Taking Care of Your Kids and Your Parents

June 28, 2007 | By Marie In Family |

It’s unavoidable. At some point in our life you will be faced with the reality that your aaging parents will need care. It can be challenging if you are the only child and you have a family of your own to deal with. Caring for your kids while caring for your parent can be extremely daunting. Below are some tips you can follow to make dealing with care giving easier:

Here’s the deal - don’t stress over it and don’t panic. If you have space in your home, why not let your parent stay with you. If they are not seriously ill, but just aged, it could be to your advantage to have them with you. Hey, they can probably even baby-sit for you. It’s a win-win. Of course you will have to have a family meeting and let your husband and kids know and plan as a family. Make sure everyone is OK with the new living situation. Make sure you give everyone a chance to voice the opinion.Remember, the family will have to give up a part of their comfort zone.

If your aged parent is not willing to move from their home or apartment, to move in with you and your family, make sure to have a plan b. You may have to arrange for social services or meals-on-wheels to ensure that your parent is well cared for. If your kids are teenagers, perhaps you can ask them to make frequent trips to their grandparent’s home to check-up on them and make sure they are safe, eating well and taking all their necessary medications.

In certain cultures, parents live with their kids until they pass. Sadly in America, there is a tendency to send older parents to nursing homes. It is a difficult decision to make but those of you who do accept responsibility for your parents will never regret it. It can be your way of paying back, since they took care of you when you were young.

It is doable. You can care for your kids while you care for your parent at the same time. It does require preparation, open communication and serious planning. If you have other siblings, get their help - you will need it too. Whatever the situation, be assured that there are numerous ways available to you in landing the proper resources to care for your parents, irregardless of what physical condition they are in.

1 Comment so far

Telling It Like It Is (1 comments.) on September 17th, 2007

I guess each person’s situation is different, and must be decided on based on what is best for all involved. After having my father in-law live with us two separate times, it became unbearable for many reasons. Now he’s living in an Independent Living apartment of his own just a hop, skip and jump from our house. I appreciated your article, and I wrote an article about our experience with my FIL on my site as well. Good job on your post!