Family Squeeze: Tales of Hope and Hilarity for a Sandwiched Generation

Phil Calloway is a man who knows the joys and heartaches of raising teenagers and caring for elderly parents. Family Squeeze is funny, touching, and heartwarming. I found myself nodding in agrement more than once, and I laughed out loud a few times. It even has cartoons. What can I say? I loved the book. Highly recommended.

Written in Phil's usual hilarious but "the way it is" style, I recommend it to anyone who's "sitting in the middle" of a multiple generation family. And, well, to just ANYONE, for that matter. GREAT reading.

Phil Callaway has been called "the Dave Barry with a message." The label fits. Humor, some tongue-in-cheek, some outright roll-your-eyes corny, some hysterical, blended with self-depreciation, or sadness, or loss fills chapter after chapter of a poignant read. Chicken soup flavored short segments with more humor and more hope, even for those not facing the exact situation of teens and adult parent squeeze that hits many mid-lifers. Callaway met my expectations. Each story works as a stand alone and together paint a picture of a loving, nutty, respectful family. As a whole I'd describe Family Squeeze as less side-splitting hilarity and more humor that stops the reader and causes self-inspection, a flood of memories or a tiny fragment of hope. Callaway honestly paints his life, not sparing himself from the harsh light of truth where his own flaws are concerned. The he whips around to a lesson that penetrates reader thoughts and attitudes. Entertaining and uplifting words that stick. Family Squeeze is a book for caregivers, or those who need to laugh, or those who care to live a life that makes a difference.

Family Squeeze by Phil Callaway is a hilarious look at the generation stuck between raising teens and taking care of their aging parents. Callaway, who has three children, took care of his parents as they got older, and in the beginning stages of his mother's Alzheimers. He tackles the struggles and joys of caring for the old and young with faith and humor. Having two teenagers myself, I related all too strongly to that portion of the book. Sons who eat you out of house and home, daughters who brush aside advice and rules with a condescending smile; Callaway relates it in a way that had me roaring with laughter. His stories about his parents were funny, sweet, and moving as well. The chapters are short anecdotes, easy to read for those with no time to read, but difficult to put down.

I was hooked from the introduction! Phil Callaway has a talent for telling stories about life. He incorporates just enough wit to keep us reading, yet he tackles the essence of life. I am part of the Squeeze generation, stuck between my children and my aging parents. I like Callaway's theory (actually his wife's), "do unto your parents as you want your children to do unto you." It is heartwarming to know that there are people wise enough to practice such a philosophy. Callaway offers 10 ways to raise a village idiot. I had to laugh and then stop to think how serious this issue is. Alzheimer is a tragic disease; Callaway candidly shares his experiences of dealing with his father. Family Squeeze is a book fraught with hope. Callaway is an extremely talented author. I highly recommend Family Squeeze to all "middle aged" people.