Tag: zerotohero

Who is the Sandwich Generation?

The Sandwich Generation term was originated by Dorothy Miller, a social worker. The term means to be “sandwiched” between caring for children and caring for aging or ailing parents.

The typical age for those in the sandwich generation is between 40 and 59 years. Sandwichers in this age bracket tend to have older adult children and parents in their elder age.

Then there are those like me. Young children, younger ailing parents, and just hit my 30’s. While different, the underlying feelings are the same.

We all feel the same “sandwich.” While each of us have different stories, different trials, and different ways to manage the day, we feel that squeeze.

The desire to do the best, to do more, to do it all, runs us into the ground. We lay in bed kicking ourselves because we forgot to do one thing. We toss and turn, analyzing every decision we made. We wonder are we really doing everything right?

The answer is, WE ARE.

We are only ONE person. We will doubt ourselves, spread ourselves thin, and sometimes lose ourselves in being everything for everyone else.

That’s okay. Just remind yourself, you are ONE person. You do not have to have all the answers. You do not have to do it all. Instead let’s take it one step at a time.

Introduction

While I wear many hats and play many roles, I’m Charlotte.

I am the mother to 3 children Roni (7), Josi (4), and Liam (1). My husband Jeryd and I are high school sweethearts from a “blink and you miss it” small town.

I am also the daughter of a disabled veteran. For the last 7 years I’ve cared for my father. I’ve driven hundreds of miles, to countless appointments, ordered hundreds of medications, and spoken with more specialists than I can keep track of.

In these last 7 years I’ve graduated not once but twice. Most recently with my Masters Degree. It is something I am incredibly proud of.

Yet, when I go to start my life I find myself asking, “But who am I really?” The heart of it comes down to, I am Charlotte, Mom, Caregiver, Wife, Friend.

Members of the Sandwich Generation find hardships in finding time for themselves, finances, and balancing their time. I understand. I live it each and every day.

Who Am I?

It’s hard to say exactly who I am. At any given moment I’m wearing multiple hats. Am I Mom? Am I a Caregiver? Am I a wife? Or am I just Charlotte?

Needless to say, I am all of the above. I am a member of what people call the “Sandwich Generation.” While raising my 3 children, I am also caring for my disabled father and step mother. No two days are the same and yet the years seem to pass on in a blur.

For 7 years I’ve been caring for my disabled Veteran father. This last year my step mother’s ailments have caught up with her too. From the physical to the mental disabilities, I’ve been privy to talking with specialists, doctors, emergency room teams, and Veterans waiting to be seen. All while carrying at least one child and typically entertaining two or more.

This blog will be the combination of finding myself and creating a community for other caregivers, moms, and everyone in between to find themselves as well.

I’ll share tips and tricks relating to managing schedules, dividing your time, and finding yourself. Your true self, outside of all the hats you wear.