Are You A Member of the "Sandwich Generation?"

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What is the “sandwich generation?” It’s a situation where you have responsibilities for caring for your aging parent or parents and also responsibilities for caring for your children and/or grandchildren all at the same time. There are many persons in this situation. I was there myself for years, trying to care for my mother, while raising my children. My father died when my children were small. My youngest hadn’t even been born yet. My mother never remarried and she was able to care for herself with some help from us for several years but eventually, she needed more care. It’s an unenviable situation, where you feel pulled in several directions. You certainly want to make sure your parent is well cared for, but you have a spouse and children who need your attention also. So you are “sandwiched” in between those two responsibilities. You may also have a job and household duties to take care of, so it becomes a balancing act for your time and attention. Sometimes, it can be very stressful, because you WANT to do the best you can for everyone involved and there is only so much time in a day. Caregivers are to be commended for all that they do, so if you are a caregiver for anyone, young or old, you deserve much praise and thanks for all your hard work and loving care. And know that there are others like you who have challenges too. Just remember what the Bible says: “Honor your mother and your father, which is the first command with a promise, that it may go well with you and you may endure a long time on the earth.” Ephesians 6:2, 3.