The Highs and Lows of a Baby Boomer Woman

Although this is the time when baby boomer women should be embracing the second half of their journey, it appears that many of us are finding ourselves struggling with the highs and lows of living.

According to the latest findings of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, the average family caregiver is a woman in her late 40s who still has at least one child at home and works outside the home while providing an average of 20 hours a week of hands-on care for a loved one.

These women are reporting increases in sadness, stress, worry and lost sleep.

And if that isn't enough to depress you---the data also indicates nearly 70 percent of Baby Boomers are providing some financial support to their adult children and grandchildren. They are picking up the pieces as their sons and daughters lose jobs and bail out of over-mortgaged homes. Layer on top of that the cost of long-term health care for their parents, who are living into their 80s and 90s with multiple chronic illnesses.

I am no psychologist but the one thing I do understand at midlife is the following:

1) I can't be all things to all people

2) I am not Bank of America

3) Grown Children don't need hand-outs if they're making NO effort on their own

3) I am no longer going to bite off more than I can chew

4) I must take time for ME

So what advice do you have for someone who is facing similar challenges?