Caregivers in Allen, TX – Grandchildren and Grandparents Alike Can Benefit from Time Spent Together
Family caregivers are often caught in the middle – raising children while caring for parents. In many cases, these caregivers take on the role of caregiver for their parents without thinking about how this change will affect their own children. Children are often affected by this decision in good and bad ways. In fact, it is estimated that more than one million children are involved in caregiving tasks, with many spending at least two hours a day. While it’s good for kids to be involved in the caregiving process in some aspect, they sometimes have to make sacrifices in order to help care for their grandparents and this can lead to resentment. Learn more about balancing your child’s caregiving duties with childhood activities.
The Effects
Some children are happy to help and enjoy caring for grandparents. They feel more of a familial connection with loved ones. They learn to make sacrifices and instill pride in what they do. Caregiving can help build a child’s character and morality.
However, not all children are thrilled to be helping with caregiving duties. Older children – specifically teens – may feel resentful when they are forced to care for a grandparent rather than hang out with friends or attend sports activities. Younger children may feel as though they are missing out on their childhood when they spend time every day helping their parents with caregiving tasks. Caregiving becomes a burden and when their parents spend more time caring for a parent than the children, the kids can become resentful and even abandoned. This is especially true when parents start missing out on their children’s extracurricular activities.
What To Do
The key is to find balance. A child’s schoolwork or friendships should not suffer due to caregiving. Instead, give children just one task to do. Even providing company can be helpful. Just make sure the task is age-appropriate. When children don’t feel like helping out, don’t make them feel guilty about it. In the end, it’s not their responsibility to care for their grandparent, no matter how much you may want them to help. Finally, remember that the best gift you can give your children is your time. While caring for an aging parent can be a 24/7, don’t feel like you have to be there constantly. Get help from an in home care provider so you can watch your child’s sports activities or school plays. Childhood goes by so fast- don’t let it slip away.