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Being a parent is just as demanding as any full-time job. From putting together meals to finding the right school to hiring a reliable nanny, the job of a parent is never done. Even when your child grows up and goes off to college, they’re still going to need your love, knowledge and support. Since parenting is so demanding, it’s no surprise that both working and stay-at-home parents are almost always running on a sleep deficit.

While being a parent is definitely demanding, it’s also exciting. Not only does it bring a lot of joy to your life, but you get to share this joy with your entire family. In fact, your parents are the people who will most likely be just as excited and happy as you. Having grandkids is something that makes older adults extremely proud. Unfortunately, the hectic schedule kids will create for you can also distract you from a very important issue that may be developing.

Are Your Parents Still Capable of Taking Care of Themselves?
As a child, you view your parents as basically invincible. Even though you know they’re human, they almost seem larger than life. While you may have gone through a rough patch with them as a teenager, once your hormones settled down, you likely gained a deep appreciation for everything they did for you. For most parents, this appreciation becomes even greater once they realize just how challenging kids can be at times.

Because you have so much love, admiration and respect for your parents, it can be hard to acknowledge any signs that point towards a problem with them caring for themselves. Unfortunately, ignoring this type of situation is only going to lead to it becoming worse. Since the last thing you want is for something bad to happen as a result of not taking action, the first step is to talk to your parents about your concerns. While this won’t be an easy conversation, making your respect for them clear and showing that your concern comes from a place of love can help a lot.

It’s a Transition, Not a Rush
Even though this type of situation can be very difficult, the one upside is in most cases, it’s not a change that needs to happen overnight. Instead, it’s simply an issue that everyone needs to acknowledge so that a solution can be found. Since it can be hard to face this matter, it’s also worth noting that the solution isn’t always a difficult or “bad” one. For example, once you bring up your concerns and go through the process of looking at different options, you and your family may realize that all your parents need to do is move to a smaller home. In a lot of situations, a minor lifestyle change can put older adults in a safe setting without stripping them of their independence.

John Wisenheimer blogs for www.nanny.net which is a site that helps parents hire a nanny.