An interesting thing happens when a single family household makes room for Grandma and Grandpa…everybody feels more loved and valued. Starting at the top of the generational pyramid, combining households allows the senior generation to:
- Give their time to childcare/car pool/housekeeping duties
- Contribute financially to the whole family’s welfare
- Live in a mentally stimulating, vibrant environment.
For the second, or “Sandwich Generation”— those who care for both their parents and children— the creation of a three generation household can significantly ease the press of day to day logistics. In 60% of US households, (April 2015 statistics),
Multi-Generational Family Households
both parents working equates to “no time left over” for anything else…In single parent households, 90% of the adults work full time away from home, so the time press is even greater. When Grandparents can assume some of the chauffeuring for kids’ activities, grocery shopping, even waiting for deliveries and home maintenance visits, it reduces stress on the working adults in the family. Dependable after school care and oversight as the kids get older lifts a major financial burden from the parents as well. Even if the older family members don’t drive and are in need of assistance with their health and personal care routines, the family receives a significant gift of time and ease of mind to care for their parents in their own home.
But the most significant beneficiaries of grandma and grandpa just down the hallway come to the third generation. Katie and Anna Myhr, whose grandmother lived with them for more than 15 years, say they “loved being with their Grandmother” every day after school, and like many other kids whose nurturing grandparents were woven into their lives, felt like they were more loved and cherished than other kids. Anna notes that it didn’t seem unusual for their grandmother to be woven into their lives, “it was just the way our family was.” Katie describes it as “comforting” when they were little and their grandmother made their after-school hot chocolate and snacks, but on the other end of the spectrum, “comforting” to be able to schedule her personal care assistance into their daily lives when she needed their help.
There are many advantages to the multi-generational household.
Sandy Myhr, whose mother Thelma Feehan lived with her and husband Bill for nearly two decades feels like there were so many advantages to the multi-generational lifestyle. “At one point Bill and I each had a parent in our household. I think it was clear that it gave our parents a real sense of purpose to be helping us with the over-all household management, but it also gave structure to their daily lives, and made them feel wanted. When we combined resources from the sale of both of our homes, we could buy a well-designed house in Fountain Hills that gave us both space and privacy. “It wasn’t a ‘Grandma lives with us’ situation; both of us were owners of a single home. And although it is not always easy when two adult women want to manage a single household ‘their way’, the plusses far outweighed the minuses. We never had to have the heart-wrenching “you just can’t live on your own” crisis because multi-generational living situations tend to transition into new form as the need arises.”
The numbers of two, three and even four generations sharing a home has nearly tripled in the US since the dawning of the new Millennium. While financial considerations may play a large part, new patterns of family life seem to be emerging, with each generation contributing to enrich the fabric of the family unit.
At Sonoran Lifestyle Real Estate, we enjoy helping Multi-Gen Families find their happy place. Contact us to see a variety of custom homes offering nurturing environments, beautiful views and fun outdoor spaces.
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Leading ladies is produced by Patty Torrilhon and directed by Petey Swartz. It stars; Terry Gadaire, Donna Georgette, Alexia Lorch, Dan Marburger, Morgan Ottersbach, Karl Roger Perry, Darryl Poenisch and Roger Prenger. Produced through special arrangement with Samuel French.
ain Hills’ Fountain Park. Relax on the grass at the Amphitheater as the day unfolds with Irish music, contests, games for the kids, and—of course—great food and beer.
the weekend of March 17th-19th. There will be 100 arts and crafts exhibitors, holiday themed vendors, live music, and dance performance are planned.
ch the colorful kites take to air during the 15th Annual Kite Flying Festival “Basant Mela”. This exciting event is presented by the Pakistan Information and Cultural Organization, and it is a celebration to celebrate the arrival of spring. Kite flying is a cultural tradition that is common in India and Pakistan.
experience. In addition, there will be live music, various ethnic foods, henna tattoos, and the star of the festival “hundreds of flying kites.”
Specialized Bikes is the named sponsor of this event, which started in 1991. Fountain Hills McDowell Mountain Cycles is the Main Stage sponsor for the after-race party, featuring the band, “Elvis Before Noon.”
nce. The Home Delivered Meals Program helps individuals recovering from surgeries or hospital stays.
are delivered by volunteers in which they provide a wellness check on the individual, and sometimes the volunteers are the only social contact that these individuals have on a daily basis. If individuals don’t answer the door or not able to be reached by the phone, or their emergency contact is not accessible, the Home Delivered Meals volunteers often alert staff about individuals needs and will contact the Sheriff’s Office to perform a check on the individuals’ well-being.
dmade candies, chocolates, honey, salts, pasta and seasoning mixes. The Food Courts at each end of the shows feature walking munchies, snacks and full meals. Many of the most favorite food venues are seasonal fundraisers for local service clubs. There is a wide variant of musical talent, performing and selling CD’s to more than 200,000 people who attend this annual event.
at both ends of the festival area. Drop in and see us at Sonoran Lifestyle Real Estate on the Avenue of the Fountains…we love to see the wonderful treasures you’ve found…
he Valley of the Sun. Fifteen Major league teams, perfect weather, and the ultimate fan experience —
The.Sonoran.Life.Style 