Sandwich generation - who is it?
Maria Goryeva , a practicing psychologist and a Master of Psychology, explained what the "sandwich generation" is.
The "sandwich generation" is a social phenomenon in which middle-aged women and men take care of their elderly parents and children who have not yet grown up. This term appeared and took hold not so long ago.
This phenomenon is called a "sandwich" because adult children are sort of between their parents and their children. They are involved in helping both parties and are forced to spend resources on them.
This increases stress and the load on the psyche. Let's add to this current affairs, work, everyday life and many other things that a modern person is concerned with.
Emotional burnout, depressive states, illness and dissatisfaction with life arise.
Life expectancy is growing, social benefits for the elderly are not high, and the culture of self-care is not yet so developed. It is not customary to send elderly parents to nursing homes, and the younger generation prefers to live with their parents for longer.
The sandwich generation syndrome cannot be overcome, on the contrary, it will gain momentum. But it can be alleviated by acknowledging its existence.
What to do in such a situation
It is important to stop in the hustle and bustle of everyday life and notice that you are in a vulnerable position. That several people depend on you financially and emotionally. Therefore, if you are in danger, they will automatically be unprotected too. The oxygen mask rule on the plane. "Put the mask on yourself, then on the child."
Therefore, it is vital to take care of yourself. Go to the doctor on time, have quality rest, do not overload yourself, give as much as you have. Do not take an emotional "loan" from yourself.
Prevention of the condition is easier than its correction later. If problems with the psycho-emotional state have already arisen, it is necessary to contact a psychologist or psychiatrist for further diagnosis.
In order to "take out" everything that is on your shoulders, you need to share responsibility with other relatives. Social workers can help with elderly parents' affairs, neighbors can look after them, and the parents themselves can take on some of the responsibilities for themselves.
Your grown-up children are also capable of taking some responsibility for themselves. And the older they are, the more independent they become. This is, of course, ideal, but there is something to strive for.
