For many people of the baby boom generation, The Sandwich Generation has become all too real. We are in the middle of raising our kids. Many of us have hormonal teenagers that are providing us with all the wrinkles we never asked for and still many of us are finding pleasure in the hectic world of bringing up our younger kids.
Consider your hectic life being a parent and combine that with the many needs of your own parents. Not only do your children, and all of their activities and managing your household, need you; now so do your parents. If you can relate to this then you are one of The Sandwich Generation.
The term “Sandwich Generation” has been coined to describe people who are trying our best between caring for our elderly parents and caring for and supporting our dependent children at the same time.
We musn’t forget about you, the caregiver. Stress management and mental wellness are crucial in assisting you while you cope with so many demands that are required of you while you attempt to be the best parent you can be to your children, and look out for your elderly parents, as best you can. If you work full time this will be even more necessary and difficult.
The following are a few simple steps to help prevent becoming despondent, uneasy and exhausted:
- Stay in touch with relatives and friends. Be sure to have fun, laugh and focus on things besides your obligations and do not give in to feelings of guilt about it because maintaining balance emotionally will help you to be the best caregiver.
- Be sure to take care of yourself. It’s less likely you will suffer burnout or depression if you stay healthy. Eat healthy meals, don’t skimp on rest and be physically active no matter what.
- Ensure that you have a support network. You need friends, family and others, such as neighbors, that can be available to assist you. Be willing to accept help. It’s important to acknowledge that no one can do everything and sometimes things will not be completed perfectly.
- Be honest and straight forward with your employer about your needs. Perhaps there is room for flexibility in your job schedule.
- Utilize local resources. There are probably organizations in your area that are committed to assisting with the older folks and their caregivers.
- Realize that you will go through days when you cannot avoid feeling exhausted or angry. These feelings are normal. Be sure to talk about them with individuals that you have confidence in.
- Expect to grieve the loss of the bond, as you have always known it, with your parents. In many situations your parents have always been there to support you but now the dynamics have changed and you probably find this hard to endure.
- Accept that your children do not always perceive the reality of the demands that are placed on you and they are innocently being kids with their own desires and needs.
OF ABSOLUTE IMPORTANCE: Be a caregiver to you – always be good to yourself and if you are becoming weary trying to keep this up then engage the help of a good friend who sympathizes and will serve you a snack and some tea while they lend you their ear and a helping hand.
This article courtesy of www.healthtopics.ca
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