Sandwich Generation
posted in Post Partum |No, not real sandwiches, but I do like them, whether I’m pregnant or not. Here’s what I mean:
I am part of what my dad likes to call “the sandwich generation.” What that means is that I am smack dab in the middle of the young (my babies) and the old (grandparents) and because of that, I stand a good chance of changing diapers of the young and the old at the same time. While it hasn’t gotten to that point thankfully, I must admit that my attention is rather split when we have certain “elderly” company. Sometimes it’s like having another toddler around. They want to help but sometimes just don’t know appropriate ways to, and so they must both (the young toddler and the elderly toddler) be kept busy in productive and meaningful ways. Otherwise they find their own ways to help which are often exactly opposite. Yikes. It’s a tough spot to be in sometimes, but I’m about family, so it doesn’t matter that it can be tough.
Anyway, we have had this company off and on now since Jeannie was born about 7 weeks ago. On one hand, I’m glad and enjoy it, on the other hand, I feel like now is not the time. I have my own small children to watch after and take care of, and of course a new baby. So every now and then, my “sandwich” feels a little lumpy. Today is an okay day, but I wanted to explain this situation anyway.
I know there are nursing homes and senior communities, but if conditions allow and my family wants, I would always do what I can to keep them where ever they are most comfortable, even if it means in our home and being sandwiched for awhile.
Of course, if you are part of the “sandwich generation” too, and are in a similar or worse position, you probably already know that sanitation can become a problem. If otherwise “clean” people are expected to wash their hands before holding a newborn (to prevent your new baby from coming into contact with foreign germs) then incontinence around the home would certainly become a health issue too. I know that urine is sterile at first, but it’s so sterile that germs love it and will multiply like mad if given the chance. So it needs to be taken care of right away, whether in a diapers, on the floor, or in the toilet. (Sorry if the idea grosses you out, but the need to pee is a fact of life for any somewhat healthy body).
To help curb this possible problem (I also have little boys too, who may sometimes miss the toilet on sleepy mornings) I use Flylady’s “swish and swipe” habits in the bathroom, and I change the hand towels everyday. I’m doing wash all the time anyway, so it’s no big deal to toss them in. Of course I wash my hands after all diaper changes or dirty jobs too. My little angels are worth the lotion necessary to keep my hands from chapping.
I also like to use some basic cleaners, like glass cleaner on the sinks, and a natural cleaner everywhere else. Just in case I run out of that, I like to keep vinegar and baking soda on hand.
Whether you are sandwiched or not, Flylady can be helpful. And if you already have good habits in place, it’s easier to deal with being sandwiched.
Sheilah 
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