How is your life is different than your parent's lives were when they were your age?

Posted November 19, 2007, 11:33 pm by Growing Bolder


Each week, Growing Bolder will ask top leaders, thinkers, writers, life coaches, entertainers and role models to weigh in on issues affecting your life. Our Thought Leaders include some of the most insightful, accomplished minds in America.

This week, we want to know how your life is different than your parent's lives were when they were your age.

	Ronda Beaman The thing that is most different for parents today versus our parents' lives yesterday is options -- we have more of them, we exercise more of them and we demand and expect more of them. Truth be told, many of our mothers began the fight for those options, many of us benefited from and carried on that fight and we all share the belief that the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. The option to be a mother, to have a career and a self and to develop an important voice in society are gifts passed from one generation to another. About Ronda Ronda is the author of "You're Only Young Twice: 10 Do-Overs to Reawaken Your Spirit." The wife, mother and grandmother is the ultimate renaissance woman -- she holds a doctorate in leadership and she's a dream coach, a distinguished professor and a personal trainer.
Nick Gandy Seems to me that life was a lot simpler then. I'm sure my parents were involved in the same kind of activities I'm involved in today. We were active in our church. I played baseball and my parents were very supportive. I could always hear my mother encouraging me even when there were other parents cheering. I do the same for both of my sons now. Something that has stuck with me since then is my mother only worked part time until my sister and I were well into our teens. That's the way our family is today. My wife only works part time and is with our sons, age 10 and 5, from the time they get out of school. I think that's important. It seems there are just a lot more anxieties today than there were in 1974. But I could be wrong. I'm sure my parents worried about all of our health, paying the bills and providing for us as best they could. About Nick Nick Gandy is the Director of Communications for the Florida Sports Foundation, the official sports promotion and development organization for the state of Florida. Part of his duties with the Foundation is to promote and publicize the annual Florida Senior Games State Championships.
	Marilyn Kentz It's NOT your mother's midlife when you go to Google to find out two things -- if you are going to die from your hormone replacement therapy and what is the perfect preschool for your 3-year-old. It's not your mother's midlife when your attitude says, "Oooo what a cute, sexy little thong...maybe I should get one." But your body says, "Ah, no.. Better stick with the big whites. You can't handle it." It's not your mother's midlife when the little heart tattoo you got on you abdomen when were 20 now looks like a birthmark on your thigh, and you wonder if it might be cancerous. About Marilyn With Nancy Alspaugh, Marilyn co-authored "Not Your Mothers Midlife: A 10-Step Guide to Fearless Aging," a groundbreaking book that helps women face middle age with confidence. Marilyn is a member of the popular comedy duo, "The Mommies." Marilyn and Nancy are both authors and activists.
Christine Schwab At my age, my mother was slowing down. I am anything but slowing down. My mother was retired and loved the thought of going no place for days at a time. I love to go places all the time. My mother felt she was "old" and I feel like I am still young. She concentrated on aches and pains; I concentrate on working out and eating well. She loved to drink wine; I am into green tea. She was "through with men," I adore being with my husband. Basically she looked at life as close to being over and I look at life as having the opportunity to do all the things I want to do. About Christine She's a renowned style expert and fashion consultant who has appeared on "Today," "Oprah," "Live with Regis and Kelly" and more. She's been a spokesperson for many of the world's most powerful fashion brands and retailers. In her book, "The Grown-Up Girl's Guide to Style," she smashes ridiculous and unfounded stereotypes.
	Nancy Alspaugh We have nothing against our beloved moms, we are simply grateful that we are the lucky ones -- the first generation of women who don't have to endure the fear of aging quietly or alone. For our dear mothers, there were no guidelines for being happy, healthy, glorious women once they reached a "certain age." Life for their generation was about being modest, frugal and taken care of -- something most of us know very little about. Our generation is made of a variety of uninhibited women from powerful executives to intelligent, creative stay-at-home moms to those who tattoo their bums and believe a good credit card is the world's best prescription mood enhancer. Men ruled the house for our mother's generation, whereas today we call the shots along with them. In our mother's mid-life, feelings and family secrets were kept to yourself. There were no books by famous women talking about their menopause. Today a woman is not defined by being middle aged, she has the freedom to define for herself what she wants the second half of her life to be. And for her, 50 is indeed the new 30. About Nancy With Marilyn Kentz, Nancy co-authored "Not Your Mothers Midlife: A Ten-Step Guide to Fearless Aging," a groundbreaking book that helps women face middle age with confidence. Nancy is an Emmy Award-winning TV producer who produced network and syndicated shows, including "Leeza." Both are authors and activists.
Tim Athey This is a question that I often ponder these days. My mother is now an 80-year-old widow, living by herself in a retirement home, and struggling with many health problems. My wife, Pat, and I are now responsible for her care and we have the responsibility, and opportunity, to be her primary social and emotional contact in life. One of the interesting things about caring for an aging parent is the "trading places" phenomenon that this question addresses. Not only do I, as the child, provide my mother with the opportunity to reflect on what her life was like 30 years ago when she was my age, but she also gives me the opportunity to reflect on what my life might be like 30 years from now, when I'm her age. This is a powerful aspect of our maturing relationship with our aging parents and one that we all should ponder. About Tim Tim Athey, Ph.D., is president of Transition Leadership in Fort Collins, Colo. He works with executives, managers and business teams across a wide spectrum of public and private sector organizations to improve leadership effectiveness and business results. Tim has authored several professional articles on leadership and recently released his first book, "The Second Journey: Mid-Life Challenges for the Baby Boomer Generation."
	Sherrie Mathieson My mom thought of herself as a homemaker and at my age (and still is) basically focused on her children and her involvement in their and her grandchildren's lives. I was always involved in my creative career, and although cherishing my marriage, I've chosen not to have children. By now I've reinvented myself within my creative world several times, from fine art to costume design and styling to style consulting. Now at 61, I act is if I'm 20 (with optimism that is) basically beginning again, proving myself as an author and expert in my field (style) and working incredibly hard toward a daunting goal. About Sherrie Sherrie Mathieson is an award-winning costume designer and stylist who has created a manual to help bring you and your clothes into the 21st century. Her book,"Forever Cool: How to Achieve Ageless, Youthful and Modern Personal Style" is full of tips for men and women.
Kerul Kassel My mom bucked the trend, and she was ahead of her time. She not only worked when we were growing up, she had her own textile manufacturing business -- an entire plant! And she belonged to a country club, took nice vacations and had live-in assistance when we kids were little in the late 1950s and early 1960s. She didn't try to do it all herself; she knew when to delegate and seek support. She made her own opportunities and didn't feel shy about it, either! The biggest difference is that she felt pressure to have kids and I never have. That has given me some freedoms that she didn't have, but I don't think my quality of life is any better than hers ever was. About Kerul Kerul is an expert on mastering your time and living your dreams. She's a coach and consultant to executives, business owners and individuals. She knows how to increase productivity and eliminate procrastination. She's the author of "Stop Procrastinating Now."

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