Purchasing

Mary Walker

Fabulous over 40
July 30, 2007

I recently read a story in More magazine called “Working Through Menopause.” (For those of you that don’t read fashion magazines, More is a fashion magazine focused on information for women over 40. Don’t drop out yet! They write articles on a lot of stuff.)
 

The article states, “Hot flashes, brain fog, sleepless nights: How do we manage our careers when our bodies are on a roller-coaster ride?” About 25% of menopausal women actually suffer significant symptoms. 

If you mention menopause to most midlifers, you start a laugh session. Tara Parker-Pope, author of the Hormone Decision, observes that some women invite an audience when they continually adjust the office thermostat, for themselves, and dramatically tear their jackets off. “Hot flashes are nothing to be ashamed of,” she says, “but women should be conscious about drawing attention to a symptom that could be perceived as part of the aging process.” This is a condition that should not be talked about from 9 to 5.

This is the first generation to have so many women working through menopause. Some of the men classify some female decisions as the “Double M” Menopause Management.

Suzanne McCabe, a human resources professional in Westport, Connecticut, is tuned in to the menopause issues from both legal and management perspectives. She notes that there are no government regulations protecting employees from being discriminated against because of menopause symptoms. Suzanne states, “If you are in a fast-paced heavy-workload company, expect your boss to be less patient when you lose productivity.” 

Many women change professions at this time in their life. Not necessarily for health reasons, they give more thought to how they are spending their time. Many choose a less stressful job so they have the time to spend with friends and family. 

Diane Ormerod and her friend started a website www.bikinisandbifocals.com. Ormerod states women are looking for alternative means to improve the quality of their lives.

When my daughter was small and I was a stay at home mom, I really did not take advantage of this. I was like on a time clock on handling the chores at home. I had a time schedule and a plan. How much I missed out on by working all the time. I have finally reached the point when I do more of what I want to and let some of the supposedly “have to’s” wait. Who really cares that the windows aren’t washed every month. As they say,

“Take time to smell the roses.” On the welcome page of Bikinis and Bifocals, the header is “Attitude is everything!” 

Attitudes are contagious, bad ones spread.

Posted by Mary Walker on July 30, 2007 | Comments (0)