Sandwich generation
The sandwich generation is the generation that feels squeezed between two other generations. One that is being raised and the other that is growing older. This squeeze can be a major source of stress for many people.
We were created to live in multigenerational community and to support each other. However, society and families have become fractured.
What can you do when your parents are aging and may lose independence while children are at home needing daily consistent parenting?
I will give 3 pieces of advice:
Don’t go it alone. We need a community. Reach out to other family members like siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins for help. Surround yourself with a church family. Get to know your neighbors.
Do not neglect self-care. If you fall apart, what will your parents or children do. Go on walks. Take breaks. Enjoy a sunset. Breath.
Look out for warning signs of burn-out. These are emotional numbness, mental fog, and difficulty sleeping. If you are having these symptoms, seek out professional help from a trust source like a primary care doctor.