How to Navigate Menopause Together As a Family.
Menopause is a natural transition and process that all women go through, however, it is rarely discussed openly, and many families are unprepared for the emotional, psychological, and physical changes that it brings.
Navigating menopause can be a challenge, but as with any journey, it can be made better with the right support.
In this post, we’ll discuss how to navigate menopause together as a family, I hope to give you some tools and strategies to enable you to share what is going on in your life and body with your loved ones or at the very least share this post with them to provide some insights.
What is Menopause?
Menopause is a significant life event that marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years.
Menopause is just a moment, the moment she realises it has been 12 months since her last natural period, women are then considered post-menopause.
The average age of menopause is 51, however, the journey to this point can be anything from 4, 7 or 14 years.
The years leading up to menopause and commonly called peri-menopause.
During this time, the body undergoes hormonal shifts, fluctuations similar to that of puberty as the body’s reproductive organs start to slow down.
Symptoms can be physical, emotional and cognitive and can include hot flushes, mood swings, insomnia, joint aches and pains, memory issues and changes in menstrual patterns.
Understanding what menopause is and acknowledging its inevitability is the first step towards supporting a family member going through this transition.
How to Support Someone Going Through Menopause
Supporting a loved one through menopause begins with empathy and communication.
It’s essential to listen to their experiences and feelings without judgment.
Encourage open and honest conversations about what they are going through.
Additionally, be patient and understanding when dealing with mood swings and other symptoms.
When women are raising a family in their 20s, 30s and early 40s, maintaining a home and often working full or part-time they may appear super-human. Women can juggle many responsibilities and often pride themselves in keeping all the plates spinning, this is the Mother Archetype phase of their life.
However, as they approach menopause and the Wild Woman Archetype they might find it harder to remain organised and on top of everything like they used to which, Believe me, is extremely frustrating!
A recent survey has found that 1 in 4 women have quit their job due to menopause symptoms.
While this is an awful statistic and will no doubt affect the financial lives of women and their families who lose that additional income, the responsibilities of home and family life can feel like a job they want to quit.
The mental load and the invisible jobs that women do out of habit, love or choice is something that can become a huge burden through menopause.
As cheesy as it sounds, menopause is a time in a woman’s life to take a ‘pause’. It is time to assess what needs to continue and what needs to change and we need space, mental and physical to be able to do this.
Boundaries are important and these need to be communicated clearly to family, friends and in the workplace.
If you are a loved one reading this ask “How can I help?” or “What can I take off your hands?” Educate yourself about menopause to better comprehend what your loved one is experiencing.
How to Deal with a Menopausal Mother
When dealing with a menopausal mother patience and compassion are key, read that again kids!
As described above, help with daily chores and responsibilities will ease the stress and fatigue that can accompany this transition.
When raising a family during their fertile years women often put their own hopes, dreams and desires on hold, even though raising a family can be one of those dreams, however, loss of identity is a common issue women face.
Often when children have grown and flown the nest women can feel empty inside, as though they no longer have a purpose.
Even though you are grown and independent don’t forget to check in on mum. Be open about how you are feeling and what is going on in your world.
Encourage your mum to take some time for herself.
Ask her what she used to enjoy doing before you were the centre of her world. What issues light her up? Gently encourage her to spend time on her own needs and show interest in new hobbies and activities.
Sometimes, a simple gesture, like a heartfelt note or a hug, can go a long way in making your mum feel appreciated.
How to Support Menopausal Mums and Daughters
Menopause isn’t just an experience for women in midlife.
Perimenopause, the years leading up to menopause, can bring about symptoms that affect mothers and daughters simultaneously.
Open conversations between generations can help normalise the process and create a support network.
Share experiences, seek advice from one another, and encourage each other to put boundaries in place and take time out.
This shared journey can strengthen the mother-daughter bond and help both parties feel less alone.
Dealing with Menopause For Husbands and Partners
Menopause can impact not only the person going through it but also their partners. It can bring about a rollercoaster of emotions, and it’s crucial to offer a safe and nurturing environment.
Husbands and partners should educate themselves about menopause to understand the changes their loved one is experiencing. Patience and empathy are essential.
Offer to join them in adopting a healthier lifestyle, which can alleviate some symptoms and provide long-term health and well-being for you both.
Be a good listener and express your love and support. You don’t have to have all the answers or try to ‘fix’ the ‘problem’.
Try not to be offended if the words that come from your partner are harsh, this is new for you both and she needs to feel safe and secure to express her feelings so you can navigate a way through together.
Menopause and divorce can often go hand in hand and this can just be due to a lack of communication and understanding of what each other is going through.
A comment such as “I hate my life” or “I need to get away” may just mean she needs to put some boundaries in place so she has the space and time to understand her feelings or maybe she is overwhelmed with the Invisible Load and responsibilities need to be shared out more evenly or hired out to a professional.
Remember, your understanding and support can make a significant difference in how smoothly this transition is navigated.
Conclusion:
Menopause is an important but often uncomfortable and unspoken-of transition that all women go through.
It can be a difficult and emotional experience for everyone involved, but families can navigate this difficult process together if they possess the right knowledge and approach.
By understanding what menopause is, being supportive, and providing unconditional love and respect, families can easily move through this challenging transition and provide one another with the support needed.
If you or a loved one are going through this process and you are unsure where to turn, book a no-obligation complimentary 30-minute menopause assessment where we can discuss your unique symptoms and create a plan to get you started on the road to reclaiming your life!
Further Reading
Here are a few of my previous blog posts;