Gen X didn’t get a manual. We got a house key, a deadline, and a lifetime subscription to “figure it out.” Then adulthood showed up like: congrats, you’re now the caregiver, the parent, the employee, and the emotional support human. Also, your back hurts. I’m a Gen X mom and grandma who spent years caring for my mom after her dementia diagnosis. I loved her. I was exhausted. I laughed so I wouldn’t cry. Sometimes I cried anyway. If you’re in this season—past or present—this i