What’s common between Abhishek Bachchan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and hundreds of other people? Well, contemporary times have led to modern relationships and families, and a new term called ‘Sandwich Generation‘ is what makes these celebs and other people similar. But does the term ‘Sandwich Generation’ mean and what are pros and cons of it? Read on to know all about it here:
Sandwich Generation
The Sandwich Generation refers to people in their mid 30s, 40s and 50s, who are caring for their aging parents while also supporting their own children. These people are generally juggling financial, emotional, and caregiving responsibilities for both generations– the ones who are older to them, and those who are younger to them as both these generations are their dependents. They are practically sandwiched between two different generations, and hence called the Sandwich Generation.
Some of the most common challenges of the Sandwich Generation include balancing work, family, and caregiving– all of which can be overwhelming at times. Sandwich Generation also often face problems like:
1. Financial constraints: Covering expenses for children’s education while managing aging parents’ medical bills.
2. Emotional stress: Dealing with parental aging issues while ensuring their children receive proper attention and education can be challenging at times.
3. Time constraints: Sandwich Generation often struggles to strike a balance between their career demands with caregiving duties.
Here’s how Sandwich Generation can cope with their challenges
1. Financial planning: Setting long term financial goals like savings, insurance, and retirement plans to ease their burden. It also helps them have a financial plan and stick to it to lead a comfortable lifestyle.
2. Seek support and help when needed: There’s no harm in asking help from extended family or hire maids or staff to help you with household chores. Relying on siblings, support groups, or professional caregivers can help ease one’s burdens so that you can focus on other pressing issues.
3. Self-care: Managing stress through exercise, hobbies, and personal time is important. Remember, you can help others only when you take care of yourself and fill your cup first.
The Sandwich Generation plays a crucial role in family life, yet it requires strong emotional resilience and smart planning. With proper strategies, they can effectively manage their dual responsibilities while maintaining their own well-being.
