Erin, a middle-aged wife and mother, is experiencing tension as she cares for her mother, who had a stroke and moved into her home, while also tending to the needs of her adolescent children. This situation characterizes the challenges of the "sandwich generation."
Erin's situation, where she is sandwiched between the responsibilities of caring for her mother and attending to the needs of her adolescent children, reflects the concept known as the "sandwich generation." The sandwich generation refers to individuals, often middle-aged adults, who find themselves simultaneously caring for aging parents and supporting their own children. This dual caregiving role can lead to emotional and logistical challenges, creating tension and stress as they navigate the demands of both generations. Erin's experience of feeling tension from both her mother and her children is a common characteristic of individuals in the sandwich generation, highlighting the complex caregiving responsibilities they face.