Roll with It: Managing Stress and Finding Your Identity in Multigenerational Households

10/02/19 • 27 min

Multigenerational households are making a comeback! According to researchers, 1 in 5 Americans now lives with three or more generations under the same roof - the highest level since 1950. But for all its potential perks - such as cost savings, familial bonding, and built-in child care - if you’re among those individuals “sandwiched” between both your children and parents who need care, you know that managing the responsibilities of mid-adulthood is no easy feat.
In this episode, host Stefanie Boucher speaks with author, disability advocate, and writer Jamie Sumner about her new middle-grade novel Roll with It and the questions that frequently come up for the “Sandwich Generation” and their children. "Should my children be included in the care of their grandparent(s)? How can they help?" "How can I effectively support my child with a disability and my Mom’s or Dad’s growing needs?" And, "How do I manage my stress and live my best life?" Additionally, you’ll hear Jamie’s thoughts on teaching kids resilience and what to say to a child who doesn’t feel like s/he “fits in.”
About Our Guest:
Jamie Sumner is the author of several books, including the recently released middle-grade novel, Roll with It, and the non-fiction book, Unbound: Finding Freedom from Unrealistic Expectations of Motherhood. Her second and third middle-grade novels will be coming out in 2020 and 2021. She is also the author of the forthcoming book, Keep On, Superhero, for parents of children with special needs. She has written for The New York Times and The Washington Post, and she is the reviews editor at Literary Mama.
Jamie is also a mom to a son with cerebral palsy, and she writes and speaks about disability in literature. She loves stories that celebrate the grit and beauty in all kids. Learn more about Jamie, Roll with It, and her other books at https://jamie-sumner.com.

Previous Episode

Is your child ready for social media?

Is your child begging for his or her first social media account? Has your son or daughter recently signed up for Instagram, SnapChat, TikTok or Facebook? If so, you may have a myriad of questions. What is the “right” age to allow my child to be on social media? How do I know if s/he is ready? Have I fully prepared him to be a good digital citizen? How do I keep her safe? And, of course, what should I do if I regret my decision?
Tune in and listen as Exceptional Parenting Podcast host, Stefanie Boucher, discusses how she is addressing these pressing questions within her family. In this episode she’ll discuss the pros and cons of children participating in social media, provide honest questions that parents can ask themselves to help determine readiness, and suggest simple strategies for coaching our children as they step into the world of social media.
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Stefanie Boucher is Torchlight’s Senior Content Developer and host of the Exceptional Parenting Podcast. A writer, editor, and journalist, she has spent nearly two decades producing multi-media content for children, parents, students and teachers while simultaneously raising her own tech-savvy kids in the midst of a changing media landscape. In her current role at Torchlight, she offers families practical strategies for modern parenting, including how to balance health and well-being with the allure and necessity of modern technology and life.

Next Episode

Addressing Challenging Behaviors in Kids with ASD

Challenging behaviors are frequently among the most stressful concerns for parents raising children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In this episode, host Stefanie Boucher speaks with occupational therapist and autism expert, Mary Beth Kadlec, about the underlying causes of behavior challenges and the ways in which parents and caregivers can foster increased emotional regulation.
Tune in to find out why many parents miscalculate their child’s developmental level and how this can impact behavior; how to adjust your communication strategies to better match your child; how to work with your child’s school to improve behavior both at home and within the school environment; and, why adaptive physical education is critical for kids with ASD and how the school can foster more positive gym experiences for all kids.
About Our Guest:
Mary Beth Kadlec is an occupational therapist and the Program Director at the Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders (CANDO) at the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, which provides cutting edge services to children with autism and their families. She has 36 years of occupational therapy experience, and she has devoted her career to helping caregivers and providers develop more effective ways to support children at home, in school, and in the community.
To learn more about Mary Beth or CANDO, visit the CANDO website: https://www.umassmed.edu/psychiatry/clinicalservices/child-adolescent-clinical-services/cando