Sandwich Generation Stress: 6 Ways to Cope While Raising Kids and Caring for Elderly Parents

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“My boss yelled at me for missing my third day of work in two weeks, but I had to go help Dad. What choice did I have? His dementia is getting worse and he keeps forgetting to take his medication. Last night the neighbors found him wandering around in his pajamas. Two hours after I checked on him, my teen’s assistant principal called to tell me my daughter is being suspended for skipping school again. On top of all that, my husband is traveling a lot for work, the house is a mess, no one is paying attention to the dog, I’ve put on 25 pounds and I can honestly say that I haven’t had one day of fun in the past three years. I feel like I’m going to disintegrate if something doesn’t give soon.”

If the above scenario sounds familiar, welcome to the “Sandwich Generation.” There’s almost nothing more draining, stressful, emotional and guilt-inducing than caring for an elderly parent or relative while raising kids. I know what this is like because I’ve been there myself—and my life’s work has been devoted to helping people who are caring for elderly or sick relatives. If you are in this situation right now, you’re probably feeling pretty overwhelmed and alone. I want to tell you that regaining some peace and order in your life is possible. You can learn how to handle the obstacles and difficulties that arise—and you can also let go of some of the guilt, stress and other energy-draining emotions that pull you down and make you feel defeated and exhausted.

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I understand how alone, frightened and unsure you can feel—and how cheated, as well. Maybe this is that time in your life when you thought all your hard work raising a family and advancing your career would have paid off. Instead, your life feels out of control, your family is a mess, your marriage is on the rocks and you are very close to losing your job. Well, let me tell you, you are not alone! There are approximately 20 million women in this country between the ages of 45 and 56—and a whopping 10 percent of them are members of the Sandwich Generation. The numbers of hours and dollars they spend in the care and support of their children and parents are into the billions. (While we have many more men than ever before stuck in the Sandwich Generation, the burden still falls to women in most cases.)

It’s no surprise how this has evolved over the past 20 years, given the demographic changes in this country. We have more women in the workforce, increased life expectancy, couples having children later in life and smaller families—meaning fewer siblings are available to share in the caregiving for their elders. And for parents stuck in the Sandwich Generation, the stress can be extreme. It’s no wonder that marriage and family therapists often refer their clients to geriatric care managers for support.

My Mother Fell Down Again—and My Kids Are Constantly Acting Out. Help!

Children often act out when their parents are under extreme pressure from the numerous responsibilities of taking care of elderly or sick relatives. Acting-out behavior might occur if your child is:

  • Anxious about what’s going on within the family
  • Sad about the changes their grandparents/relatives are experiencing
  • Feeling ignored because your attention is elsewhere
  • Scared of what’s going to happen

Your child might also just be plain angry and feeding off the stress in your household—a house that might feel as if it’s frequently in crisis mode. If this is the case, it’s important for you to step back, take a deep breath, evaluate what’s going on in your home and make a plan to take back control of your situation. Preparing by creating a plan will help make you feel stronger and more empowered in your life—and less like you’re living from crisis to crisis.

What does this plan look like?

1. Stop the “Screech”…and Breathe

When it comes to crises, I ask my clients all the time, “Is someone in immediate or imminent danger of death or injury? If the answer is “no” then I tell them it is not a crisis. It may be a major issue or major concern but not a crisis. What happens in families where there are tremendous competing needs (like kids and aging parents) is that these crises just become a self-perpetuating situation. Everyone is meeting “screech with screech” and there is simply no need for it. I advise my clients to take four very deep breaths, clear their head and slow down that “fight or flight” response. Take a step back and then begin. They can teach their kids to do this also by simply refusing to go to screech.

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Your parent’s crisis might have come before your child’s or vice versa. One may be feeding the other. If you step back, take a look and stop reacting all over the place you can break it down to understandable, manageable pieces. I can’t say it enough: Breathe. It sounds silly, but studies show that people who are under tremendous stress often forget to breathe. Steady, mindful breathing calms us down and gets crucial oxygen to our brains. That clarity will help you make better decisions.

2. No More “Shoulda, Coulda, Wouldas”

I always say that guilt is one of the most useless emotions—and the most embraced one in the world! We humans are great at feeling guilty for everything. It takes a lot of work to let go of guilt, especially for those of us in the Sandwich Generation. Because you are caring for kids, your aging parents, your spouse, your home, your community and your job, you probably feel like you have a million masters and can never please any of them. I believe this is where we must understand and tell ourselves daily that anything and everything we are doing is helping and that it matters. Identify where you might need some support or assistance, but don’t get stuck in the constant “coulda-shoulda-woulda’s” because it is just counter-productive.

3. Ask for Help…And Say “Yes” to It

When someone offers to help, say, “Yes!” And sometimes you will need to ask for help as well—don’t hesitate. My clients are always amazed at how many people will pitch in if you ask. If you’re raising kids and caring for an elderly or sick relative, it’s also important for you to know that there is help for you—both for dealing with your children and your aging parents. The key is to know how to access that assistance.

For some, that assistance is as close as your child’s school. School social workers and guidance counselors can be a good resource for finding assistance and services for your child and family. Often, people around you are dealing with aging relatives as well. Try reaching out—what’s the worst that could happen? And don’t forget your faith community. Talk to your clergyman and ask him or her to send word out that you need some help with chores, respite, sitting with your elder or meals. People love to help and will do so if asked. The Area Agencies on Aging (in almost all communities) can help with resources as well. Go to www.n4a.org to find one in your area.

4. Include Your Child in the Family Plan

I am a big fan of intergenerational learning—and there is nowhere better to start than your own family. No matter their age, ability, maturity or behavior, all children can help their parents care for their elderly relatives. Whether it’s your five-year-old son bringing Nana a cup of juice, your teen visiting with Grandpa and helping him walk out to the sun porch, or your 23-year-old driving Aunt Rose to her doctor’s appointments, all kids can help in some way. Helping others makes us feel needed and wanted—and that we matter.

I think it’s also important to share with your kids about the changes that are happening within the family and with your aging parent. When kept “age appropriate,” the information will actually decrease your child’s fear, anxiety and acting-out behaviors. For example, if you have a grandparent who has suffered a hip fracture and is going to be staying with you for a while until they heal, you might tell a 4-year-old, “Nana has a boo-boo on her leg. We are going to help her feel better.” You can give your 14-year-old more information: “Nana fell in the driveway and broke her hip. She’s in a lot of pain and needs our help right now. She’s going to be staying with us for a while until she feels better. We really need you to sit with Nana after school and help her out until we get home from work.” Keep it age appropriate but do share—it’s important for kids to feel needed and respected.

There is very little we should not involve our kids in when caring for aging parents. Your kids always know more than you think they do! And if they are too young to understand it, they still know something is happening and changing. Even death, one of the scariest words in the world for us humans, is something kids can be part of. Because it is part of the circle of life, kids should know that it happens, is part of the life cycle and not a silent subject.

While it is important to keep things age appropriate when it comes to any issue of aging, there are teachable moments everywhere. So, for instance, while it is unpleasant for a child to see a grandparent who is agitated due to their dementia, you can learn how to decrease the agitation, have the child see the grandparent when they are most calm, and explain that their dementia causes them to act differently than they used to but they are still the same Nana who always loved them. There are many resources out there, including www.alz.org, where one can learn about dementia, behaviors and coping strategies.

5. The 3 R’s: Respite, Respite and Respite

When you’re sandwiched in between all this stress, it’s crucial to take some time for yourself. Schedule “respite” into your calendar. Meet a good friend for coffee if you can, or call someone to talk. Take a book to the beach, take a walk around your block, go shopping and do something fun for you. Build this into your plan of action because by doing so, you will be healthier physically and emotionally—and prepared to keep going.

This may seem impossible because you may be thinking, “Who will watch Mom when she can’t be left alone?” The answer is easy: You can ask a friend to sit with her—or even offer to pay for their time. Also, home care agencies have people trained to care for your loved one. They can provide respite so you can get out for a while. Most have two hour minimums and cost about $25 an hour. If you can afford it, do it! It is worth every penny to help you get refreshed and keep you sane—and to give your mind and body a break from caregiver mode.

6. Stay in Touch

One of the tough things about being caught in the Sandwich Generation is that between caring for your kids, trying to keep your job and caring for aging parents, you have little to no energy left for socialization with peers. Socialization is critical to all of us for emotional and physical health—so reach out. Talk to family and friends, your faith community and try to reconnect with the groups or clubs that used to interest you. These are critical connections that will sustain you. Don’t let them drift away. Feeling isolated and alone is one of the worst parts of caring for others, and is also one of the hardest aspects of elder care. If you simply don’t have time or energy for these things at present, make it a goal for the near future. And if you have no one to talk to, there are many caregiver support groups throughout the country. Go to www.n4a.org to find one near you.

I always say that “action equals strength!” By creating a plan to handle the situation of being caught in the Sandwich Generation, you will be able to take control of the chaos you are swimming in. You will be able to breathe, calm your house down, look at and separate the issues of your children, aging parents, marriage and yourself. You owe it to your physical and mental health to understand what is going on and how to get the assistance needed to make a plan that will benefit everyone in your family.

Related Content:
Estranged from Your Adult Child? 5 Things You Can Do
Raising Grandkids: What to Do When the Honeymoon Ends

Comments (17)
  • Lisa Nylander
    So I do I accept my children who have chosen to become estranged when I have looked after 4 dying relatives, a sick husband and worked for 40 years as an emergency nurse. ( 10 hour shifts with call). They were happy to accept money but wanted no contact. TheyMore are now adults with medical jobs.
  • CMV2016
    Thanks for this article. My mum is in hospital and does not speak English so I have to stay with her 24/7. I also have a 2 months old baby who is at home taken care of by my husband. I see my baby for one hour or soMore every other day when I go home for a shower and this has been going on for 16 days, I miss my baby so much. I feel guilty and I am afraid he will not know who I am the day I get to go home again. There is no date for that so I could miss the next 6 months of my baby or worse when I run out of maternity leave I will fail both my mum and my baby. This situation sucks and believe it or not knowing that I am not the only one struggling helps.
  • amy167
    Thanks for this article. Its really challenging looking after eldery ones when you have young children. Aids such as alarm help when you do not live un the same home but even with that it does take alot of commitment. Thanks for the well written piece on a very importantMore topic. One of the most important tips is asking for help from whoever is willing.
  • Larry Singer

    It is a challenge to raise children and support parents who are aging-in-place. It is even more challenging if they live in a different city or state.

    For practical ideas and suggestions on how to help aging parents remain safely in their homes, please see our blog at http://www.myimportantinformation.wordpress.com/. If you need information on any topics not on the site, let us know, and we will find experts to help provide that information.

  • MaryElizabethDyche
    This is my life. I'm a single mom with a 4 year old living with my 77 year old mother while working full-time. It's HARD! She fell tonight and fractured her wrist. I'm not sure what the future holds but I'm terrified.
    • Lisa
      I'm so relieved to find someone else in the world who understands. I'm a single mom of a three year old living with my 77 year old dad. It's so hard. He doesn't walk well and I'm afraid of what the future holds. I wish we could play date (andMore vent). I hope your mom is ok and all goes well.
  • daveyhiltz

    It's been a real big struggle for us to take care of our grandparents and our kids at the same time. Believe it or not, I think my grandpa is the harder of the two to be honest. He won't let anyone in his room unless it's me or theMore kids. Anyone else in the house he'll take hostage. I think the years from the war have gotten to him, so we're trying to find help for him as well. Thanks for the advice though, I'm sure it'll come in handy.

  • bryanflake1984

    I cannot imagine how hard that would be to raise your kids and assist your parents in the same home.  Just considering this idea will help me plan for my future healthcare needs.  I love both my parents and kids, but I am a bit too stretched to give bothMore the attention they really need.  Maybe I need to help my dad get set up with some assisted senior care.

  • kelseyhiggins

    Great advice about saying yes when help is offered. My neighbor and good friend is in that situation, having young children and an aging mother living with her. She is constantly stressed out and there are days when it looks like she hasn't slept in weeks! I hate to seeMore her that way, but whenever I offer to help out, she has a hard time saying yes. Only a few weeks ago, she finally allowed me to help her with some of the tasks she had, and she realized how much more manageable everything was when she accepted help. Hopefully now she is more ready to accept and ask for help when she needs it

  • EliasRufus

    I really like how you bring the emotions in most of your tips. It's very difficult to be the parent of both your parents and your children. This is definitely a balancing act. One of the greatest things that I have noticed is when the caregivers of the family expressMore their emotions to all involved in the process. Of course, be pleasant, reasonable, and loving. But the most important step you highlighted, is letting your children become involved in the decision processes. Let them be aware. This helps empower all involved.

  • tedsmith575

    Thank you for all of these tips. Ever since  my mom fell down and broke her hip, I have had to take care of her. It is really difficult when you throw kids into the equation. I really like the tip to stop and breath. I need to do thatMore more. If I don't I get worked up over something that isn't that bad.

  • Sleepless1

    Thank you for the post, very helpful! Good to know that I am not the only member of Sandwich Generation. Glad to have stumbled upon the post at 4am while looking up the term for "taking care of a child and elderly parents". 
    I am 52 yr old nurse, work  36More hrs/three days a week, married to a very supportive man. We have a daughter who is about to be 12 yr old.  My husband and I helped my parents down size recently to a home two houses up the street from us for the reasons of having them closer for me to care of them and for our daughter to build better bonds with her grandparents. My parents are 84 and 80.
    My father is a brittle diabetic, who suffers from hypoglycemic episodes several times over the last 12 years and just had an episode about an hour ago. This is my first time observing my father as he was experiencing these episodes and watching my mother trying to give sugary syrup to my combative father. All these years, my mother has been taking care of my father during these episodes... I can not imagine. I would like to command my mother for her dedication! I am glad that I was near by to help my mother take care of my father.  This is just the beginning...

  • FelicitySandy

    Talk about a tall stack of tasks of taking care of children and your elderly loved ones! I really liked the paragraph on staying in touch with your loved ones where you consistently talk to them and make sure their emotional health is stimulated when you socialize with them. IMore find that most of the time your kids can really cheer up your grandparents too! These are such meaningful tips for caring for everyone you love.
    http://www.allstathomehealth.com

  • MarcusFillion

    sfreddson2156 It definitely makes a difference to have kids in the home. The biggest help with that was talking to the kids about the change. When we invited my mom to live with us, we were careful to keep the kids in on the loop. I think that helped themMore adjust instead of getting jealous or frustrated. |

  • JaxWillis23

    I think the most important thing in this post is the point about asking for help. It can be very difficult to care for kids or for elderly relatives. Caring for both at the same time could be nearly impossible without help. I know that I have been talking withMore my mother about what she wants us to do when she can't care for herself anymore. If you can figure out a way to get help that the relative can agree with, it will make things significantly easier on everyone.
    http://comforcare.com/california/east-san-gabriel

    • jwaynebest
      JaxWillis23 I totally agree with you. Caring for an older person and the kids at the same time can be real challenge. It seems to me that everyone needs a positive encouragement. I learned that it's really smart to seek for help if you feel overwhelmed in this kind ofMore situations.
  • KentClark1

    AngelaKillpack I think that it just takes some time to get the hang of caring for both parents and the elderly. It is definitely not a task for the faint of heart. It takes a lot of time, energy, and love. Trust me, you can get it down, especially ifMore everybody involved is trying to help.

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