Glad I Don't Have Kids. So Many Parents/Grandparents Have Tp Help Their Offspring.

[TheMastersNemesis]

There are so many parents and grandparents who have to support their children in this false economy. Of course that is something that a parent needs to do. However, they should not have to use their needed resources for such a thing. We are no longer in an economy where your offspring can make it on their own. Many kids do make it but so many more don't make it or are struggling.

The GOP has made sure that we are where we are and are about to make it impossible for the younger generation to succeed. Unemployment is low, but it is not because there are enough jobs to go around. I see so many seniors in all of our retail and restaurant establishments now. Too many seniors are having to work sick or disabled.

There won't be retirement at any age if the GOP is allowed to continue its sabotage. We will look more like Africa than we to the US unless the economy changes in certain structural ways. In part the shortage of workers has more to do with workers can't afford the pay for the jobs offered.

[FBaggins]

1. You left off the other side

Many kids or grandkids end up taking care of their parents and grandparents. Your dog isn’t going to do that for you

[TheMastersNemesis]

5. Yes You Are Correct. Many Boomers Are Having To Use Their Families Resources.

I know of many cases where the children are burdened. In fact I play golf with a couple who is now having to deal with sick elderly parents and being force to put off their own plans. We took care of my wife mother for 8 months 24/7 until she died at 104 1/2. That was ten years ago now. It was a real tough time.

[Fullduplexxx]

2. The gop didnt do this to us .. we let it happen

[CentralMass]

7. The GOP has pursued a "Starve The Beast" fiscal policy with a plundering of the coffers.

If our elected officials do not drastically reverse course and vote to invest in the people of this country we will continue to spiral downwards

[jberryhill]

3. "We will look more like Africa"

Could you perhaps elaborate on what that characterization of a huge and diverse continent is intended to mean?

[greymattermom]

4. I'm so glad I do have kids.

They are all doing well, and I get to see my grandkids in the Aftab baseball commercial. We always lived a little below our means and saved as much as we could, so I can help them if they need it. My daughters cook all their meals from whole ingredients, and they take public transportation to work. Their companies reimburse their transit costs, and they live near bus and train lines. My middle daughter and her husband share a car. No one in my family smokes. I know we have all done well, but we are also careful.

[TheMastersNemesis]

6. You Are One Of The Fortunate Ones. That Is OK Too.

[Freddie]

8. I am retiring in 6 months

To be a nanny for my unborn grandchild & the other 2 (both in school). My boss does not know this and she has already begged me not to retire, since she knows I’m 62 and eligible for full pension. I am incredibly fortunate to have this as I work for a PA school district.
I’m looking forward to it but I’m scared. I was never a SAHM with my kids and now I can do this with my grandkids, with the added bonus of not having to deal with 2 am feedings, etc - 5 pm I hand baby to Mom or Dad and I’m gone. (I have already laid down the law that one of them will be home by 5:30 at the latest or the nanny quits). I’m in good health. I live 5 min. away. I will do their laundry but no other housework. With DH’s pay and my pension we will be bringing home almost as much as we do now, although both of us on my health ins costs me $160/mo and to go on his will cost $900/mo. Still cheaper than COBRA.
I hope to put off collecting SS til I’m full age but it’s there if we really need it. We have no debt except the mortgage.
I’m mainly scared for my mental health. Will my brain turn to mush? Will I regret not using the knowledge I have in my field (I’m a payroll and benefits coord.)? I’ve never been dependent on DH for insurance (or anything financial) before, will it change our marriage? And my worst fear is that I will be like my mom when she retired from teaching - she went into a depression so severe she had to be hospitalized 2x and it took her years to find a med that worked for her. I really don’t think this will happen to me as I have a very different mental outlook than Mom had, but you never know if DNA will win. All of our parents are gone now so I don’t have the added worry of elder care.
I did promise my boss that if I retired (it was theoretical at the time) I would leave detailed instructions about my job, so I better start doing that.

[Lars39]

9. There needs to be a backup plan for illness.

Yours, the baby’s (dr. visits), and worse case scenarios if everybody gets sick pretty much at once.
The parents will still need to to preserve PTO and vacation days for times you can’t be there, such as for your own dr, dentist,eye appts, or your own vacation or respite care. You’ll have to decide also if you’re going to work on the weekends if they want to go have fun.
It’s way too easy for caregivers to get run down, so take care and exercise.

[Freddie]

12. I have thought of these things

Someone will have to take off if I’m sick or have a medical appt. And the backup plan if my health can’t handle it, the baby goes to daycare like the older 2 did. Although neither of them went as infants; daughter worked PT nights when #1 was a baby, and son-in-law was a SAHD for a while. Daughter is a nurse and makes a lot more than him, plus being a nurse she knows that babies in daycare get sick all the time. Hence the Grandma plan.

[Lars39]

13. Good!

Sounds like a plan!

A good schedule, a stroller and a grocery store that delivers will help tremendously, also.

You'll have so much fun.

[MichMary]

10. Success

will always be attainable.

[NCTraveler]

11. Far to general of assumptions you are making.

Every 20 - 30 year old in my family is not only self sufficient, they are thriving.

It is not as black and white as you make it out to be, though a lot of it has to do with black and white. Systemic oppression. Large disparities of wealth does not mean all of those who are younger are doing bad. My family has zero(One cousin is struggling) issue getting their kids to college and then off to excellent careers. Two of my cousins, under thirty, are millionaires. They were afforded things that are only afforded to those who are already on top. That is the aspect that is getting worse.

[treestar]

14. It is only the most recent generations and this culture

that sees any problem with generations living together. Grandma and Grandpa Walton are a symbol.

[nolabear]

15. I am absolutely delighted to help my kids.

There’s a difference, of course, between helping someone fail and helping them succeed, but I think of families as extended and interconnected, us helping them and them helping us. This whole “lone individual who needs no one” thing is a terrible concept. I know some families don’t, and shouldn’t, rely on one another because of unhealthy dynamics, but I think being within the crucible of a bunch of people who are committed to one another is a wonderful thing.