GenBetween

The greatest generation

by Elizabeth on November 25th, 2006

Another twist on the “triple decker sandwich” is the family with 3 (or more) living adult generations.

With people waiting longer to get married and have children, I imagine the family with great-grandparents, grandparents, parents, and children will become even more rare. While it’s not something I’ve experienced in my own family, my husband’s family, until a few years ago, had 5 generations of daughters living.  It always made for a good photo op for the local newspapers.

While the family history in such a situation is invaluable, the part of me that hones in on this type of stuff (Pessimist? Perhaps. I prefer to think of it as the realist in me ;) ) sees the daughter or son 3 generations into it, and, wonders what life will be like for them if the perfect storm of issues arises and great-grandmother, grandmother, child, spouse and grand children all need care.

But, on a brighter note, the last line in this story makes it all worthwhile.

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POSTED IN: Aging, Children, Children and Elders, Media