For those of us who are called the baby boom generation, The Sandwich Generation has become all too real. We are in the midst of raising children. Plenty 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 fast paced world of bringing up small children.
Consider your hectic life being a parent and combine that with the increasing obligations to look after your own parents. Not only do your children, and all of their activities and running your household, need you; but so do your parents. If you can relate to this then you are one of The Sandwich Generation.
The phrase “Sandwich Generation” has been coined to describe those of us that are simultaneously squeezed between managing things for our elderly parents and looking after and raising our dependent kids at the same time.
We must talk about you, the caregiver. Stress management and mental wellness are crucial in helping you to cope with all of the demands that are required of you while you try to be the best parent you can be to your kids, and look out for your aging parents, to the best of your ability. If you work full time this becomes even more necessary and challenging.
The following are some simple steps to help prevent becoming despondent, anxious and drained:
- Stay in touch with your relatives and friends. Enjoy some fun, laugh and concentrate on things other than your obligations and do not feel guilty about it because maintaining balance emotionally will help you to be the best caregiver.
- Always look after yourself. There is less chance of burnout or depression if you stay in good health. Eat healthy meals, stay rested and be physically active no matter what.
- Round up a support network. You need friends, relatives and others, such as neighbors, that can step in and help. Do not decline help. It’s crucial to acknowledge that no one can do everything and sometimes duties will not be accomplished in a perfect manner.
- Be honest and straight forward with your employer about your needs. Perhaps there is room for flexibility in your job schedule.
- Rely on local resources. There are often organizations in your community that are committed to helping with the elderly as well as their caregivers.
- Realize that you will go through times when you cannot escape feeling exhausted or upset. These feelings are natural. Be sure to discuss them with someone you have confidence in.
- Expect to grieve the loss of the bond, as it has always been, with your parents. In many cases your parents have always been there to support you and now the dynamics have changed and this can be hard to endure.
- Accept that your kids do not always perceive the reality of the obligations that are required of you and they are innocently being children that have their own desires and needs.
MOST IMPORTANT: Be a caregiver to you – always be good to yourself and if you are having a hard time doing this then ask for the help of a good friend who sympathizes and will serve you a snack and some tea and lend you an ear and a helping hand.
This article courtesy of www.healthtopics.ca
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