I'm so excited about these retreat plans! I'm a relocation hopeful and would love a retreat focused on that. If you do, please open it to men as well. My ADHD brain doesn't handle the logistics/bureaucracy info as well as my partners and we'd definitely want to see and discuss it all together.
I was really saddened by the Slate article. Both of mine are out of the nest and I have lived far away and very near each of them. I can’t imagine going more than a few days without hearing their voices, or sharing a funny text or an interesting article. Our closeness has certainly waxed and waned, but it’s never been what this woman describes and gosh I hope it never will be. As I’ve read in several Mother’s Day posts over the last few days, everyone’s relationship with their parents is different, and distance goes both ways. Sometimes it’s challenging to work out what the “respectful” distance is with adult children, but sometimes the same with their empty nest Mom! My daughter is sometimes a touch offended when I say I’m busy!! Anyway, it certainly did make me appreciate the relationship I have with my kiddos.
I will admit that my son is harder than my daughter in terms of contact. But I won't EVER apologize for my "are you DEAD??" texts or my endless IG videos. I will never understand mothers who just fade into the background of their children's lives. We learn to communicate the way they do (more texts than lengthy calls) and move forward...not away!!
I so appreciate you sharing the Slate article! My kids are 8, 6, and 4, and although still so young, I have a lot of anticipatory grief about them leaving home that I have started to work through in therapy and also internally, in order to be better prepared (and also, i'm practicing at staying present to the RIGHT NOW!!!)
in any case, the article really moved me and I got out a great big cry, always a catharsis for me. Also, a meaningful reminder to call my own parents more often, since I do adore them and just don't get around to calling as much as I could.
In the United States, most healthcare plans do not cover HRT until menopause. For the troubling changes that occur in a woman’s brain during the many years that she is in perimenopause(brain fog, inability to recall words, forgetfulness), HRT can help and is available, but the out-of-pocket expense could be several hundred dollars a month. Even if you are able to pay that much for it, a woman often has to suffer through medical gaslighting over whether or not her symptoms are real, if HRT would actually help them, trumped up dangers over HRT, and finding a provider that will actually prescribe them. We truly are choosing to not treat middle aged women. It’s an injustice.
Im also so in for the retreats. I was probably your 1% other vote, lol. My suggestion would be “inspiring gardens” ie. Giverney to add to your mix of ideas. Im an entrepreneur, a garden consultant, and have contemplated such a trip!
It is maddening to me how little doctors seem to know about menopause, especially “menopause brain”. I started suffering from anxiety, panic attacks and depression in my early forties and now, just a few weeks after starting hormone therapy, the anxiety has dissipated and I’ve started feeling like my old self. Women’s health is criminally understudied.
Hello, Gabrielle! What a coincidence, I am going to be in Argentan for a retreat starting May 24! An artist that I know plans sketching/sightseeing retreats every year (in various parts of France/Europe) in partnership with a French fellow (logistics and inspiration) who lives part time in Argentan (he is remodeling Château D'Urou) and in New York. The people I've known who've been on these tours have loved them. We'll be sightseeing around Normandy. If you would like make connections with the local fellow for comparing notes, message me. You're a hero of mine; I hope I get a chance to walk past the Tall House. Best wishes, Laurie
Love the retreat idea! I'd love a practical one about relocation, if that ever happens. Also, my question is whether you'd include wine tasting on a more relax and enjoy style retreat?
I'm so excited about these retreat plans! I'm a relocation hopeful and would love a retreat focused on that. If you do, please open it to men as well. My ADHD brain doesn't handle the logistics/bureaucracy info as well as my partners and we'd definitely want to see and discuss it all together.
I am so in for the retreats. Sounds amazing!
I was really saddened by the Slate article. Both of mine are out of the nest and I have lived far away and very near each of them. I can’t imagine going more than a few days without hearing their voices, or sharing a funny text or an interesting article. Our closeness has certainly waxed and waned, but it’s never been what this woman describes and gosh I hope it never will be. As I’ve read in several Mother’s Day posts over the last few days, everyone’s relationship with their parents is different, and distance goes both ways. Sometimes it’s challenging to work out what the “respectful” distance is with adult children, but sometimes the same with their empty nest Mom! My daughter is sometimes a touch offended when I say I’m busy!! Anyway, it certainly did make me appreciate the relationship I have with my kiddos.
SAME! So much the same!!
I will admit that my son is harder than my daughter in terms of contact. But I won't EVER apologize for my "are you DEAD??" texts or my endless IG videos. I will never understand mothers who just fade into the background of their children's lives. We learn to communicate the way they do (more texts than lengthy calls) and move forward...not away!!
I so appreciate you sharing the Slate article! My kids are 8, 6, and 4, and although still so young, I have a lot of anticipatory grief about them leaving home that I have started to work through in therapy and also internally, in order to be better prepared (and also, i'm practicing at staying present to the RIGHT NOW!!!)
in any case, the article really moved me and I got out a great big cry, always a catharsis for me. Also, a meaningful reminder to call my own parents more often, since I do adore them and just don't get around to calling as much as I could.
I'm saving my pennies for a retreat! Amazing!
In the United States, most healthcare plans do not cover HRT until menopause. For the troubling changes that occur in a woman’s brain during the many years that she is in perimenopause(brain fog, inability to recall words, forgetfulness), HRT can help and is available, but the out-of-pocket expense could be several hundred dollars a month. Even if you are able to pay that much for it, a woman often has to suffer through medical gaslighting over whether or not her symptoms are real, if HRT would actually help them, trumped up dangers over HRT, and finding a provider that will actually prescribe them. We truly are choosing to not treat middle aged women. It’s an injustice.
Thank you for the Slate article. Tears flowing by the end. Im in this exact spot. The circle of life 💚
Im also so in for the retreats. I was probably your 1% other vote, lol. My suggestion would be “inspiring gardens” ie. Giverney to add to your mix of ideas. Im an entrepreneur, a garden consultant, and have contemplated such a trip!
Gabrielle, I’m excited about your parenting book! Do you have a chapter or any sections on sibling relationships?
That Slate article was an absolute gift. Thank you for sharing!
It is maddening to me how little doctors seem to know about menopause, especially “menopause brain”. I started suffering from anxiety, panic attacks and depression in my early forties and now, just a few weeks after starting hormone therapy, the anxiety has dissipated and I’ve started feeling like my old self. Women’s health is criminally understudied.
Hello, Gabrielle! What a coincidence, I am going to be in Argentan for a retreat starting May 24! An artist that I know plans sketching/sightseeing retreats every year (in various parts of France/Europe) in partnership with a French fellow (logistics and inspiration) who lives part time in Argentan (he is remodeling Château D'Urou) and in New York. The people I've known who've been on these tours have loved them. We'll be sightseeing around Normandy. If you would like make connections with the local fellow for comparing notes, message me. You're a hero of mine; I hope I get a chance to walk past the Tall House. Best wishes, Laurie
Love the retreat idea! I'd love a practical one about relocation, if that ever happens. Also, my question is whether you'd include wine tasting on a more relax and enjoy style retreat?