Category Archives: aging parents
I recently returned from a three week trip to China and had the chance to talk to some women about their Sandwich Generation concerns. I was particularly aware of the strong movement away from an agrarian society toward rapid urban growth. Our local “boomer” guides were proud of incorporating Western values into their lifestyle – with more demanding work schedules, higher cost of living and increased stress levels. There, grandparents are well respected and taken care of – many living in the home of one of their sons and his … Continue reading
Posted in aging parents, extended family, sandwich generation, your self
Tagged Baby Boomers, China, Elder, Grandparents, Sandwich Generation
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Last week we began to talk about ways to connect with your aging parents and perpetuate the values they hold dear. Here are some more suggestions to guide you in this process. Talk with your parents about their past and the stories of their lives. Their tales will become a part of how you remember them. Through you, the history of your parents will be preserved from generation to generation. Look through their old photographs and listen to the memories they evoke. Video tape these conversations to have a lasting … Continue reading
Several people have written in about how complex it is to be asked to care for an aging parent who has been, and continues to be, difficult. One woman expressed her anguish this way, “My mother is now and always has been self-centered and hard to live with. Now she is old and miserable to be around. I don’t want to put my self into that toxic situation.” Another writes about her 83 yr old mother who is a recovering alcoholic. “It is still hard for me – the feelings … Continue reading
We have received several interesting comments to our recent blogs, two of which we want to highlight today. They represent the range of issues we Boomer Sandwich Generation women are dealing with these days. Audrey, a college admission counselor, knows that when our offspring leave for college, we parents have many reactions to the empty nest – sadness, relief, loneliness, satisfaction, the realization that our hands-on parenting days are over. We also have more of a valuable commodity, free time. She has created a program which takes advantage of the … Continue reading
