Ahh! Feels good to finally put my feet up. Undoing my jeans helped too. Gotta knock off those extra five pounds. Ok, ten.
The house is finally quiet. The kids are in their rooms, finishing up homework before bed – or at least that’s what I hope they are doing. Probably chatting online with friends or playing some videogame. Damn tech!! They’ve got 30 minutes before I start texting them to take a shower. I’m too tired to walk upstairs, but of course I’ll do that if it comes to it.
The dinner dishes are washed and there are leftovers in the fridge for the school lunches tomorrow. The clothes dryer is whirring away downstairs. It’s been a good and productive evening.
I think back on Mum’s medical appointment today. Glad it went well. The doctor was reasonably on time too – bonus! No more appointments for a while, although I should check in with her financial advisor soon about that outstanding issue.
I pick up my phone and the date displayed on the screen seems vaguely familiar. What is it? Hmm. Oh no! Oh yes!! Today is my best friend’s birthday and I haven’t even texted her, let alone bought and sent a card. Better call, if it isn’t too late already. Wonder if we can find a day in the next month (or two) to get a pedicure together.
That new program on Netflix will have to wait a while longer. …
* * *
Being a member of the “Jam Gen” (a.k.a. Sandwich Generation) can be a lonely, sometimes sad and often exhausting place. There are lots of resources online and in the community to help you cope. This site is not intended to fill that need.
Instead, “Living the Jam Gen” is a look at the lighter side of being sandwiched between your parents and your kids – by seeing the humour and absurdity of the situations in which you find yourself. For me, humour is a counterbalance to the weight of raising kids and parenting parents at the same time. Because if I couldn’t laugh, I would be crying instead. So I hope you will share in some of my humour and know that you are not alone.
Still not sure if you are a member of the Jam Gen? Read on! If any of this rings true, you probably are:
YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THE JAM GEN IF …
Cheers,
Marina
Congratulations, my good writing buddy!
Looking forward to hearing more of your sandwich generation adventures. Having just graduated from that, I’m sadly realizing your blog will be most useful for my kids.
Much love and hugs to you!!❤️❤️
Thank you so much for your encouragement, Pam!
Good job Marina. Your wonderful sense of humor will help both you and your reader get through this difficult part of your life. I look forward to following you on your journey.
Write on!
June
Navigating through life is indeed a wonderful and sometimes challenging journey – and a privilege. Thanks so much for your kind words, June!
How exciting, Marina–congratulations on your stylish, swish blog! Your wonderful pieces of writing are so entertaining to read. The lively content will resonate very well with the Jam Gen and with those who have already experienced those heady days. It is undoubtedly a busy, exhausting time of life, and for you, Marina, to be able to capture it from a lighter perspective is a gift to the readers. My best wishes to you. Blog on!
Thanks for your always positive feedback, Connie. Greatly appreciated!
Most people find our gen as part of a limited edition, in that we are the only ones to look backwards and the earlier folks as well as forwards towards the millenials. 🙂
Thanks, Mujib! Yes, we are certainly squeezed in the middle of our parents’ and children’s generations. Definitely a unique place to be, as you have pointed out.
Congrats Marina!! Great writing, looking forward to more!!can definitely relate!
Thanks for the positive feedback, Debbie! Glad it rings true.
Hi Marina,
I think this is an ideal forum for you bring out the the best ( and maybe sometimes the worst) on being the jam in the sandwich! I look forward to the nex t installment!
Cheers from Andrew and Nilda.
Thanks for reading the blog and your comment, Andrew! Sign up for the newsletter to stay in easy contact for future posts.
Hi there, I read your blogs on a regular basis. Your humoristic style is witty, keep it up!
Thanks so much, Genevieve! Nice to hear you are enjoying the posts.
Great article Marina! I can relate completely. Well written.
Thanks, Mary Ann! So glad you had a moment to take a look – I know you lead a very busy life. Very much appreciate your positive feedback. 🙂