Reversing Roles

Duing the last two weeks, we’ve attended two funeral homes and two funerals. Both were for members of the Greatest Generation whose beloved children cared for them until God called them home. We entertained a friend whose dad took a fall and was six hours from death before someone found him. Our friend is in town to visit his dad and take mom visiting retirement communities. I’ve taken Dad to his doctor appointments and food shopping. Ross, my husband, has visited his dad and is now responsible for his financial management. I also filled in at Ross’s office for a gal whose mom was having emergency surgery.

I’ve been giving lots of thought to this whole role reversal stage and have decided a few things. While I feel blessed to be involved with members of this magnificent generation of men and women, it can also take it’s toll on our generation who are often caring for four generations - including our grandchildren. Instead of the Sandwich Generation, I like to refer to us as the Club Sandwich Generation. The sandwich keeps getting bigger.

Here’s a link to the National Association of Baby Boomer Women which offers some great articles on the subject:

http://www.nabbw.com/display_associate.p...56051384794b68e

If you find yourself caring for the elderly, how are you holding up?

Anne, thanks for the reminder that htese forums offer the support we so very often need. How funny that I, the Founder, didn't include that in my post.

I do morning prayer time, walk, and take baths daily, but somehow feel like I am squeezing that in. Know what I mean?

Isn't it strange when you realise that when you want to go on holiday, you arrange for your kids to keep an eye on your parents, when it used to be that you would ask your parents to keep an eye on your kids?

This is so true. I've recently experienced this Countrygirl. And not too very long ago, Mom and Dad would come here and stay with the kids while we went away. Now Mom is gone so lots has changed i what seems like a short period of time. Wow!