Being a mom is a challenge in itself. You are responsible for keeping your children alive, healthy, and happy. But what happens when you are also responsible for caring for your aging parents? This is the situation that many stay-at-home moms find themselves in. They are part of the so-called “sandwich generation.”
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The sandwich generation is a term used to describe adults taking care of their children and aging parents. This can be tough because you are trying to balance the needs of two generations.
Here are some of the challenges that stay-at-home moms in the sandwich generation face:
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Financial Stress
The financial burden of taking care of two generations can be very stressful. You may need to help your parents with their medical bills or pay for your children’s college tuition. This can put a lot of strain on your finances.
The good news is that some programs can help you with the financial burden of caring for your parents. The National Family Caregivers Association has a program called the Family Caregiver Alliance that provides financial assistance to caregivers. You can also explore ways to save money on the web.
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Time Management Issues
Stay-at-home moms barely have enough time to take care of their own needs. You have to deal with tantrums, homework, and playdates. Now you also must take your parents to doctor’s appointments and help them with their daily needs. This can be overwhelming and leave you feeling like you never have a moment to yourself.
There are some things you can do to manage your time better. First, try to delegate some of the tasks you are responsible for. If your parents can, they can help with cooking and cleaning. You can also hire a babysitter or nanny to help you with your kids.
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Emotional Stress
You may feel guilty about not being able to spend enough time with your kids or feel like you are neglecting your parents. This can lead to a lot of anxiety and stress.
Finding ways to relieve the emotional stress you are feeling is essential. One way to do this is to talk to others in the same situation as you. You can also join a support group or see a therapist.
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Physical Exhaustion
You may be up all night caring for a sick child and get up early to take your parents to their doctor’s appointments. This can leave you feeling exhausted and run down.
You should ensure that you are taking care of your physical needs. This means getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and exercising. You may also want to consider hiring a home health aide to help you with some of the physical tasks you are responsible for.
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Making Sure Aging Parents Are Being Cared For Safely
One of sandwich generation caregivers’ most significant concerns is ensuring that their aging parents are cared for safely. This can be challenging if your parents live far away or have dementia or Alzheimer’s.
You can hire a professional caregiver to help you with this task. You can also install safety devices in your parent’s home, such as a medical alert system.
Nursing homes are one option that you have for care. Nursing home abuse cases are also fairly common. If your loved one is in a nursing home, visit and watch for signs of abuse or neglect. If any, the nursing home attorneys at the Wieand Law Firm can help. Make sure your loved ones are getting the care they deserve.
Being a stay-at-home mom in the sandwich generation can be very challenging. You must deal with financial, time management, emotional, and physical stressors. You also have to ensure that your aging parents are cared for safely. However, there are some things you can do to make the situation more manageable.
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