One common currency we older adoptive parents share is the likelihood that our mothers and fathers are longer in the tooth than most parents of twenty- and thirty-something moms and dads, while our kids are younger than those our peers are close to finished raising. This makes our version of the "Sandwich Generation" an even more dramatic example of how tough it can be to care for parents and children simultaneously.

The very old and the very young can be demanding. Their health and well-being requires often immediate attention, and it can take a great deal of energy, patience, time and resources to take proper care of people at either end of the spectrum ... much less both.

Being that as older parents we're closer to the tail end of the trail that we are to the beginning of the journey, our young children are positioned to go from the cared-for to the carer faster than those whose parents have fewer laps around the life track under their belts.

Like just about everything in this world, good forward planning can help to ease transitions and make situations much more comfortable, and when it comes to taking care being able to build a sustainable cushion of wherewithal ... money in this case in point today ... may make the difference for everyone involved.

Starting with the young ... since we are less than likely to be around for our children when they hit their middle age, it's important that we make all efforts to assure they are financially secure ... the Charles Schwab Foundation and its MoneyWise program is offering a resource for parents seeking to "ground their children in the basics of modern-day money management."

They have set up a site providing kids with knowledge and skills designed to enable them to make smart financial choices throughout life. Interactive tools like a savings calculator, budget planners and a debt payoff calculator can be tailored to individual circumstances.

Individual topics are linked to related information within the financial milestones section, such as establishing and managing an allowance, getting a first job and paying taxes, buying a car, saving for college and ultimately leaving home.

There's also a game, "Your Life", the illustrates the long-term effects of money-related decisions.

There's a look at Money Issues -- Older in the next post...