Soon school’s out for the summer, your hormones are out of control, and you think you’re going out of your mind. It’s a situation that would even test the patience of June Cleaver. (If you’re in the throes of perimenopause or menopause, you’re likely to know who she is.)
Looking forward to a stress-free summer? Good luck with that! Perimenopause and menopause is stressful enough, thank you very much. Having your kids home all summer long is stress squared.
If you have school-age children, chances are you’ll hear the all-too-familiar “I’m bored” a gazillion times over the summer months. It’s enough to make a grown woman cry. (Of course, anything can make you cry when your hormones are in a constant state of flux.)
How to get along swimmingly
As if hot flashes weren’t bad enough, the external temperature is giving your internal thermometer a run for the money. You can turn down the A/C at home, but you may find the rest of your family wearing thermal underwear in the house.
One way to cope with both the kids’ boredom and your own boiling body is to head to the nearest watering hole. I’m not talking about the neighborhood bar (alcohol can trigger your beloved hot flashes). I’m talking about a pool, lake or beach. This will help you cool off, in more ways than one. You can simply escape underwater. You’ll be both out of the sun’s harsh rays and out of earshot from your kids’ whining. Sweat, dunk, repeat.
A new chapter in your life
You also can escape from reality with a few good summer reads. Yes, I mean the type of books you may consider covering with a brown wrapper (and I don’t mean a kid’s schoolbook with a paper-bag book cover). Of course, you’ve got to be careful… a book along the lines of Fifty Shades of Gray can turn you into Five Hundred Degrees of Hot Flashes.
If you have teenagers home for the duration, you’ve got a hormonal double-whammy. Your hormones are all over the map, and their hormones are kicking into high gear. It’s nature’s cruelest joke, and you’re the punch line. I suggest taking time to be honest with your teens about your perimenopausal and menopausal journey. Talk to them about not personalizing your emotional highs and lows or every time you seem agitated or out of patience. Many women find that sitting down with my Menopause Symptoms Chart is helpful. You may find that your teens are experiencing some of the same things you are as their hormones are fluctuating, too. Finding a common ground helps to calm down those dueling hormones and encourages support instead of more stress.
Purposeful days encourage self-worth
My advice? Encourage your teen to get a summer job. Whether it’s babysitting, mowing lawns, lifeguarding at the community pool, working as a camp counselor or scooping ice cream at the corner store, it will help your teen find a productive purpose each day – and teach him/her the value of the almighty dollar.
If you’ve got kids home from college on summer break, you’ve got to set some ground rules. While they were away at school, they could come and go as they pleased. Now that they’re back under your roof (and under your skin), this could be problematic. Let’s face it, you’re not sleeping great as it is, with night sweats and insomnia. Add to that the angst of staying up to make sure your kids arrive home safe at night (or morning, as the case may be), and you’ll be starring in the next zombie flick.
Take a chill pill. (If only there were a pill for that!)
Try to take a deep breath, kick your feet up, kick back and relax. According to research published in The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, exercise significantly reduces feelings of anger, confusion, fatigue, tension, and vigor. So, grab your tennis shoes and take a walk. There are many ways to cope with your menopausal stress. Otherwise, you might be tempted to kick the whole brood out of the house.
The good news? Before you know it, school will be back in session and you’ll be all smiles. Well, at least for 5 minutes or so. The next minute, you’ll be sobbing hysterically because you’ll miss having your kids around. Ain’t hormones grand?
13 thoughts on “Summer Break or Summer Breaking Point? How to Deal with Hormones and Your Kids”
I adore summer because it always feels like renewal, and a time to feel like a child again. Going to the pool? My lazy, hazy youth. Relaxing? Day trips and vacations. Ah, it sure feels good!
Me too, Cathy! Love the summer…bbq’s picnic in the park — fun time with friends and family!
Probably one of my favorite of your posts, full of practical (and fun!) advice.
Thanks, Carol! So sweet of you!
Good read. Made me think about why I might be battling my inner gremlins. Maybe menopause is a little piece of it. Lol
Oh my… I really don’t miss those “stress squared” days :)! Great reminder about the value of taking a deep breath and a walk!
Totally!!!
This is such a good post, such valuable, practical advice.
As a mom-mom I really look forward to school being out and having my grandkids around the house.
Taking them to the pool or the beach gives me hours to sit close by, working with a few breaks to play in the water with them.
I still cannot believe how I let the messiness of water stop me from letting my own kids play in water, when they were little.
Doreen, we all probably have “I wish I would have” -“could have” thoughts as Mom’s. But yesterday is gone….the present is what’s important. Sounds like you and kids are going to have a great summer! Enjoy!
My blog this week is about coping with summer and menopause symptoms too. It is that time of year.Who ever invented the expression “chill pill’ was not menopausal!
With a little help from your menopause specialist…you can enjoy you summer and your life!
There is nothing like the beach to rejuvenate the soul. Whatever your age or ratio of hot flash to hot thoughts!
I agree, Janie. I LOVE the beach….the feeling of the sand in between my toes and the sound of the ocean…it is very healing!