Between a rock and a hard place

I read somewhere that baby boomers are the first generation to have to care (full time, part time or casual) for both grandchildren and their parents. It does seem true for many of my generation.
And for many there is probably still the need to work full time for financial or intellectual reasons - or both.

What are the consequences of this demand on an individual's time (and sanity)?

For me it's exhaustion,  tinged with melancholy, marinated in frustration - and coated in guilt (for not spending enough quality time and effort with anyone). Yet at the same time very pleased to have the joy of regularly bringing everyone together and my parents still being around to enjoy the love and laughter of family get togethers with their great-grandchildren.

My own grandmothers (and one grandmother-in-law) both held my first born 35 years ago and lived for some years afterwards.  There were no great-grandfathers still with us at the time.

It is possible to be helpful to both your parents, children and grandchildren and still find time for me. Magazines, papers, the internet and advertising are full of ideas about how to have a full and meaningful life. Keep slim, fit, and healthy.  Eat this, don't eat that.
Perhaps it's not about me, perhaps it's about family.  Is it about generations passing on what they know and hoping that their descendants don't make too of the same many mistakes? 
As I write Louie Armstrong is playing - "And I think to myself, what a wonderful world".

Nana Lizzie
www.worldsbestgrandmother.com.au