Sitting at the table having your morning coffee, one of the most peaceful times of the day – UNLESS, you are part of the Sandwich Generation. 

Your teenager needs a consent form signed for a field trip, your college student is trying to move back home, the doctor’s office just rescheduled your dad’s eye appointment to the time you have an important meeting at work, and your grandchild wants you to go to a school play in the afternoon.

Sounds exhausting!  For many people, this is just a regular morning. 

How did we get here?

  • People are living longer thanks to advancements in health care.
  • Due to the high cost of living, people are working past the retirement age of 65.
  • Housing costs are so high that young adults may need to live with their parents or be supported by them while they establish themselves.
  • Grandkids arrive while their parents are working towards independence.

There are many factors that come together to create the perfect sandwich.  We can embrace the times or resent them.  We may not have created this situation, but we can control how we respond to it.  Set boundaries, share tasks, and remember to set time apart for self-care.

The next time it all happens at once, BREATHE.  Take one step at a time, and embrace that you are connected to the multiple generations that make up your family. You are the heart of a constantly changing story.    

You are your family’s “hero sandwich”, holding it all together.