I write about money and the issues of being caught in between generations. Most of us call this the sandwich generation. but it has occured to me lately that sandiwch is much too orderly a picutre. My life is hardly neatly stacked between parents and children. I deal with issues with aging cousins and aunts, worry about the care aging siblings might need — seems like it comes from all sides. anybody have a better word than “sandwich” to describe this time of life?
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HI, Annamarie,
Thanks for joining in. Whether co-renting or co-owning, getting a compatible mix of people, and ensuring financial and personal security, are certainly number one.
There are so many intentional community and shared housing models o
The term ‘sandwich generation’ is so commonly used that folks know what you mean. But you are so right, it’s never as clean as it may sound. Where do you write? I write on sandwich generation issues too – from a caregiver perspective at http://alzheimerscaregiving.com. If you find another term to use, let me know.
I write at http://www.moneyinthemiddle.com, about the financial issues of being part of the sandwich generation. I’m on the search for new words — everytime I write about “working in retirement” I realize that phrase — which is becoming quite common — sure doesn’t make much sense. Some one just suggested we talk about the phase of life as reinvention.
We coach the sandwich generation, especially boomer women facing the challenges of parents growing older and children growing up. I agree that the term doesn’t even get close to describing the chaos and stress that often accompany this stage of life. I’ve heard it called the club sandwich generation, too big to bite off and the panini, squished between too many responsibilities.
Our blog, NourishingRelationships.blogspot.com, sounds to some like a porn site and has been known to get caught up in spam filters. Although the name doesn’t reflect this cohort – so much for branding – it’s what we intend to do. That is, provide a community where women can find information, discuss the family issues they’re grappling with, and gain support. Reinvent, rewire, refire all sound uplifting – and seem to allow for the possibility of caring for family and still nourishing yourself.
My vote is for weary, or tired (of lots of things), exhausted, pulled, selfless, barely conscious… and my vote is for weary or exhausted.