Sandwiched Boomers and the Gift of Time

As a Sandwiched Boomer caring for parents growing older and kids growing up, perhaps you're feeling under more pressure this week. The days are flying by and there's still so much to do for the holidays. And you may not be finished shopping for your Hanukah, Christmas or Kwanzaa presents. How about a few more ideas that won't break the bank?

Photo by Brainedge - Flickr.com

Give of yourself. Enjoy time with your friends by inviting them over for an evening of fun. Organize a potluck and have them bring their signature dish. Cut down on expenses by exchanging memories instead of presents. Or express yourself and create some of your holiday gift items. Make a coupon book filled with orders for good deeds. Add a personal touch by baking and decorating cookies with the kids. Show others you care with an IOU to babysit so they can have a much needed night out.

Give to yourself. Take some down time over the holidays and get comfortable with you. For a couple of hours each day, try not to focus on your problems. Curl up with a great book from the library, watch the ballgame with your teens or take your grandkids to the park. Enjoy peace of mind by paying down your debts. Hold back from buying lots of gifts or taking the family on an expensive outing. Decide together how to spend a fun and relaxing day. Your family will understand and grow from the experience.

The holidays don't always have to look like a Norman Rockwell painting.

You create more stress if you stick only to old routines and traditions. Try not to operate on automatic pilot. Begin to lay the groundwork for change in your gift giving rituals. As you can see, it doesn't have to cost you anything but time. And when money is tight and life is challenging, connection and support can mean the most.

It will be a gift to yourself when you recreate the joy of simpler days. Small changes can represent a new beginning. Take heart as you give a little that feels like a lot. And in these hard times, that's a good lesson for all of us.

Happy Father's Day

We want to give a big shout out to our husbands, sons and all fathers on their special day!

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, it's estimated that over 154,000 of the approximately 70 million fathers across the nation are stay-at-home dads. These Mr. Moms, with children younger than age 15, have been out of the workforce for at least a year and caring for the family while their wives work outside the home.

That's a huge shift over the past several years and can create a lot of stress on families. So this Father's Day, don't buy into the commercialism that fancy ties will make the man in your life happy. If you want better communication, be direct about what you want, appreciate your partner's opinions and be willing to compromise. Give the gift of understanding as you build greater communication skills and strengthen your emotional ties.

The Holidays and the Gift of Time

We invite you to visit our website, HerMentorCenter.com. The articles, newsletters and videos you'll discover there are full of easy to implement strategies for you, members of the sandwich generation facing the challenges of parents growing older and kids growing up.

Please accept this gift from us - join the email list to the left of this post and begin to receive a free monthly newsletter with practical solutions to the problems of a family in flux. And you can also download a complimentary ebook on how to reach your goals.

Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Phyllis and Rosemary

As the meltdown in the economy and the crisis in confidence continue, are you still feeling stretched by the financial pressure? The responsibilities of the holiday season may be getting you down, especially if you're facing tough buying decisions. These are challenging times. This year, in more ways than one, you may just have to let go of the idea of a perfect Christmas, Hanukah or Kwanzaa.

Even though it's important to honor the tradition of giving, accumulating material things can't hold a candle to the gift that matters most. Bringing cheer to others can cheer you up as well. And you can do it without breaking the bank. With the holidays fast approaching, you certainly don't want more pressure. So follow these practical tips as you focus on more joy and less stuff:

Give the gift of connection. Put heart in your relationships. Arrange a regular weekly date with your parents. Invite them out to lunch, a museum or the movies. Send a card to someone with whom you've lost contact. Enclose a recent family photo, your email address and a promise to keep in touch. Drive an elderly neighbor to the grocery store, a doctor's appointment or the shopping mall.

Give to a worthy cause. Get the family or a group of friends together and spend a couple of hours helping at a homeless shelter. Pass forward gifts you've never used. Or bring some toys or clothes that are in good shape. Buy a small present for a street person you pass regularly and make eye contact when you give it. Put a big smile on your face and help cook the holiday dinner at a soup kitchen. Make a donation to Aunt Sue's favorite charity; every gift counts no matter how much you spend.

Give of yourself. Enjoy time with your friends by inviting them over for an evening of fun. Organize a potluck dinner and have them bring their signature dish. Cut down on expenses by exchanging memories instead of presents. Or express yourself and create some of your holiday gift items. Make a coupon book filled with orders for good deeds. Add a personal touch by baking decorative cookies with the kids. Show others you care with an IOU to babysit so they can have a much needed night out.

Give to yourself. Take some down time over the holidays. For a couple of hours each day, try not to focus on your problems. Curl up with a great book from the library, watch the ballgame with your teenagers or take your grandkids to the park. Enjoy peace of mind by paying down your debts. Hold back from buying lots of gifts or taking the family on an expensive outing. Decide together how to spend a fun and relaxing day. Your family will understand and may grow from the experience.

The holidays don't always have to look like a Norman Rockwell painting. Begin to lay the groundwork for change in your gift giving rituals. As you can see, it doesn't have to cost you anything but time. And when money is tight and life is challenging, connection and support mean the most.

It will be a gift to yourself when you recreate the joy of simpler days. Small changes can represent a new beginning. Take heart as you give a little that feels like a lot. And in these hard times, that's a good lesson for all of us.

As a member of the Sandwich Generation you have a lot on your plate. And with the holiday season fast approaching, you don't want to increase your stress level. Think about what is most important to you about the holidays. The challenge is to keep some balance in your life and still honor Christmas, Hanukah or Kwanzaa.

Begin to lay the groundwork for change in your gift giving rituals. Follow these practical tips to help keep stress in check as you focus on more joy and less stuff:

Give the gift of reconnection. Send a card to someone with whom you've lost contact. Enclose a recent family photo and your email address.

Invest time instead of money. Drive an elderly neighbor to the grocery store, a doctor's appointment or the shopping mall.

Give the gift of yourself. Arrange a regular date with your parents. Invite them to lunch, a museum or the movies.

It's when life is challenging that support and connection mean the most. Bringing cheer to others is a good way to cheer up. And what better time than during the holidays?