Sandwich Generation Month
Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009
1 of every 8 Americans aged 40 to 60 is both raising a child and caring for a parent.
Did you know July is National Sandwich Generation Month? I didn’t know it was an official month, but I was familiar with the term.
According to Wikipedia:
In the United States, Sandwich Generation Month is a month of awareness to commemorate and celebrate the dedication, patience and caring of adults who are part of the Sandwich Generation – those caring for their children as well as their own aging parents. Sandwich Generation is officially registered within the National Special Events Registry as an annual national observation, occurring each July 1-31.
I know a little about that situation. My Dad passed away when he was 52 and my Mom is still very independent and active at age 85. Both of my husband’s parents have passed away, but there was a time in their last days when we saw some of the Sandwich Generation affect. We were caring for our own 3 children and also looking after my husband’s parents. They lived a few miles away from us. It’s not only parents, but our siblings too, that can need looking after.
Being in the Sandwich Generation isn’t strictly a Baby Boomer thing. My sympathy goes out to that 1 of every 8 Americans aged 40 to 60 who is both raising a child and caring for a parent (from Pew Research Center).
If you’re in this Sandwich Generation, hat’s off to you. Let us know how things are going! It has to be really difficult to juggle all the things being thrown your way.


