“We've all heard about the ‘mid-life crisis,’” writes Holly Garcia. “You know, the moment that propels someone to hop in the driver’s seat and take control of their life…. Maybe those decisions are good, maybe they’re bad, but they’re loud and they’re deliberate.”

But it’s just not happening to folks in the sandwich generation – ie the ones caring for aging parents and young kids. Their crisis looks a bit different: “It’s easy and exciting to think that the older we get, the fewer worries we have, except that isn’t necessarily true,” she writes. “Instead of the sports car, there’s a whole generation of us out there who are stuck in between.” Let’s talk about it.

— Kelly Faircloth, Executive Editor

“You've nurtured them and watched them grow from before they were born, and now your baby is a full-blown adult. It's a bittersweet adjustment for any parent, especially since you likely still want to protect them from any hardship they might face once they're out in the world on their own,” writes Arielle Tschinkel. “And while you never want to see your child struggle, you might be wondering if the soft landing you've provided your grad will help or harm them in the long run.” Here’s what you need to know.