The joys of being in the 'sandwich' generation.

Sandwich generation: the group of people who are caring for aging parents and their own children.

That totally fits us, and today, I don't feel like a nice sandwich, but more of a nasty sandwich. Maybe that ham and cheese loaf stuff?

I went to bed at normal time. Yeah for me! Awoken at midnight by a scared child - not a problem.  Help her out, get her back to sleep drift off to sleep again.  I wasn't awake long enough for it to impact my sleep cycle - whohooo.

3 am. light on in the living room, which I wouldnt have noticed if Jimmy had not gotten up to go to the restroom and woke me up b/c the light was on. I sleep through that kind of stuff.  Unless one of the dogs or kids wake me up, I have trained myself to let Jimmy handle the other things - noises lights etc.  ha So I get up.  Mom is in the living room, completely dressed to go to clubhouse, down to her jacket, watching TV.

Ok - good news - she was completely dressed in clean clothes and ready for clubhouse, without assistance.   Bad news, its 3 am.

Have you ever tried to explain the concept of 3 am to some one who doesnt get the concept of time?  Most parents have - because kids don't get it.  However, kids can be taught.  Eventually, they understand.  Have you ever tried to explain the concept of time to some one who will NEVER get it.  Its beyond frustrating!

So, since it took me awhile to convince her that it was middle of the night and she needed to be in bed - I was now fully awake. Great.  I took the opportunity to spend the next hour praying, and finally my heavenly daddy helped me drift back off to sleep.

Dealing with someone with dementia, is a lot like parenting a 3 or 4 year old.  they know just enough to be contrary, but you cant reason with them. The difference - the big difference - is you can train a child, but you cant train someone who cant remember.  Its very frustrating.

I don't mind being a sandwich, but I sure would like to be a yummy sandwich. Not a couple of pieces of soggy white bread with ham and cheese loaf.   Its harder to be a sandwich when you don't get enough sleep.