That was really hard to write.

When I started writing here, I had been slapped silly into the Sandwich Generation and I knew as a wrote that I’d eventually be writing about my mother’s death, and I did.

I had no idea what would come after that, and I’m kind of glad I didn’t what with my father’s immediate descent into back problems, a wheel chair and surgery, as well as his step-mother and his brother dying all within 9 months after my mother’s death.

When you write about aging and elderly parents and such, it’s easy to be maudlin or sappy, some of this is no fun. But, it’s not all sturm und drang, either, it’s just a new normal and you have to adjust and do the best you can.

In addition to having a place to write about my experiences with aging parents and young children, I’ve learned so much about senior issues and I know I’ll be using my new found knowledge again in the future. But, most of all, my time here has helped me realize that I’m not alone and I hope I’ve helped some of you along the way.

With that, I bid you farewell.

Please be sure to come see me at my personal site, Busy Mom Blog.

Post from: Blisstree

My farewell to GenBetween

A day that’s fun for kids both big and small can be overwhelming for seniors, especially those living alone or with dementia.

Be sure to check out some ways you can help the elderly celebrate Halloween.

Post from: Blisstree

Halloween and the elderly

Today is my last day here at Career and Kids.

As I leave you in Cherie’s capable hands, I just want you to know how much I’ve enjoyed my nearly 2 years with you discussing the issues and sometimes the trials and tribulations of managing work and family.

For many parents, working is just a fact of life, and it’s a choice for others. To me, it just is what it is.

Though society spends a lot of time analyzing and justifying every angle of every position, when it comes down to it, most people just want to raise their kids the best way they know how, and the presence or absence of a paycheck isn’t a measurement of success or skill in that arena.

But, if working along with parenting happens to be part of your journey, there are situations and issues that people have in common and we can learn from and support each other.

With that, I bid you a fond farewell.

Please be sure to stop by and see me every now and then at my personal site, Busy Mom Blog.

Post from: Blisstree

My farewell to Career and Kids

Their generation is well versed in making the best out of what they have and making things last, a lesson that most of us haven’t had to live. They can also teach us lessons about family and friends, banding together with one another, to pass the time and sometimes even to survive.

A strong work ethic is often the hallmark of someone who knew the Great Depression. Young people went to work early and contributed financially to the family and they learned self-reliance.

Saving money and living within one’s means is possibly the most important example many seniors give us. They know what it’s like to be without and, unfortunately many people are finding out that lesson the hard way right now.

Now, more than ever may be a good time to respect and learn from our elders.

Post from: Blisstree

Seniors teach us lessons from the Great Depression

Several years ago, when my mother got sick you may remember she was in and out of the hospital a lot and I stayed with her during those times.

Things got a might hairy for me as I lived at the hospital at night (and hoo boy, if something weird was going to happen, it sure happened then), worked during the day and took care of my family in the evenings.

I actually thought I was doing well until the night I thought the car radio was talking to me.

Anyway, when it became apparent that I may have been coming a tad unglued, I got an anonymous e-mail. Someone, I never did find out who it was, e-mailed me and said he/she was “ready to talk” about anything I wanted.

So, I did.

A lot. Which is totally unlike me to open up like that. We exchanged several e-mails, and with that he/she was gone.

My point is that when you’re not sure if you should reach out to someone who’s going through a rough time because you don’t know what to say, do it anyway. You’ll never know how much it could help someone.

Post from: Blisstree

The kindness of strangers

Work-life balance might be one of those sacrifices. For many people, having a job at all becomes more important than flexible working arrangements or vacations.

People may have to do whatever is asked of them, working longer and harder in order to keep their jobs:

Many workers already are resigned to new work hours. In Fort Lauderdale, Jason Kobrin puts in 50-hour work weeks “to be there for clients.”

Theoretically, no one is putting pressure on him or his staff, says Kobrin, area manager for Manpower Professional. There’s just the understanding that in the current climate, everyone needs to outwork the competition, he says.

But, in stressful times, it’s important to continue to take care of yourself by finding ways to work smarter to get the job done.

Post from: Blisstree

Work-life balance sacrificed in the current economy

It’s a simple reminder that no matter how much we want to do so, we can’t “fix” grief.

It’s important to let the grieving person know that you’ve not forgotten about their loved one, to support them with food, visits or notes when appropriate and to give them the time they need to heal.

The article also has a basic start for a sympathy note. Sometimes, we hesitate to reach out because we often don’t know what to say, but when in doubt, just assure the person that you’re there for them and they’re not alone.

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Responding to grief

It especially got my attention since the author is an only child like me, and her mother has become ill. However, she has to contend with the extra layer of living across the country from her parents.

I’ve enjoyed catching up on her site and she points us to another lovely site called Days With My Father, a photographic account of the author’s time with his 98 year old father.

You must check it out.

Post from: Blisstree

Senior Memos

And, he’s on the basketball team:

Ken Mink may be the first guy who can qualify for a senior discount during his senior season.

Mink, 73, is a 6-foot, 190-pound newcomer to the Roane State (Tenn.) junior college basketball team about 35 miles west of Knoxville.

He’s likely the oldest person to ever play college hoops. To put Mink in perspective, Utah State’s Gary Wilkinson will be among the oldest Division I players this season; he just turned 26.

I think it’s great, no matter what the debaters about it say. It also says a lot about the Roane State staff and team.

Post from: Blisstree

73 year old college basketball player

She returned to the practice of law after a hiatus of working at home and pursuing some creative endeavors. Though she ultimately decided that this type of work was not for her and her family, she graciously shares what she learned along the way

The one that spoke to me the most was about trusting instincts before taking on a new job or career.

Not too long before I had my third child, I found myself in need of a job. There wasn’t much out there, so I decided to interview for a job in an area I had worked before, but didn’t really enjoy.

My reasoning was that I could at least get my resume inside the company. The interview went well, and I was offered the job and I politely turned them down.

They called back and offered again, and I turned it down a second time.

The third time they called, I accepted since I still needed a job and well, I’m not sure what I was thinking, but I had a bad feeling about it.

As you can imagine, it was miserable and it got worse after the baby was born. The job was stressful, I was away from my family for long hours and it looked like there wasn’t a way out.

Long story, but I got a new job for much less money and that was not a good scenario after adding a new family member, but somewhere along the line was when I realized that there was much more to it than the money.

Post from: Blisstree

Corporate life and parenting