As your parents head into the twilight of their lives, are you finding that you’re not just parenting your kids—but your parents, too? I have friends who are looking at caring for their mom and dad. If you’re considering it, ask these questions (from an article by Sarah J. Stevenson): Can I physically do it? “Do I have…support?” “Will I be able to make time for myself and my family?” “How will [this] affect my physical and mental health?” Am I willing to get help? Can I handle it financially? Can I “cut back on work responsibilities”? If you have a parent with dementia, can you handle “the hurtful words” that come with that? “Being a full-time caregiver can affect” every part of your life, Stevenson notes. But, it can be a blessing, too. Exodus 20:12: “ ‘Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you’ ” (ESV).

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.

Suggested Reading: Exodus 20:12,, Leviticus 19:32