Will This Ever End? Keeping Focused on the Future

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Caregiver burnout is a real thing. It can cause you to age prematurely and could lead to depression, anxiety and if you’re married — marital problems. When you are in the thick of the sandwich generation between ages 35-54, it may feel like it will never end.

Hold on and stay focused on the future.

Real Talk: Kids grow up

Your children are as young at any given time as they will ever be. That means you only have to survive toddlerhood and the teenage years for a short time.

Hold on and stay focused on the future.

Unless you decide to live a multi-generational lifestyle, your kids will surely become less and less dependent on you and start to develop lives outside of the home. Even if your children stay in the home after age eighteen, they will be independent enough for you to develop outside interests and generate their own income.

Real Talk: Parents pass away

The sad fact is you won’t be caring for your parent forever. At some point, they will pass away and you’ll be figuring out the new normal with their absence. This can include managing their estate and reorganizing your life, caregiving aside.

At some point, things will shift. Keep focused on what plans you have when you get the freedom and free time back again. In the meantime, be sure to care for yourself, your marriage, and your other interests so they don’t become collateral damage when you are under pressure.

This is the part we are living through in our household. We are still getting used to our new situation without my father. And on top of that, my son went to college shortly after my father died. It takes some adapting to both.

Consider Your Future as an Elderly Adult as Well

At some point, the tables will turn and you will become a different part of the sandwich generation. What plans can you put into place to make things easier for your children who will be in the vulnerable spot you’re in now?

Here are some helpful tips that can make a big difference-

Tip: Talk to your kids

It may seem obvious when you are going through the experience yourself to share your thoughts with your kids, but many people don’t communicate the impact caring for kids and parents has. Talk to your children when they become adults about your hopes, expectations, and plans for when you begin to age. Make sure you are all on the same page so there aren’t any unmet expectations.

Tip: Get things in order

A lot of times parents aren’t prepared for the time they’ll no longer be able to care for themselves. Once their adult kids jump in to help, there are a lot of hoops they must jump through to help out. You can make things easier by taking care of any legal documents or authorizations they may need to assist you or make decisions in your place. Having a trust, will, advanced directive, and power of attorney can make things easier for your kids to help you when the time comes.

Conclusion

Being locked in between your children and your parents can be difficult and wear you out. Hang on, it won’t last forever. Keep your eyes on the future and be proud of yourself for being kind, responsible, and caring for your family. It’s worth the effort.

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Loving Life — The Reboot!

Dominique

This article provides general information and discussion about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this article, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.