5 Ways to Cope with Raising Kids and Caring for Elderly Parents
Raising a family is no mean feat, and neither is caring for your parents in their old age. However, simultaneously taking on both responsibilities can turn even the most multi-tasking individual into a stressed-out mess. That said, multigenerational homes don’t have to be this hard!
5 Ways to Cope with Raising Kids and Caring for Elderly Parents
You can take steps to make bringing up your children and looking after your elderly parents more manageable. Read to discover five ways to cope with raising kids and caring for elderly parents.
1. Let go of any guilt
You are not a superwoman or man; you are just another human trying to do your best, and the sooner you realize this, the better. Whether you feel guilty because you don’t visit your elderly parents enough or worry about not putting your children first when you are with your parents, letting go of any guilt you feel will result in an enormous burden being lifted from your shoulders.
Instead, accept your limitations and strive to be the best person you can be each day.
2. Ask for help
Again, you cannot be expected to do everything on your own. Taking care of your children and your parents is a huge ask for anyone, so you must ensure you get the help and support you need.
This may involve asking another relative for help when you need it or something more permanent such as looking for signature nursing homes. Whatever it is, make sure you don’t let asking for help make you feel like a failure. Opting for the latter option could enable you to develop even better relationships with your parents and children, as you can enjoy the time you spend with them without worrying about caring for them 24/7.
3. Say no occasionally
There is nothing wrong with emergencies aside from saying no occasionally, both to your children and your parents. This is particularly important if you are the type of person who always puts other people’s needs before your own. Although you may initially feel guilty, you will realize that saying no occasionally allows you to be a better parent to your children and a better carer to your parents.
4. Make plans as a family
If you have to care for your elderly parents frequently, you may want to think about including your children in this process. No matter how old they are, children can benefit from intergenerational learning, and there is no better place for them to discover this than with their own families.
Whether this involves something as simple as bringing their Grandpa a glass of water or spending some time reading to them in the backyard, making your children part of caring for your elderly parents can make them more understanding of the pressure you are under.
5. Make time for me-time
As a parent and a carer, you must schedule some respite into your calendar. Although this may seem impossible, you will soon start to suffer physically, mentally, and emotionally without it.
As mentioned above, don’t be afraid to ask another family member or friend to help you occasionally, even if it is only for an hour a few times a week. Remember, it is not the amount of me-time you have that makes the difference but its consistency.
