Trying to Survive and Thrive While Dealing with Aging Parents, Young Children, Work and Everything In-Between

I am a Bologna Sandwich Generation Mom who is trying to survive and thrive while dealing with aging parents, being involved with young children, juggling work priorities, keeping a home running on all cylinders and anything else involving “me-time” (ha!).  No matter how much I would like to be described in other terms, the pseudo-meat filler between slabs of bread and condiments seems an appropriate portrayal.  My life right now is ruled by just how well I am able to hold all sandwich pieces together.

As I spoke with a client who runs a successful architect firm, we both were laughing our socks off as we described who had had the most harrowing last week of school and who was really screwed in the next two weeks as the summer kicks off. After all, this time of the year takes even the most list-oriented, detail-driven person (that’s me) and makes a mockery of any skill one thought that she had here. Between baseball Allstar games which needed overnight laundering of uniform, dance recital costume preparation and execution, special snack baking as well as various cash gifts to impart on teachers, coaches and such, it’s no wonder I literally came unglued when my dear old hubby dared to ask if I had gotten the checkbook reconciled. 

These are the moments where I cling to my self-proclaimed declaration of being a Wabi-Sabist. Wabi-Sabi is an ancient Japanese mindset and aesthetic which values being who you are – flaws and all- as well as enjoying the journey versus just fighting to get to the destination. It’s really easy to feel like a failure or that you just can’t do it all when you are at a point in your life like the Bologna Sandwich Generation Mom. If instead I reframe my perspective and savor the good parts more than I ream myself about the bad parts, I move closer to survival.  Add to this the times where I am able to communicate effectively, be tapped into my talents and strengths and keep all of my family members moving in the right direction and I come close to reaching Nirvana. 

This is my first blog as a Bologna Sandwich Generation Mom.  I’m not going to be a whiner about how tough it is but rather use this forum for real discussions based on what my life and those around me are like and cover strategies which get to the surviving and thriving part. Things like what to do as your mom gets retirement fever.   Getting your family to clean the house.  Multi-generational living – when it makes sense or not. Improving your professional package.  Dinner menu planning.

Give me your hot topics as a Bologna Sandwich Generation Mom and we’ll cover them as we go along.

Enjoy the journey, wabi-sabi style. - Gwen