DeepSummary
The podcast episode discusses the challenges faced by the 'sandwich generation' - those caring for both their children and aging parents, especially when dealing with ADHD across multiple generations. Dana McDonald, a marriage and family therapist, shares strategies and tools to manage these challenges, including practicing self-compassion, setting boundaries, seeking support, and using validation techniques.
McDonald emphasizes the importance of self-care and not overextending oneself. She suggests finding ways to say 'no' and scheduling self-care activities. She also recommends using visual reminders and experimenting to find what works for each family. Additionally, McDonald discusses the role of validation in managing emotions and provides a step-by-step process for validating others.
The episode covers the generational differences in approaching mental health, work-life balance, and communication styles. McDonald shares her personal experience of realizing she was part of the 'sandwich generation' and how understanding ADHD transformed her relationships with her children and parents. Overall, the episode aims to provide practical advice and validation for caregivers juggling multiple responsibilities across generations.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Practice self-compassion and challenge negative self-talk to manage the emotional strain of caregiving.
- Set boundaries and learn to say 'no' to avoid overextending yourself.
- Seek support from communities or groups that understand the challenges of the 'sandwich generation'.
- Use validation techniques to manage emotions and regulate emotional dysregulation in children and parents with ADHD.
- Recognize and accept generational differences in approaching mental health, work-life balance, and communication styles.
- Understand that strategies and needs will change as family dynamics and roles evolve over time.
- Be flexible and experiment to find what works best for your unique family situation.
- Educate and share resources with parents and grandparents about ADHD, while respecting their boundaries and readiness.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “I hope that it does lessen some of the isolation that I really got a sense that people are feeling because that is one of the hardest parts for us, right? It's just feeling that we're alone in the struggle.“ by Dana McDonald
- “I really encourage you to cultivate that and find the people who can kind of walk with you and share some of those struggles, right? That common humanity.“ by Dana McDonald
- “If we have a parent who has diagnosed or suspected ADHD, they might not have modeled boundaries super well, either for the same reasons. Right? Maybe that's out of necessity, or maybe they just didn't know they were doing the best that they could trying to keep people happy.“ by Dana McDonald
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Episode Information
ADHD Experts Podcast
ADDitude
2/20/24
Caregivers in the "sandwich generation" face added demands and stress when managing ADHD in themselves, their children, and their aging parents. Danna McDonald, RMFT-SQ, RSW, shares strategies to address these challenges.
Sandwich Generation Stress: More Resources
- Symptom Test: 10 Questions to Reveal Parental Burnout
- Read: Never Good Enough: The Emotional Toll of Motherhood
- Understand: The Genetic Underpinnings of ADHD
- Understand: Epigenetics and ADHD: The Impacts of Environment, Lifestyle, and Stress
- Blog Post: “Let Me Tell You How ADHD Runs in My Family”
Access the video and slides for podcast episode #490 here: https://www.additudemag.com/webinar/sandwich-generation-stress-how-to-manage-adhd/
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