Leaving the snowy hamlets of New Hampshire behind, the presidential candidates are headed for Michigan and the warmer venues of South Carolina and Florida - all of this before they launch into meeting the voters in the multiple primaries on "super Tuesday," February 5. Based on their results so far, candidates are now re-evaluating strategies, changing staffers or even dropping out of the race completely. Daily, the pollsters and pundits are telling us who is ahead and the spin doctors, why. Is Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama the real agent of change for Democrats? Is John McCain or Mike Huckabee the Republican front runner? How will Mitt Romney or Rudy Giuliani stage a comeback? It's enough to make your own head spin.

Are you wondering what you, a Sandwiched Boomer, can learn from the candidates as they continue their grueling run for President? The challenges you encounter every day as you take care of your growing children and aging parents may be played out on a smaller stage but they are no less stressful for you. January is a good time for you also to stop and evaluate your own progress toward your goals.

As you have no doubt told your children, you can learn from mistakes as well as from successes. If one choice for the care of your aging parents hasn't worked, re-evaluate that decision and institute your plan B. Deep down, you may know that it is time to make a change, but it is hard to do. That's when you need to gather support from the rest of your family and friends. Stay positive and recognize that you don't have to do it all at once - pace yourself in the process. Draw upon your tenacity and strength as you continue your own march forward, one step at a time.

As the spin doctors continue to review what went right with Hillary Clinton's campaign in New Hampshire, the significant moment seems to be when, exhausted, she choked up, expressing her emotions of frustration, sadness, resignation. The voters saw a person who was not removed and isolated from them, but one who suffered, just as they did, from the complexity of life. Her humanness came through.

Are you afraid to show your own emotions to those around you? As a Sandwiched Boomer you may often be at your wits end, coming to the aid of your ailing parents or growing children. Do you try to protect your family from knowing how hard it is for you? Instead of burying your feelings with a stoic attitude, trust your family and reveal the depth of your feelings to them. You will find that they understand your reactions better when they know more about where you are coming from. And you might even find yourself getting more help and support from those around you as you cope with the stress and challenges you face as a member of the Sandwich Generation. So go ahead and have a good cry, you deserve it. And then let a loved one dry your tears and give you a warm, embracing hug.

Yesterday was a day for political comebacks - both Hillary Clinton and John McCain overcame their losses in Iowa and won in New Hampshire, surprising pundits, volunteers and maybe even themselves. As they each addressed their cheering crowds last night, we thought about the support that had sustained them in their struggles. What can we Sandwiched Boomers learn from them to apply to our own stressful challenges?

Chelsea Clinton has been on the campaign trail stumping for her mother all over the state; John McCain specifically thanked each of his seven children for their efforts. The candidates were able to ask their children to pitch in and help them out when they needed it. We too need to recognize that our offspring can step up and have a greater degree of participation in the responsibilities we face. At each stage of their development, there are certain jobs we can give them - with increasing levels of complexity and importance. This reliance on them is a win-win situation for all - our burdens ease as we delegate chores and responsibilities and, at the same time, our sons and daughters mature and learn to depend on themselves. They are then less likely to boomerang back into the nest when they become young adults. It's a matter of first recognizing what kinds of things we can ask of them and then actually doing so, even if they resist at first.

You don't have to wait until you run in a presidential primary to initiate your growing children into the responsibilities of adulthood - you can begin today to create a healthier sandwich. It's not too late to make your own comeback, relying on the support of your family. Bon appetit!

John McCain is the Republican frontrunner in New Hampshire. Only last month, when his campaign manager quit and his funds were low, it looked as if his race was over. But just like his tenacity served him while imprisoned during the Vietnam war, it has defined him in this political marathon. Reflect on his example.

As a Sandwiched Boomer, access and rely on your own strength. Dig deep and find your inner voice – listen to what it has to say about caring for your family relationships and nurturing yourself personally. Set some specific goals about what you need from your family and for you. Step by step, work toward achieving them.

As the presidential campaign heats up the cold New Hampshire winter, our focus is very specific: how the value of support simply cannot be overestimated. As Sandwiched Boomers in the midst of dealing with aging parents and growing children, do you need help in finding support for yourself? Over the next week, through the eyes of political candidates, we're going to teach you how to go about getting it.

Oprahbama, the big O's, Oprah and the Obamas – sounds like a rock band on a road trip. When Oprah hit the campaign trail, her candidate played the celebrity card and their fan base responded. Change is a major pillar of Obama's speeches and his message is spreading like wildfire. And who better than you can grasp the effects of change?

1. Knowledge is power, so try to fully understand the difficult transitions your family in flux is going through. Begin by talking with them.
2. Gather material from the Internet’s search engines about how to manage change. Find the niche websites and blogs that address the family issues you are managing.
3. Scour the self-help section of bookstores for titles and table of contents that address the problems you are facing. Then buy the book and apply what works for your particular situation.
4. Engage in conversation with friends and family who have gone through similar experiences, in order to get realistic feedback. Implement their concrete advice about how to proceed, step by step.