Do You Belong to the Sandwich Generation?

No, this does not refer to folks who “brownbag” their lunches. Rather, it pertains to one in every eight Americans who is both raising children and caring for an aging parent. It is estimated that 8-10% of these individuals are currently full-time employees. The math is simple — many of us in our 40s, 50s and 60s are still caring for teens while our parents, who are 70 and beyond – may be becoming more dependent on us, thereby “sandwiching” us between two competing sets of responsibilities. The stress of these situations can become overwhelming, particularly for employees who need to maintain productivity and high performance in spite of the demands they are constantly addressing. The following ideas have been advanced by dependent care experts to assist the sandwich brigade:

• Consider the positives. Whenever three generations live under one roof, the very young will have golden moments with their elders that they will one day cherish! The children may learn some family history from their own grandparents as well as valuable life insights.  
• Financial pooling: If elderly relatives move in on a permanent basis, there may be an opportunity to blend financial resources that will benefit the entire family unit.
• Maintain perspective: Even though it may seem that a role reversal has taken place – you are not your parent’s parent. When parents and children mistakenly fall into this trap, anger, resentment and confusion can result. You are helping your aging parents – not exchanging roles.