Challenges of the Sandwich (Pav Bhaji) Generation

Namaste everyone, I'm Amita and I welcome you to the HSCI Wellness Program for individuals of the sandwich generation, those raising their children while also caring for their aging parents. And for families of South Asian roots, we can also refer to this as the Pav Bhaji generation.

So please understand that this is not therapy and I'm not a therapist or psychologist, I am a coach and a guide. My approach and expertise combines research-based best practices, my own experiences living through these challenges and years of supporting other families.

Our session will begin with a brief check-in to see how you're doing and a self-assessment to identify where your stress is showing up on a daily basis. Then we'll go ahead and explore some self-care strategies and choose one small step that you can realistically practice every single day.

Next, we'll take an honest look at what's happening with your children, your parents, and yourself. And we'll talk openly about the difficult emotions that sometimes come up when we talk about this role. It can be guilt, shame, duty, that desire for independence. We'll identify role strain and burnout because you cannot address what you do not recognize.

And together, we're going to look at your needs alongside those of your parents and your children and identify what to prioritize and discuss where adjustments may need to be made. And I'll conclude with a value-based framework to help you make decisions with a lot more confidence along with practical tools and resources designed for the challenges that you face.

I would like to conclude by emphasizing that follow-through will be entirely yours. I cannot guarantee success or positive outcomes, but what I can offer is a clearer understanding of your situation and a practical plan you can use when you need it. Thank you very much.