If You’re Doing It All, You’re Doing Too Much

The other week, I hit a wall. Not a dramatic, tear-streaked meltdown kind of wall, more like a quietly simmering frustration that seeps out in sighs and snappy replies kind of wall.

My husband, Bryan was traveling (again).I was juggling three kids, building my business, managing my mom’s appointments, trying to keep up with school emails, dinner plans, and oh—apparently, my dog needs a dental cleaning too.

My plate was officially full.Actually, it wasn’t a plate anymore. It was a Thanksgiving buffet platter, and someone kept coming around asking if I wanted to “add just one more little thing.”

And I did what most of us do in the sandwich generation, I smiled, nodded, and thought, “Sure, I can handle it.”

Until one day, my friend looked at me and said,

“Barb. No one knows you need help unless you ask for it.”

Oof. The reality sucker punch I didnt know that I needed.

She was right. I’d been silently stewing, waiting for someone to notice I was overwhelmed as if my family would suddenly develop psychic abilities and swoop in with a spreadsheet of solutions.

Here’s the thing: when your plate is full, you can’t just keep balancing it higher. Something’s going to slide off, and spoiler alert, it’s usually you.

So I did the unthinkable.I asked for help.

I said to my Bryan, “Hey, I need you to take something off my plate this week.”I called a friend and said, “Can you pick up Mom’s prescription while you’re at the pharmacy?”And you know what happened? They did. No one rolled their eyes. No one said I was failing.The world didn’t fall apart.

It turns out, people actually want to help us. They just don’t know we need it unless we say something.

We, the queens of “I’ve got it,” need to learn the royal art of delegation.

Because this stage of life? It’s not a sprint. It’s an endurance event, juggling kids, careers, and caregiving while trying to stay somewhat sane.

So here’s your midweek reminder from someone standing right next to you in the chaos:

If your plate’s overflowing, stop trying to rearrange the mashed potatoes. Ask for help.Hand off a few sides.You’re not dropping the ball, you’re giving someone else the chance to carry it for a bit.

And that, my friends, is how we survive the sandwich generation. Not by doing it all, but by admitting that we can’t.

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

Caring for aging parents while holding up the rest of your life can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to carry it all by yourself.

I’m here to walk alongside you. Whether you’re just beginning to notice changes or you’re already in the thick of hard decisions, there’s support for every stage of the journey.

Here’s how I can help:

✨ 1-on-1 Guidance Sessions + Care ChatsAt TheSandwichedGen.com, we’ll talk it through, create a clear plan, and take weight off your shoulders.

📘 My eBook: When Roles ReverseYour step-by-step roadmap for caring for aging parents with less stress and more confidence. Inside, you’ll learn how to:

• Recognize when and how to step in

• Start the tough conversations (without constant conflict)

• Balance independence with safety

• Avoid the chaos of last-minute decisions

👉 Grab your copy here.

📲 Follow along on Instagram @BarbaraStratteI share daily encouragement, practical tools, and the kind of real-life truths you won’t find in a medical pamphlet.

Big Hugs and the world is better because you are in it!

With grace, grit, and a big hug,

Barbara

#SandwichedGeneration #DementiaSupport #CaringForParents #AgingWell #WhenRolesReverse #MemoryMatters

💛