The Sandwich Generation and Time Management
By Ewa Frydel, Owner
The Sandwich Generation is a term used to describe those who care for their aging parents and their own growing children. This is a difficult position to be in and much of the challenges are due to how time is managed. Although being from the Sandwich Generation is overwhelming, there are ways to balance your caregiving responsibilities. It’ll take some effort on your part, but after practice you may find yourself developing new habits that suit your roles and help the process flow smoothly.
Prioritize. Take 30-minutes or an hour to yourself with a notepad and pen. List out all of the tasks that you are responsible for in an entire week. Having a calendar at hand is helpful, too. Don’t focus on the priorities yet, just list out everything you can think of: laundry, cooking, your son’s soccer practice, mom’s optometrist appointment… anything. Then number each task 1, 2 or 3. Number one indicates the top priority. Two represents an urgency but can wait a day or two. Three means it can be the last task you need to worry about.
Next, plug in all of your number one priorities into your calendar. Choose days in the week where you know they need to happen and carefully select a day earlier in the week if you’re unsure of the exact date and time. Do this with the number two priorities. By now you will see how quickly your week builds. What is left is room for your number three priorities. Be sure to include self-care in there, too! Looking at your schedule this way will help you see where you do have time for your own well-being. Try to make this a ritual every Sunday to get a great start to your week. If you’re struggling finding time, consider delegating.
Always remember you are not alone. One of the top ways to manage time is to delegate. Having the support of an in-home caregiver can greatly reduce stress and save time. If your kids are old enough, can they help? How about your partner? What would your week look like if you had an extra five, ten, or fifteen hours? Could you spend it with your children? Your spouse? How about a little self-care and time for your hobbies?
You may even notice you have time to actually visit with your aging parents rather than work around them each time. Hiring a caregiver does not mean you remove yourself from the entire picture, but it does mean you can focus on your well-being and become an even greater family caregiver. There is no reason to feel guilty about that!
Take breaks. Seriously! It seems like an oxymoron but breaks have been proven to make us more productive. If you’re looking to continue being a family caregiver, then you’ll want to make sure you’re feeling joy about it. Taking breaks helps us take a breath and put our minds at ease. It can help reduce high blood pressure and increase energy levels. Even ten minutes every two hours is helpful, but try to shoot for fifteen. Go outside and get fresh air. Watch funny videos on your phone. Meditate or do yoga. Exercise is a great way to feel less tired and overwhelmed, so try to incorporate movement into one or two of your break sessions.
Do not be afraid to ask for help. It may seem that you have to take time out just to train someone on the amazing tasks you do, but it will be worth it. Stay on top of your calendar each week and look into resources that can help support you during this challenging time.
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Legal Disclaimer
This blog provides general information and discussions about time management for the sandwich generation and should not be construed as medical advice.
