Navigating the Teenage Years: A Parent’s Perspective
As children transition into their teenage years, parents often find themselves facing unique challenges and rewards. Hilarie, a proud mother, embraces this stage of her son’s life, stating, “the teenage years are actually my favorite.” Her positive outlook highlights the importance of parental involvement during these critical years, offering insight and strategies for other parents navigating similar experiences.
Getting Involved: The Power of Community
Hilarie emphasizes the value of parents taking active roles in their children’s lives, particularly in school environments. “I got involved with PTSO at my son’s school,” she shared. This involvement, even when met with resistance, like when kids might say, “I don’t want you here,” is crucial. Hilarie believes that children need supportive figures in their lives who are not solely authority figures, but instead, loving and engaged community members. This kind of engagement fosters a sense of belonging and support for both parents and children.
Finding Common Ground with Teens
Through her daily interactions with preteens and teenagers, Hilarie has come to realize that the experiences of parents and children are more similar than one might think. “We’re going through hormone changes, they’re going through hormone changes. Our workload is insane, their workload is insane,” she noted. This shared understanding can help ease conflicts that often arise during the tumultuous teenage years. Recognizing that both generations are navigating stress and change can bridge the gap between parents and their children, fostering empathy and cooperation.
Understanding Hormonal Changes: A Shared Journey
Interestingly, Hilarie points out that the experiences of perimenopause and menopause can be likened to a “second adolescence.” This perspective sheds light on the biological changes adults go through, paralleling the hormonal shifts teenagers experience. By sharing her journey with these life changes, she aims to normalize conversations around topics that are often stigmatized or kept secret.
A Call to Action: Embracing Your Journey
In her mission to advocate for women’s health, Hilarie partners with Olly to raise awareness about Mellow Menopause supplements, sharing her own experiences with perimenopause. She encourages women to break free from the societal pressures of silence surrounding these symptoms, stressing that many might underestimate their own experiences with hormonal changes. “So many people reacted by saying, ‘You’re too young, you’re too young.’ My job now is to come out and be a megaphone and say, ‘You’re not too young.’”
Hilarie believes that addressing symptoms early can empower women to maintain control over their lives and well-being. “If you’re having the symptoms, it is starting. The sooner you manage it, the sooner you can just keep kicking ass,” she remarks. By encouraging open discussions and proactive management, she aims to help women avoid the pitfalls of secrecy, emphasizing that it’s possible to face these challenges together as a community.
