Sandwich Generation

Well I find myself part of the Sandwich Generation. I'm the meat in the middle. I didn't even know I was part of this tasty, tantilizing group until recently!! You might be part of it too, if you're reading this...

What is this Sandwich Generation? It's a term that refers to middle-aged adults who are caring for elderly parents and their own children. Ta-dah! That's me. Reluctantly. Not beause I don't love them to bits, but I certainly didn't expect to be here at the age of 59. The image I had of what 59 would look like when I was 30 was waaaaaay different to where I find myself right now.

Life's tough. It's thrown a lot of curve balls my way. I'll share them as time goes on. I find myself caring for my 79 year old mum and 21 year old son. Mum's (yep, I'm an Aussie) ageing with quite a few medical conditions impacting on her quality of life and my beautiful son is living with serious mental health issues that impact his day-to-day life.

We live together in a multigenerational household. We have done since my son was a baby and my marriage went to hell in a handcart just after he was born (more on that later).

I've been nursing for 35 years and trying to juggle the madness of solo parenting, an unrelenting care giving job, home-schooling my son and adult-child caring for my parents (I cared for Dad before his passing 10 years ago). Needless to say, there have been many, many times when things haven't been great. Far from it. Far, far from it...

I plan to share it all, warts and all. Hopefully my story will resonant with others and together we can support one another, grieve for what 'should have or could have been' and celebrate all that is good in our lives.

The image isn't really accurate - there's two people in the middle. Nuh, not for this little black duck. Just little ole me. And that little kid looks kinda cute...