Most people enjoy a good sandwich; my favorites are bacon, lettuce, and tomato and a freshly grilled hamburger with all the trimmings. Yum!

While we enjoy eating sandwiches, we don’t enjoy BEING sandwiched. Many of you who are reading this are, like me, caught between so many different demands that it’s like being sandwiched. Your parents may be needing extra help, your children may still be at home or at least not yet completely independent or you may be a grandparent, you are probably working a full-time job and your employer wants a significant amount of your time, you have responsibilities at home and church, and don’t forget your spouse or significant other! Wait a minute: What about YOU??

We can get so caught up in all of these commitments that we overlook the necessity of caring for ourselves. When we neglect our minds, bodies, and spirits, we are not as able to meet the other demands in our lives. It is essential that we step back and regularly set aside time for ourselves to do something that nourishes us.

Some suggestions for finding that nourishment:

• Take a solitary walk. Reflect and pray as you walk.
• Set aside an hour one day a week during which you read something for pure enjoyment.
• Engage in a hobby. Maybe your hobby is watching a favorite TV show, playing a sport, baking cookies, wood working, needle crafts, etc.
• Have an annual physical.
• Set aside an evening to spend with friends.
• Plan a date with your spouse or significant other.
• Intentionally listen for God’s voice. You may hear God speak during prayer, through others, in nature, through scripture, in worship, etc.
• Count your blessings and give thanks. No matter how bad your situation, there are still things for which to be thankful.
• Offer praise to God daily.

There will always be things that need to be done, but it’s important to take care of yourself first. Those things will still need to be done, but you will have more focus, energy, and patience for them after having taken some time for personal nourishment.

 

Resources

http://sandwichgeneration.org

http://bandbacktogether.com/sandwich-generation-resources/

http://money.cnn.com/2007/02/20/magazines/moneymag/tug_of_war.moneymag/

The Family Squeeze: Surviving the Sandwich Generation [Paperback], by Suzanne Kingsmill and Benjamin Schlesinger. $29.95.

The Sandwich Generation refers to the growing numbers of middle-aged people who must care for both children and elderly parents while trying to manage the stress of full-time jobs. Advances in technology and medicine are helping us to live longer – but not without extended care from our families. At the same time, the economic climate is making it difficult for young adults to leave home and start their own lives; they are often ‘boomeranged’ back to their parents for financial help, emotional support, and accommodation.

In The Family Squeeze, the authors trace the day-to-day life of a typical family caught up in this situation. They guide the reader through various scenarios, paying particular attention to the ‘woman in the middle,’ who has traditionally been the caregiver to young and old but is now also a full-time member of the workforce. Each scenario is followed by comments, advice, and suggestions that will help the reader understand each stage of the game. The resource section includes an extensive annotated bibliography, as well as a list of selected services in Canada and the United States. Internet resources are also listed.

Any person who is, or about to become, a member of the Sandwich Generation will find this a helpful guide for coping with the conflicting demands of family and work.