Category Archives: intimate partner

What’s the old saying – if you don’t know where you are, you don’t know where you’re going? Being comfortable in your relationship feels awfully good – but functioning on automatic pilot can get you into trouble. For some couples in the Sandwich Generation, the impetus to examine their partnership comes from the different energies that each wants to invest in family, career or leisure. Don is torn between his own needs and those of his wife: “We’re at different junctures right now.She worked part-time in nursing when our children … Continue reading

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We had such an interesting email from Dina that we wanted to share it with you. She was commenting on the the virtual book tour we hosted for Carol Tavris. In reaction to Carol’s thoughts about resolving conflicts with your partner, Dina said, “Right you are that finding common ground, or a ‘shared story’, can be the beginning to resolution. Most reasonable people would agree with that. The problem is finding a strategy for how to reach commonality. That’s where most couples, even the most well-intentioned ones, get stuck. They … Continue reading

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As a Sandwiched Boomer, when you are counting on the support of your partner to cope with a serious illness, the barriers to straight talk that emerge may surprise you. Understanding what motivates your husband may make it easier for you to initiate more frankness into your conversations. Yesterday we outlined several possible grounds for difficulty; today we discuss two more. Not surprisingly, your spouse is unable to fully comprehend what your illness is causing you to give up – feelings of control and invulnerability, your self-identity as a well … Continue reading

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As a Sandwiched Boomer, you may find that when you have faced a serious illness, your recovery can be easier when you have the support of family and friends. If you find that they have trouble talking with you about concerns and feelings, think about some of the reasons that these conversations are difficult. When you can identify and understand the bases of the problem, you can work to get past them. Here are some common causes of communication that is not open and honest: Your spouse may be in … Continue reading

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