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Are you a part of the SQUEEZE Generation!!!

By
Real Estate Agent with The Bean Group

Baby Boomers like me have pretty much had it all when it comes to life, since there are over 88 millionof us. We have pretty much dictated everything from politics, fashion, to life style since the mid 1970's and as a generation we are growing even stronger as we get older. Retirement homes are now becoming upscale resort places for us to retire and pretty much get what ever we want.

So, as a baby boomer what do we have to complain about? It would seem pretty obvious that we should be relishing our status in society. There is unfortunately an almost unspoken aspect for our generation  to have to deal with and that is, we are the Squeeze Generation.

What is this phenomena I am speaking about, if your over 45 most likely you and your spouse/ partner ( I hate the term significant other) have your parents still living. This can mean 4 people over the age of 75 and as they are getting older they are starting to rely on you and your spouse/partner. In my case my mother (76) moved in with my wife and me 4 years ago, since she was lonely and my Dad had passed some 13 years before. Now by the grace of God, this move in happened at that time, because within 6 months of her move in she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Now I am not complaining, but here is where the Squeeze part comes in, my wife and I have 3 kids ages 14,12 and 8, talk about a full schedule.

On top of this, my wife's parents are both still alive and her Dad has advanced Emphysema! My wife does her part traveling to visit her parents and do what she can for her parents, and we have to juggle all of the responsibilities we have between the two of us. In fact, today I just returned from spending 2 hours with my Mom while she had her eyes scanned and tested for cataract surgeryshe will be having in January. We have to attend school meetings, IEP meetings, school concerts, attend to home work, take Mom/ Dad to the doctor (her side), take my Mom to all her appointments. With all this, we are suppose to work and make a living for our family to live.

I think you now understand why I titled this post the way I did, I certainly feel squeezed how about you!!!

Scott Geary
Infinity Home Mortgage Company Inc - Allentown, PA
Your Pennsylvania Mortgage Source

Yes I am! My kids are in they're mid 20's, so I don't have much in the line of running around for them. Our parents are 70+ and still working (banking and photography) but we still do quite a bit for them around the houses. We're lucky. I can definitely see where your plate is full! Good title! Made me think of 'Pulling Muscles From a Shell'.... By the Squeeze!

Dec 04, 2008 05:03 AM
Monika McGillicuddy
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty - Hampstead, NH
Southern NH & the Seacoast Area

My kids are grown and my parents are still independent and healthy at 82...even so I do feel squeezed many times. Not an easy thing!

Dec 04, 2008 11:10 AM