How long will the "Sandwich Generation" survive the demands of caring for multiple generations
? It would be fair to say that many of us can't keep our own lives running smoothly. What happens when you have three or four generations to care for?
As your children grow older you start to think of having less responsibility. You look ahead to the years when they leave home and can take care of themselves. You imagine a lifestyle without car seats, "happy meals", and parent teacher conferences. If you're like most people, your vision didn't include taking care of your parents so soon. Times have changed and you might have to adjust your plans for the future.
Recent statistics show that 1 in 8 Americans between the ages of 40-60, are struggling to juggle caring for their elderly parents while raising their own families. It's no wonder people are asking: "How long will these dedicated people survive?"
When you find yourself in a tug of war between the older and younger generations, your first response is to try and please everyone. It may not be long before the pressure of caring for your parents and your kids takes its toll. You may begin to ask yourself, "Will I ever have time just for myself?"
Believe it or not, your family is not the first to face these issues. It was common in our grandparents' day for several generations to live together. Our ancestors were expected to care for their elders and raise a family at the same time. Their time and resources were also stretched to the limit.
Today we have options to help us care for our children and/or aging parents if we need them. Help from various agencies is just a phone call away. So when someone asks: "How long will the sandwich generation survive?