good discussion
