As the lazy, hazy days of August roll in, “staycations” have replaced travel to exotic destinations and the talk around the pool often focuses on economic stress.  Today’s baby boomers may find themselves giving financial assistance to their young adult children rather than their aging parent and postponing indefinitely their own plans.  Retirees on fixed incomes may be living in homes they cannot sell, or being asked to care for grandchildren while both parents work.  As layoffs and mergers impact the lives of many in suburbia, anxiety, depression, and strained marriages can be the result.  However, the flip side of this trend towards downward mobility may just be the opportunity to re-think life style choices about time and money.  As eating in and watching a video together replaces Saturday night out, families may re-discover sharing experiences and establishing connections that have been put on hold.

At Scarsdale Edgemont Family Counseling Service, this fall we are planning a support group for grandparents who now find themselves caretaking for grandchildren or lending support to adult children.  If you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed by these situations, or just want to share experiences and gather ideas, please call SFCS at 914 – 723-3281 or e-mail us at www.sfcsinc.org. All groups are offered in a private and confidential setting and fees are on a sliding scale.  Please let us hear from you.

It starts with an open door