Ways in Making the Family Understand and Support the Mother in Her Menopausal Struggles

When I was still a little girl, whenever my granny scolded us or shout or do something "negative", my aunts would always say "she's having her menopausal stage, that's why."
Is it really normal to be an angry, high-pitched woman most of the times if you are undergoing menopausal stage? What are the reasons behind these "not so-nice attitudes?"
First of all, let us know the meaning of the word so we can have a better understanding about it. Menopause is a part of a woman's life cycle. Either she is married or not, she will undergo this physiological transition at the latter part of her life.
When we say transitional changes physiologically, it is a stage familiar with everyone. Yes, everyone (again) passes this stage during adolescence. The difference between adolescence and menopausal is; adolescents are growing when they have this transitory changes, while in menopausal stage, the woman is losing some of the "privilege" in life, maybe the most important In being a woman...the miracle of giving birth. A psychiatrist even says that menopause is the natural end for a woman as a servant of the specie. Other researchers state that menopause is a "hormone deficiency disease".
Whatever the findings of experts in this subject, menopause, what I wanted to emphasize is: a menopausal woman is undergoing so many changes which has serious effects in her physical, emotional and psychological state. To be able to conquer or cope with all these "negative" changes, a woman needed support, understanding and care from her family.
What to do to make them supportive to the mother of the family? Here are some proven ways:

• Know the real meaning of menopause. The father, as the head of the family and the partner of the woman should understand not only the meaning of the word, but also the how, what, why of the term.
• Share the burden. Both the father and the mother should "brain storm." The mother should share her feelings, her fears, her wants, and whatever knowledge she has about the subject. Sharing anything eases the hardship by half.
• Include the children. It is not only the mother that is affected by the transitory changes. Whatever she felt, it shows. A family meeting is a must even before the "phenomenon" occurs.
• Educate the family. As early as possible, this topic should be a part of family gatherings, even as a passage, or jokingly, or during the "family day".

A family that shares not only love, but also the difficulties, will always find that whatever hurdles come, the struggle is easier. The bonding will be stronger for a family that shares and support each other.
The author is a Teacher, a wife and a mom. She wanted to reach out by sharing her ideas and experiences through her writings. She also uses the pen name Lourimar in her other works. Visit http://asterpetals.blogspot.com/