Your mom is a lifesaver and plays a central role in raising you. Many women sacrifice their lives to raise children and husbands, provide a stable environment, and shape us today.
When mothers reach retirement age, they begin a new chapter of their lives away from work. Sometimes this transition can be difficult because a lot of their identity may be wrapped up in their occupation. This is a time to repay them with support and guidance. Instead of focusing on the ending of the chapter of work, you can help your mom transition into an exciting era of her life.
Here are some effective ways to help your mom get used to retirement.
Start with a Party
When a person retires, it is often done with little fanfare. This switch can lead to negative emotions as their identities shift from productive workforce members to unemployed seniors. Retirement is a festive occasion where a life of hard work should be recognized. Whether or not their employer makes a big deal of it, you should celebrate your mother.
Instead of soberly saying goodbye to their colleagues and employers, focus on their contribution in general. Gather family and friends to cheer them on in this transition and get them excited about the next phase of their lives.
Include gifts that give them ideas on what to do next and make them feel loved and appreciated beyond their identity as workers. This is because they have always gone beyond their job.
Retirement Homes
To many, retirement homes bring images of a sterile hospital environment where you have to die. In sharp contrast is the reality that retirement homes give seniors a new lease on life. And forget about hospital rooms and nurses’ stations. Today’s retirement homes are active communities that resemble resorts.
Once your mom is retired, she may want something other than house maintenance. Maybe she is sick of cooking and wants to be surrounded by people her age, looking for companionship. This is what she will find in a retirement home.
There are many options for the size of the suite you wish to reside in. It is very similar to a condo setting; only the main floor will have a large variety of rooms for entertainment and activities, along with a full-service dining room for all her meals.
Form Friendships
Retirement is a chance to make new friends and engage in fun pursuits together. Many places offer day trips and even travel clubs. This is the best option if your mom is ready to upgrade her lifestyle and move on from her current home.
Helping your mom get used to retirement may be an adjustment for her, so support and encourage her. You can use this guide to help her enjoy her golden years because she earned them.
Be Active In Their Life More
Ending your employment leaves a large hole in your mother’s day, leaving them lost on what to do with themselves. This is where you can fill in the gap, at least partially.
Set up a routine with your mother where you meet for lunch every week and have a family dinner on the weekends. This is so your entire family can attend. Beyond this, if you are available, get your mother out of the house for some exercise. This could be walking trails or strolling down the beach; whatever she enjoys doing as long as it gets her into the fresh air.
Spending more time with you is what all parents want in their senior years, so commit to doing just that.
Get Involved In Their New Lease on Life
Retirement frees up time to pursue other activities. Most people retire when they have enough money to live on, independent of their job income, so now is the time to do so.
Encourage your mother to:
- Join a community group
- Take up a sport
- Travel
- Volunteer
- Pick up a new hobby
Having something new to do will keep them present and help them learn new skills. It will also encourage them to do things they have always dreamed about but never had time for. If you can, join activities with them initially until they find other like-minded people to play with. This will give your mother purpose and pleasure as she retires.
