family

I Am A Sandwich Generation Superhero #sandgen

playing july 21, 2012 015

What a difference a year makes. Readers of thriftymommastips.com know all about this journey we have been on with my mom. It started one year ago and led us down a really rough path for a long period of time. It was tragic, drastic, devastating emotionally and financially, and it has left us all changed.

Last summer, my Mom spent the greater part of two months in London hospitals as we tried to figure out what was going on. She was hallucinating and she was confused. Meanwhile her symptoms escalated. It was a sad and exhausting time _ one I couldn’t write about because it was too close to the bone last summer. Eventually my Mom received her diagnosis (dementia, a term that falls under the Alzheimer’s disease umbrella) and after many assessments, and months of advocating, we were able to move her to a great retirement home near me. Now, it is more likely that  I find my Mom in my backyard hanging out waiting for me, or shooting hoops on a Sunday morning. And frankly today that is a welcome event after the trauma of the year that went by.

The experience of the last year was not without its merits or rewards. I came out the other side a Sandwich Generation Superhero.

 Sandwich Generation Superhero Powers

1. My Spidey sense: This can now be used to find free parking nearby any hospital. (This is tricky because hospitals really like to overcharge and stress out families of the sick.)

2. Herculean strength: to juggle tiny children and keep them safe while navigating visits on a hospital psych or emergency ward.

3. Shapeshifting: Mystique’s ability to turn into anything came in handy when I became a magician at distracting same children on psych ward so they didn’t freak out or know where we were. Also same powers can be used for changing shape and size as needed to sneak in and out of hospitals after and before visiting hours.

4. Mindbending: The ability to argue effectively with neurologists and leverage political contacts to fix that which is broken or remove that which is obstructing my path. Best used to bend their will and make them see your point of view.

5. Mrs. Incredible’s super bendy arms. Because really I needed extra long arms carrying personal items back and forth, transporting children and bridging both my old life and new life.

6. Superman’s ability to fly: In my minivan, faster than the speed of light when necessary to defuse volatile situations and to transport my Mom back and forth over great distances.

Are you a sandwich generation superhero? Even if you aren’t yet, you can use the resources here at comfortlife.ca to build your strength and grow your resources. My previous posts are here: Five Tips For Talking Money with Your Aging Parents and here is the first part of our story.

Parenting your parents while parenting your own children is outrageously hard work, you can use the help and once in a while you can use a laugh or two. P.S. Don’t forget to take time for yourself.

iphone jan 2012 154iphone jan 2012 156

(Us, in the days before we acquired our superhero powers)

I’m a Sandwich Generation Brand Ambassador for Comfort Life. 

Comfort life is Canada’s trusted resource for retirement living and care. www.comfortlife.ca

Follow the conversation on Twitter and don’t forget to LIKE Comfort Life on Facebook

Mom of two beautiful active girls, traveller, fitness junkie, social media consultant, and keeper of the sanity.

5 Comments

  • Denise G

    I can totally related to the having to go through dealing with your mother who has dimentia. I have discussed it as well on my blog 50Plus Single BBW. Somehow it does make me feel a bit better after writing about it. I don’t have any children – and so yes you are a super-mom for sure! I don’t know how you do it! Lots of hugs to you and stay strong!

  • Brandi Yee

    You are awesome for helping your mom while she’s gone through all that. And you’re awesome for hanging in there. I worked at a nursing home for over 7 years and it broke my heart how many family members would just leave their loved one abondoned once they had Alzheimers or dementia. You will be a stronger person because of the experience and definitely a super-mom!! Hang in there and know you’re doing your best, and you’re doing great 🙂

  • Brandi Yee

    You are awesome for helping your mom while she’s gone through all that. And you’re awesome for hanging in there. I worked at a nursing home for over 7 years and it broke my heart how many family members would just leave their loved one abondoned once they had Alzheimers or dementia. You will be a stronger person because of the experience and definitely a super-mom!! Hang in there and know you’re doing your best, and you’re doing great 🙂

  • The Zoo

    Love the Superhero analogy. I guess you have to try and find a way to smile through the tough times. I nkow I do with the loss of my son.

    I’m sure your mother is so proud of all that you do for her and all that you have become. She does get some credit (smile).

    It’s easy to share the good times, thanks for sharing the tough ones too.

    Besos, Sarah
    Zookeeper at Journeys of The Zoo