Bookends

I've heard the phrase 'bookend' generation to refer to those, like mine, who simultaneously take care of their parents and their children. Today we got another manifestation of that.

My daughter would like to replace her guinea pig. She wants -- has wanted for quite some time -- to get a dog. I'm willing to, but my wife's adamantly against it, because you have to walk them on rainy, snowy days, no matter that our daughter promises she'd take care of it. I'd like a cat, which my wife would be willing to get,as would my daughter, but my mother is terrified that she will trip over a fast-moving cat. She wasn't even too fond of the guinea pig, but at least it was usually in the cage.

So my daughter can't get what she wants because of my wife, I can't get what I want because of my mother. My wife doesn't want anything, and my mother would be happier with nothing.

It's good being an adult.