Today we’re talking about the “sandwich generation,” defined as adult children who are navigating their own parenting journey of young children while caring for their aging parents simultaneously.
It’s an impossible juggling act: Between soccer games, science projects and swim lessons, one in four moms are also caretaking in some capacity for their own mothers or fathers.
It starts out small, helping grandma or grandpa downsize or recover after a surgery, but can escalate quickly to dementia care or physical limitations.
Today I’m thrilled to share with you an incredibly empowering conversation with local Homewatch Caregivers owner, Courtney Harper. Their East Valley in-home caregiving services range from medication management, transportation to appointments, and communicating changes in health with family members and medical providers.
Homewatch Caregivers can keep grandparents involved in family outings, here’s a few incredible examples their owner shared with me:
- Provide extra support at sporting events, birthday parties, and other activities so grandparents don’t miss out on these special moments
- Accompany grandparents on family vacations so they can continue making memories that will last a lifetime
- Assist with shopping, creating handmade gifts, cooking, and baking for special occasions
- Utilizing Homewatch Connect™ technology to participate in events or visit with grandkids virtually
This Grandparents Day, as we say, ‘thank God for Grandma (and Grandpa)’, know that you aren’t alone in navigating this double duty juggling act between your kids and your parents.
I’ve personally lived this balancing act my entire motherhood journey thus far, but I witnessed my parents pave the path of sandwich generation caretaking.
My own grandmother lived with us from the day I was brought home from the hospital until I was a teen. She had disabilities from a stroke, and so I witnessed my parents raise me while caretaking for her simultaneously.
In my own motherhood journey, I’ve played caretaker to my parents as they’ve navigated major disability impacts: deteriorating eyesight, losing the ability to drive independently, reconstructive leg surgery and learning to walk again…and more.
The balancing act of caretaking for both your parents and your children doesn’t have to be done alone.
Helpful, affordable solutions like Homewatch CareGgivers are here to support your family. With no minimums or long contracts, this in-home caregiving service is focused on serving families and those who need help.
There are studies uncovering the stressors we’re facing as this generation, like this one from American Psychological Association:
“Mothers in the “sandwich generation,” ages 35-54, feel more stress than any other age group as they balance the demanding, delicate acts of caring for growing children and their aging parents…And while nearly two-in-five men and women in this age group feel overextended, the survey reveals that more women than men report experiencing extreme stress and say they manage their stress poorly.”
Join us as we honor grandparents this Grandparents Day:
- Working Mom Wisdom: Transitioning from Grandma’s Care to Daycare for my 2-year-old
- A Mother’s Day Ode to Grandma
- Grandma Ginger’s guest posts
