Hot Flashes and Homework: Managing Perimenopause as a Mum
Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years, typically occurring between the ages of 45 and 55. It happens when the ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone, leading to the cessation of menstrual cycles. Common symptoms include hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats, fatigue, and brain fog, though every woman experiences it differently. While menopause can bring challenges, it also signifies a new phase of life—one that allows for self-care, growth, and renewed focus on personal well-being.
Balancing motherhood and the challenges of the perimenopause can be a struggle
When Motherhood Meets Perimenopause
Motherhood is a journey filled with love, responsibility, and constant change. But what happens when that journey collides with perimenopause—the transitional phase before menopause? For many women, this intersection is both unexpected and overwhelming, bringing emotional and physical challenges while still being the rock for their families.
Perimenopause, which can start in the late 30s or 40s, comes with hormonal fluctuations that cause mood swings, fatigue, brain fog, and unpredictable cycles.
Perimenopause, which can start in the late 30s or 40s, comes with hormonal fluctuations that cause mood swings, fatigue, brain fog, and unpredictable cycles.
At the same time, mothers are often raising teenagers, managing household responsibilities, or even caring for aging parents. The emotional toll can be intense—one moment, you're helping with homework, the next, you're battling a wave of anxiety or frustration you can’t quite explain.
Yet, this phase also offers a chance for self-reflection and growth. Just as motherhood reshaped a woman’s identity, perimenopause is another transformation—a time to prioritize self-care, embrace change, and set new boundaries. Open conversations with family, lifestyle adjustments, and support from loved ones can make this journey smoother.
Though it may feel like a storm of hormones and responsibilities, perimenopause is not just an ending—it’s the beginning of a new chapter, one where wisdom, strength, and self-discovery take center stage.
Yet, this phase also offers a chance for self-reflection and growth. Just as motherhood reshaped a woman’s identity, perimenopause is another transformation—a time to prioritize self-care, embrace change, and set new boundaries. Open conversations with family, lifestyle adjustments, and support from loved ones can make this journey smoother.
Though it may feel like a storm of hormones and responsibilities, perimenopause is not just an ending—it’s the beginning of a new chapter, one where wisdom, strength, and self-discovery take center stage.
Practical Tips for Managing Menopause While Parenting
Balancing the demands of parenting while navigating menopause can feel overwhelming, but with the right strategies, it’s possible to manage both with grace and self-care. Here are some practical tips to help you through this transition:
1. Prioritize Self-CareMenopause brings physical and emotional changes, so taking care of yourself is essential. Get enough sleep, stay hydrated, and eat a balanced diet rich in whole foods, fiber, and protein to support hormonal balance.
2. Manage Mood Swings & StressParenting requires patience, and menopause can test it with irritability and anxiety. Practice mindfulness, deep breathing, or gentle exercise like yoga to stay grounded. Don’t hesitate to take short breaks when needed.
3. Communicate with Your FamilyBe open with your children and partner about what you’re experiencing. Let them know that mood shifts, fatigue, or hot flashes are part of this phase. Honest conversations can help them understand and offer support.
4. Set Boundaries & DelegateYou don’t have to do everything alone. If parenting tasks feel overwhelming, ask for help from your partner, older children, or trusted friends. Simplifying your routine can reduce stress and prevent burnout.
5. Stay ActiveRegular physical activity helps manage weight, boosts energy, and improves mood. A daily walk, dancing with your kids, or joining a fitness class can keep you feeling strong and energized.
6. Keep a Sense of HumorMenopause and parenting can both be unpredictable—sometimes, laughter is the best medicine! Embrace the chaos, celebrate small wins, and find humor in the little moments.
7. Seek SupportJoin a menopause support group or talk to other mothers going through the same phase. Sharing experiences can be comforting and provide helpful advice.
By acknowledging your needs and making small lifestyle adjustments, you can navigate menopause while continuing to be a loving and present parent. This season of life is challenging, but it’s also an opportunity for growth, strength, and renewed self-care. 💛
1. Prioritize Self-CareMenopause brings physical and emotional changes, so taking care of yourself is essential. Get enough sleep, stay hydrated, and eat a balanced diet rich in whole foods, fiber, and protein to support hormonal balance.
2. Manage Mood Swings & StressParenting requires patience, and menopause can test it with irritability and anxiety. Practice mindfulness, deep breathing, or gentle exercise like yoga to stay grounded. Don’t hesitate to take short breaks when needed.
3. Communicate with Your FamilyBe open with your children and partner about what you’re experiencing. Let them know that mood shifts, fatigue, or hot flashes are part of this phase. Honest conversations can help them understand and offer support.
4. Set Boundaries & DelegateYou don’t have to do everything alone. If parenting tasks feel overwhelming, ask for help from your partner, older children, or trusted friends. Simplifying your routine can reduce stress and prevent burnout.
5. Stay ActiveRegular physical activity helps manage weight, boosts energy, and improves mood. A daily walk, dancing with your kids, or joining a fitness class can keep you feeling strong and energized.
6. Keep a Sense of HumorMenopause and parenting can both be unpredictable—sometimes, laughter is the best medicine! Embrace the chaos, celebrate small wins, and find humor in the little moments.
7. Seek SupportJoin a menopause support group or talk to other mothers going through the same phase. Sharing experiences can be comforting and provide helpful advice.
By acknowledging your needs and making small lifestyle adjustments, you can navigate menopause while continuing to be a loving and present parent. This season of life is challenging, but it’s also an opportunity for growth, strength, and renewed self-care. 💛
Finding Support and Prioritising Self Care
Finding Support and Prioritising Self-Care During Menopause
Navigating menopause while balancing the demands of motherhood can feel overwhelming, but finding support and prioritising self-care can make a world of difference. Finding SupportMenopause is a shared experience, and you don’t have to go through it alone. Seek support from:
- Family & Friends – Open conversations with loved ones can help them understand what you’re going through and offer emotional support.
- Support Groups – Joining menopause or parenting support groups (online or in person) can connect you with others experiencing similar challenges.
- Healthcare Professionals – If symptoms are affecting your daily life, speak to a doctor for advice on treatments, lifestyle changes, or hormone therapy options.
- Other Mothers – Talking to other women juggling parenting and menopause can provide comfort, humor, and practical tips.
- Get Enough Rest – Poor sleep is common during menopause. Create a bedtime routine, reduce screen time before bed, and keep your bedroom cool.
- Eat Well – A diet rich in whole foods, protein, and calcium supports energy levels and bone health. Reduce caffeine and processed sugars to help manage mood swings.
- Move Your Body – Regular exercise, even gentle activities like walking or yoga, can improve mood, boost energy, and reduce stress.
- Practice Mindfulness – Meditation, deep breathing, or journaling can help manage anxiety and emotional ups and downs.
- Set Boundaries – It’s okay to say no and protect your time. Delegate tasks at home and make space for activities that bring you joy.
Embrace This Unique Phase of Life
Menopause is not just an ending—it’s a new beginning, a phase of transformation, wisdom, and self-discovery. While it comes with its challenges, from mood swings to fatigue, it also offers an opportunity to reconnect with yourself, redefine your priorities, and embrace a new kind of freedom.
Instead of resisting the changes, lean into them. Listen to your body, nurture your mind, and acknowledge the strength that has carried you through motherhood and life’s many seasons. This is a time to focus on self-care, self-love, and self-growth—things that often take a backseat while raising children.
Celebrate this stage as a rite of passage, a time when experience and confidence replace uncertainty. Embrace the joy of no longer worrying about periods, the wisdom that comes with years of nurturing others, and the space to finally put yourself first.
Just as you’ve guided your children through their growth, trust that you, too, will emerge from this transition stronger, wiser, and ready for the next beautiful chapter of your life. 💛✨
Instead of resisting the changes, lean into them. Listen to your body, nurture your mind, and acknowledge the strength that has carried you through motherhood and life’s many seasons. This is a time to focus on self-care, self-love, and self-growth—things that often take a backseat while raising children.
Celebrate this stage as a rite of passage, a time when experience and confidence replace uncertainty. Embrace the joy of no longer worrying about periods, the wisdom that comes with years of nurturing others, and the space to finally put yourself first.
Just as you’ve guided your children through their growth, trust that you, too, will emerge from this transition stronger, wiser, and ready for the next beautiful chapter of your life. 💛✨
A Mum’s Perimenopause Survival Tale
Hot Flashes and Homework: A Mum’s Perimenopause Survival Tale
Last night, I sat at the dining table, drenched in sweat, trying to help my 11-year-old with his math homework. The numbers on the page blurred as another hot flash hit. I fanned myself with his workbook, while he looked at me with a mix of confusion and mild horror.
“Mum, are you okay?”
“Just a little warm, love.”
“A little? You look like you ran a marathon.”
I laughed, because honestly, it felt like it. Perimenopause has turned me into a walking furnace at the most inconvenient times. Like when I’m in the middle of a serious “mum voice” lecture about cleaning his room, and suddenly, I have to strip off my jumper and chug a glass of ice water. It’s hard to command authority when you’re fanning yourself with a cereal box.
Then there’s the brain fog. One evening, I confidently told my son that 7 times 8 was 54. He stared at me, waiting for the punchline. I stared back, because I was certain I was right. Until I wasn’t. “Maybe we should check the calculator,” I mumbled.
And let’s not even talk about the mood swings. One minute, I’m teary over a crayon drawing he made me years ago, the next, I’m snapping because I tripped over yet another pair of shoes left in the hallway. My son has learned to approach cautiously, like someone handling an unpredictable weather forecast: “Mum, are we in a good mood today?”
But for all the chaos, we’re figuring it out together. He now knows to hand me a glass of cold water when he sees me sweating. I’ve learned to laugh when my hormones turn me into a human rollercoaster. And despite the brain fog, I’ve still got enough wisdom to remind him that no matter how many hot flashes, mood swings, or maths mistakes I make, I’ll always be his biggest supporter.
Perimenopause and parenting—it’s a wild ride. But hey, at least I always have an excuse to eat ice cream straight from the tub.
Last night, I sat at the dining table, drenched in sweat, trying to help my 11-year-old with his math homework. The numbers on the page blurred as another hot flash hit. I fanned myself with his workbook, while he looked at me with a mix of confusion and mild horror.
“Mum, are you okay?”
“Just a little warm, love.”
“A little? You look like you ran a marathon.”
I laughed, because honestly, it felt like it. Perimenopause has turned me into a walking furnace at the most inconvenient times. Like when I’m in the middle of a serious “mum voice” lecture about cleaning his room, and suddenly, I have to strip off my jumper and chug a glass of ice water. It’s hard to command authority when you’re fanning yourself with a cereal box.
Then there’s the brain fog. One evening, I confidently told my son that 7 times 8 was 54. He stared at me, waiting for the punchline. I stared back, because I was certain I was right. Until I wasn’t. “Maybe we should check the calculator,” I mumbled.
And let’s not even talk about the mood swings. One minute, I’m teary over a crayon drawing he made me years ago, the next, I’m snapping because I tripped over yet another pair of shoes left in the hallway. My son has learned to approach cautiously, like someone handling an unpredictable weather forecast: “Mum, are we in a good mood today?”
But for all the chaos, we’re figuring it out together. He now knows to hand me a glass of cold water when he sees me sweating. I’ve learned to laugh when my hormones turn me into a human rollercoaster. And despite the brain fog, I’ve still got enough wisdom to remind him that no matter how many hot flashes, mood swings, or maths mistakes I make, I’ll always be his biggest supporter.
Perimenopause and parenting—it’s a wild ride. But hey, at least I always have an excuse to eat ice cream straight from the tub.