Navigating the Sandwich Generation Mental Health Challenges with Mary Ann Hughes

Aug 25, 2025
31 mins

Episode Description

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Learn how to maintain mental health while balancing care for neurodiverse children and elderly parents.'Mary Ann Hughes shares her experience as part of the sandwich generation, balancing care for her two adult sons with autism while supporting her elderly mother after a health crisis. She brings wisdom, compassion, and practical strategies for maintaining boundaries and finding yourself amid overwhelming caregiving responsibilities.

• Navigating the simultaneous care of aging parents and neurodiverse adult children
• Finding appropriate support systems when crises emerge
• Building a business to help families navigate special needs and divorce
• Managing the grief process while adapting to changing family dynamics
• Creating boundaries to maintain mental health and personal identity
• Becoming more compassionate and open through caregiving challenges
• Understanding that some days are neat "finger sandwiches" while others are messy "club sandwiches"
• Learning when and how to ask for help

If you're interested in connecting with Mary Ann Hughes, visit her website at www.specialfamilytransitions.com or find her on social media under Special Family Transitions. All her other sites are here:

Special Family Transitions Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/specialfamilytransitions


Special Family Transitions on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/specialfamilytransitions/


Special Family Transitions YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@specialfamilytransitions


TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@SpecialFamilyTransitions


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-ann-hughes-special-family-transitions/


Personal Facebook profile:

https://bit.ly/MaryAnnPanoHughes


Private Facebook group:

bit.ly/specialneedsdivorcesupport


RISE Mini-Course:

https://bit.ly/SpNeedsDivorce



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