Some Boomers are Caught Between 2 Generations
Many baby boomers are also card-carrying members of The Sandwich Generation. This means they’ve got aging parents to worry about, as well as kids to finish raising.
Several friends of mine fit this description and have parents who just aren’t doing well. There is a lot of talk these days about the stress of being a ‘caregiver’ to an elderly parent. There are some resources
and here.
And an article on the Sandwich Generation from WashingtonPost.com.
January 25th, 2007 at 4:30 pm
Rhea, makes you wonder…with so many boomers having failed to adequately planned for retirement, a boomerang generation staying at home longer and living off Mom and Dad, and an elder generation requiring increased care…how will boomers have enough financially to ever retire? Will continuing to work be a requirement because of all the obligations of the boomer generation?
January 25th, 2007 at 5:33 pm
Did you read my blog or my mind??? Thanks for the links.
January 25th, 2007 at 6:19 pm
Lisa: I don’t think anyone knows how boomers will survive financially. I think working forever is not reasonable. My guess is, and I’ve written about it a bit already, is different living arrangements, like co-housing and other communal situations. This will cut living costs tremendously.
Janet: I always aim, with this blog, to be both entertaining and useful. So glad it was useful for you today. The truth is, I know so many folks with aging parents that I figured a lot of the readers have a similar scenario!
January 25th, 2007 at 8:39 pm
Yes, this a great blog. I always find things that interest me here and that actually relate to my life.
I’m a pre-boomer, so that means I have had more time to stabilize my life in a less crowded and competitive world than the boomers grew up in. By the time you get to my age, money really seems like what separates the sheep from the goats.
We are still sending money to our kids and looking after our sole remaining parent, my mother in law, who lives next door. There seems to be no end to our obligations to others. Ever. We can take care of them or let their lives fall apart. And it’s not their fault. They have all done their best in life, but they still need our help.
I’m going to read all the links and maybe report back.
Thanks, Rhea.
January 25th, 2007 at 9:20 pm
Hattie: Always great to hear from you! I am really pleased the topics here do relate to your life. That is my greatest wish. By the way, you are the perfect illustration of the sandwich, even if you are preboomer.
January 26th, 2007 at 1:51 am
I turn 57 next month and I am in the baby boomer generation. Both of my parents have passed on but my husband still has his parents. They are both doing well and they are very well off. Our kids are all on their own (my son, mostly) and are pretty good at taking care of themselves. I sure hope we have planned our retirement well…..
January 26th, 2007 at 8:12 am
Lucy: Sounds like you’re in good shape!
January 26th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
My parents passed away a couple of years ago, while they were alive, we were part of that sandwich generation (and will be again when Fran’s parents’ need us). Despite how rewarding it is, there is such a high degree of stress. For those with a parent who has Alzheimer’s/Dementia, the book The 36 Hour Day is a sanity saver.
January 27th, 2007 at 9:03 am
So, being charter members of the PWBB, should my lady and I be glad our parents are gone? Hmmm. She has an uncle in his 80’s, but he’s rich, so no worries at least about money.
We are retired, and our planning looks (knock on wood, rabbit’s foot, any other mojo available) to have been solid.
No kids hanging on at home (but they are close by and have the most wonderful little girl).
We are blessed, but I never forget that many aren’t.
January 27th, 2007 at 9:10 pm
Yes I did the sandwich thing for a couple of years, i had a 9 yr. old and a 90 yr. old. It was hard but now I marvel at how I got it all done.
January 28th, 2007 at 10:09 am
RDL678: You are a perfect example of the sandwich!
February 2nd, 2007 at 10:09 am
When I was younger, I never thought for a minute that there would come a time when I would be responsible for my mother. But the time has come and she doesn’t like it one bit… which makes it even harder. And we still have one daughter at home so I have her to worry about as well. And she hates it just about as much as her grandmother lol…