Empty Nest Is there an answer to loneliness? Posted on September 24September 25 Loneliness is becoming a public health crisis at the same time that digital communication is increasing. Various studies show that it has a negative effect on physical and mental health. When you feel lonely it often results in feelings that others don’t understand you. Does feeling lonely influence how you… Read more
Journaling after a late-life divorce Posted on August 30August 30 Divorce is emotionally taxing and going through divorce after 50 can cause your anxiety to spiral. When you’re anxious it’s difficult to think straight and make sound decisions. Journaling after a late-life divorce can help you to cope with anxiety. It gives you a safe space to process your thoughts… Read more
What are the reasons for gray divorce? Posted on January 15May 6 The following infographic gives some of the reasons why older couples are getting divorced. Analysis of divorce data reveals that divorce rates among people of 65 and over tripled between 1990 and 2021. The trend appears to be driven by baby boomers and doesn’t show signs of slowing down anytime… Read more
10 Thoughtful Christmas Gifts for Adult Sons and Daughters Posted on October 8May 6 Choosing Christmas gifts for your adult children can be a challenge. It’s easier when they are small children but as adults you are less involved in their daily lives and may not be as in tune with what they want. When searching online for gifts for adult children you often… Read more
A Beginner’s Guide to Growing and Harvesting Microgreens Posted on July 3July 3 Microgreens are among the smallest and most nutritious plants you can grow. They can add texture, flavor and color to salads, sandwiches, smoothies and main meals. It can be expensive to buy them but they are easy to grow. The best thing about them is that you don’t need a… Read more
8 Easter Gifts for Grandkids that last longer than Chocolate Posted on April 11April 11 Toys, books and games are great if you want to give your grandkids an alternative to Easter eggs and keep them entertained at Easter. Some of the following toys can also make great prizes in an Easter egg hunt. Your grandkids will have great fun without overindulging in chocolate and… Read more
Coping with the Curved Ball of Covid-19 Posted on May 7May 7 Coronavirus has jolted us off-balance and as many of us have never faced a crisis of this nature before, we don’t know how to respond. For many, a sense of security, safety and certainty has disappeared. Don’t give in to fear We all have assumptions of how life should be… Read more
A Visit to Cabrespine in the South of France Posted on January 3September 7 Visiting the South of France has been on my bucket list ever since I read Peter Mayle’s “A Year in Provence”. Little did I know that my sister and her husband would move from South Africa to Cabrespine in France and I would be flying to visit them on the… Read more
E-readers for over 50s Posted on June 6August 30 It appears that many people over 50 have overcome their initial prejudice about e-books. Many of them already own one or want to buy one. I resisted the idea of using an e-reader at first. I have loved reading books all my life. Examining the cover and feeling the pages… Read more
Empty Nest Count your blessings in an empty nest Posted on August 29 It may feel as if your life will never be the same after the years of hands-on parenting end. You are right – it won’t ever be the same. It will be quite, quite different. But although it’s different, there are ways in which it can be very rewarding. You… Read more
Empty Nest My empty nest is the best of both worlds Posted on May 22 I have the best of both worlds. I spend the week in my empty nest and my 21-year-old daughter comes home from university nearly every weekend. She has the attraction of a boyfriend who lives down the road from me but I don’t care why she comes – I just… Read more
Release My Grip by Kami Gilmour: a review Posted on May 17May 22 In Release My Grip, Kami Gilmour shares her own journey and offers encouragement to all of those facing a time when their kids are leaving home and learning to fly. She writes with humour, honesty and insight, offering wisdom that can only come from someone who has learned the hard… Read more
Empty Nest When you need help in your empty nest Posted on January 9 Feeling mixed emotions when your children leave home is perfectly normal. Even those who thought they would handle the transition with ease may find it is more difficult than they expected. Some grieving is bound to occur. An empty nest often comes at the same time as various other challenges… Read more
Empty Nest The Tools: Book Review Posted on November 22 The book Tools by Phil Stutz and Barry Michels is aptly named as it offers five life tools or techniques to unlock our potential. Phil Stutz is a psychiatrist and Barry Michels a psychotherapist and they have many years of experience between them. At the heart of this book is… Read more
Empty Nest What is end-of-life planning? Posted on November 16 If you are terminally ill or are coming to the end of your life, talking about your wishes for your final months should be part of the process. Nobody really wants to face the idea of planning for death. However, when you have written down your personal preferences and wishes,… Read more
Empty Nest How to create a living will Posted on November 14November 15 When you create a living will, you take responsibility for the manner in which you choose to die. It comes into effect when you are no longer able to voice your own wishes or make your own decisions. Everyone has a legal right to sign a living will (as long… Read more
Empty Nest Don’t judge empty nesters who feel sad! Posted on August 10 The word ‘whine’ immediately evokes images of a child complaining in an annoying way. Nobody wants to listen to people who whine and complain about their circumstances, no matter how dire. However, I recently came across a blog with the title ‘Stop whining about your empty nest’ in the Huffington… Read more
Empty Nest Empty nest families in India Posted on August 5 Does empty nesting only apply in Western cultures? This question is asked because in many other cultures it is common for adult children to continue living with parents and grandparents. Some research being done in India is very interesting because it shows that parents are going through similar empty nest… Read more
Empty Nest Do dads experience empty nest syndrome? Posted on July 25 In his book, Love Life, Rob Lowe expresses what he felt when his sons left the nest. He says “I’m trying to remember when I felt like this before. Like an elephant is sitting on my chest, like my throat is so tight and constricted that I can feel its tendons,… Read more
Empty Nest Thriving in an empty nest Posted on June 3January 15 Bringing up children is often an all-consuming, unselfish phase of life. This is why when our children leave home it can be so hard to readjust and settle into the next phase. Some children stay close, taking more and more frequent trips out of the nest, making it somewhat easier… Read more