Baby Boomers get a bad rap sometimes. We've been called self-absorbed and spoiled. Our inevitable impact over the decades has been received with ... mixed feelings by the ones coming up behind us, overshadowed by our sheer numbers.
But while Boomers wield a lot of weight we also carry a lot of weight on our shoulders. In many of our homes, we are taking care of our children, both teens and young adults still at home, or needing support in school, or starting out in careers and home ownership. Some of us look after our grandchildren so our children are free to go to their jobs or back to school.
Many Boomers are taking care of their parents, running errands, making meals and providing care for elders no longer able to do these things for themselves. Even Boomers living far away from their parents offer care by remote as it were, with phone calls and email, and staying in touch with nursing homes or neighbors.
We're called the Sandwich Generation because so many of us are supporting the younger and the older generation. This is done out of love, but it can leave a Baby Boomer perennially exhausted, and feeling like no matter what they do, it's never enough.
Nothing highlights, emphasizes and tightens the screws quite like Christmas.
Have you bought enough gifts for your kids? Are you up to your elbows baking cookies, cooking turkey dinners, and creating a proper holiday ambience in your home?
Have you made sure your parents are comfortable? Have you been able to visit and spread holiday cheer? How's the family chauffeuring and personal shopper business going? Still got gas in the car?
And you ... are you running out of gas?
Christmas can be a wonderful family time of year. It can also stretch you in more directions than being drawn and quartered. Does all you can give ever feel like enough? And is there anything left over for you and your main squeeze, so often pushed to the bottom of the list?
Let this Christmas be the turning point for Baby Boomers running on empty, trying to take care of the people they love. Carve out a little time to listen to your favorite holiday music. Sit and dream, gazing at the Christmas lights on the tree you put up because your children wanted one.
All those goodies you made ... keep a few for yourselves. That ambience you've created in your home ... take a few minutes and drink it in.
Yep, you may be pressed on all sides. But hopefully all that crowding is by people you love. So while you may feel like there's no room to turn around ... Turn to those loved ones and bask in their presence. Even if it's just for a minute. And allow yourself to have a merry little Christmas, now.
Visit Jody's website and blog at http://www.ncubator.ca and http://ncubator.ca/blogger