Strength for the Sandwich Generation : Help to Thrive While Simultaneously Caring for Our Kids and Our Aging Parents

This comprehensive, instructive, and entertaining book is full of information and resources for middle-aged adults faced with the complexities of raising children while caring for elders.Multigenerational caregiving has become a prevalent phenomenon in the generation of Baby Boomers. Nurturing children as they rapidly evolve and grow as individuals while simultaneously assisting elderly parents to live with—and then exit life with—dignity and respect can be a trying experience. The good news: there can be great joy in this capacity as well.Strength for the Sandwich Generation: Help to Thrive While Simultaneously Caring for Our Kids and Our Aging Parents addresses the multiple complexities that arise for the millions of middle-aged adults caring for both their children and their elders, providing the caregiver with resources and information that include strategies for caring for the self, children, and elders; handling financial strain; and addressing moral and ethical dilemmas. A licensed clinical psychologist, author Kristine Bertini shows midlife readers how to balance their demanding and multiple roles while also making meaning and finding genuine happiness in their complex world. Multigenerational caregiving has become a prevalent phenomenon in the generation of Baby Boomers. Nurturing children as they rapidly evolve and grow as individuals while simultaneously assisting elderly parents to live with--and then exit life with--dignity and respect can be a trying experience. The good news: there can be great joy in this capacity as well. "Strength for the Sandwich Generation: Help to Thrive While Simultaneously Caring for Our Kids and Our Aging Parents" addresses the multiple complexities that arise for the millions of middle-aged adults caring for both their children and their elders, providing the caregiver with resources and information that include strategies for caring for the self, children, and elders; handling financial strain; and addressing moral and ethical dilemmas. A licensed clinical psychologist, author Kristine Bertini shows midlife readers how to balance their demanding and multiple roles while also making meaning and finding genuine happiness in their complex world. Multigenerational caregiving has become a prevalent phenomenon in the generation of Baby Boomers. Nurturing children as they rapidly evolve and grow as individuals while simultaneously assisting elderly parents to live with - and then exit life with - dignity and respect can be a trying experience. The good news: there can be great joy in this capacity as well. 'Strength for the Sandwich Generation: help to thrive while simultaneously caring for our kids' addresses the multiple complexities that arise for the millions of middle-aged adults caring for both their children and their elders, providing the caregiver with resources and information that includes strategies for caring for the self, children, and elders, handling financial strain and addressing moral and ethical dilemmas Contents......Page 8 Acknowledgments......Page 10 ONE: Introduction: Multigenerational Caregivers......Page 12 TWO: Midlife Challenges......Page 20 THREE: Our Children......Page 42 FOUR: Our Parents......Page 64 FIVE: The Self and the Importance of a Plan......Page 80 SIX: Finances......Page 106 SEVEN: Creating Meaning in All Stages of Life......Page 116 EIGHT: Conclusion......Page 128 Afterword: The Author’s Story......Page 132 Appendix A: Resources......Page 140 Appendix B: The Caregiver’s Creed......Page 144 Notes......Page 148 C......Page 152 M......Page 153 R......Page 154 W......Page 155 Contents 8 Acknowledgments 10 ONE: Introduction: Multigenerational Caregivers 12 TWO: Midlife Challenges 20 THREE: Our Children 42 FOUR: Our Parents 64 FIVE: The Self and the Importance of a Plan 80 SIX: Finances 106 SEVEN: Creating Meaning in All Stages of Life 116 EIGHT: Conclusion 128 Afterword: The Author’s Story 132 Appendix A: Resources 140 Appendix B: The Caregiver’s Creed 144 Notes 148 Index 152 A 152 B 152 C 152 D 153 E 153 F 153 G 153 H 153 I 153 J 153 L 153 M 153 N 154 P 154 R 154 S 155 T 155 U 155 W 155 ISBN:,9781598843644,EISBN:,9781598843651 ABC-CLIO This Comprehensive, Instructive, And Entertaining Book Is Full Of Information And Resources For Middle-aged Adults Faced With The Complexities Of Raising Children While Caring For Elders. • Utilizes Instructive Case Examples To Expose The Intricacies Of Challenges Like Simultaneously Caring For Children And Elders • Contains A Bibliography Of More Than 50 Reference Sources • Provides An Insightful Creed For The Caregiver • Offers A Model Of Daily Routine With A Workspace For The Reader To Design Their Own Schedule