What should baby boomers know?
All baby boomers should know the value of physical exercise and mental health techniques such as yoga and meditation.They should know to avoid narcotics and reduce their alcohol intake to the minimum, or better, go teetotal.They should know how to use social media so as to keep in touch with family and friends but also how not to allow it to dominate one’s life.Baby boomers should try and maintain not just a physically active life, but also a mentally active one - part time work of some description may well benefit many.I also strongly advice baby boomers over the age of 70 to be in their final big relationship and not to succumb to the temptation to reckon the relationship grass is greener elsewhere. For men, this means not dumping the frumpy wife for a 25 year old bimbo. For the women, this means not dumping the frumpy husband for 25 year old toy boy.As for adventure, the world is full of opportunities. If you haven’t travelled much in the past, this is a good time to do it. Avoid the holiday packages, over-crowded airports, and crap hotels. At our age we can be more independent - and selective.As for material prosperity, if you haven’t acquired the necessary funds by now, then sorry, it is probably too late to do so. In which case, live within your means.Finally, make peace with your God. She/he is closer than you think.
What are some reasons most baby boomers spoiled their own kids, when they will tell you they were disciplined harshly by their own parents? Why the dramatic change in parenting styles in just one generation?
I think the answer to this is complicated, but I'll give it a shot.The way our society values children has changed. In the early 1900’s, we were a much more rural, agricultural society. Children often worked on their family's farms, and were expected to “earn their keep.” They were an important part of the workforce, so more was expected of them and discipline was harsher.As more people began moving to cities and working in factories or offices, children also began working outside of the home, more often. The often dangerous and exploitative nature of these jobs created a backlash against the use of children in the workplace and child labor laws were passed. Soon, children weren't seen as financial assets. They took on a different role. Rather than helping to support the family, a child's role was now to learn and grow into happy, functioning adults. Parenting became less about practicality/profit and more about nurturing. Thus, less harsh discipline. Children were no longer seen as little adults.Medical progress also contributed to the changing value of children. Before penicillin, vaccines, and other medical advances, children often died in imfancy or soon after. It might sound harsh, but parents may simply have gotten less emotionally attached when it was more likely that their child wouldn't survive to adulthood.Probably many other factors also contributed to the change in the way we see and value our children. Basically, discipline became less severe when we stopped seeing children as potential earners who may not survive long, and began to see them as emotionally important members of our families, in need of our care.
What are the top 3 health challenges in the life of someone from the baby boomer generation that they need help with?
Some of the most common ones are obesity or just being overweight, which causes other problems such as high blood pressure, fatty liver, asthma and arthritis (mostly due to inactivity). Other problems resulting from too much fat are heart problems and atherosclerosis, blood clots and various coronary and artery diseases. The number one disease seems to be diabetes, according to the article below.Other issues are increased incidence of cancer, osteoporosis, arthritis and in some cases, the need for joint replacement,development of hereditary illnesses such as Parkinson’s, MS and heart problems unrelated to high cholesterol, such as hereditary problems with heart valves. There is a huge rise in the incidence of Atrial fibrillation (“AFib”), the slowing of function of the atrial valve, that can produce blood clots, as well as fatigue and the need for blood thinners.Also, problems with vision are common, as well as memory, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.There are also problems with mental health, such as depression, caused by physical illness and limitations in lifestyle and mobility, feelings of loneliness when children leave home and friends are ill or dead. Isolation is a problem for those who are used to socializing, but not as much for loners or those who were already anti-social.Another problem that is not usually discussed is the prejudice against those who are older. Many young people see their elders as inept, technologically impaired because they may have trouble with smart phones or computers and they assume that elders are unaware of current trends in culture, such as music. To their credit, some young people find that aging Boomers are often a great source for great music; Boomer parents and their children often share musical tastes and both enjoy discovering “new” musical styles and acts.For Boomers who were activists, there may also be a sense that all their protesting and activism was useless, given the current state of their country and it’s so-called leadership, the attacks by the government on the poor, on minorities and women. Also, those who have kept up their political activity may just be worn out after decades of protest.The ones who seem to thrive in spite of all this are those with close family ties and especially extended families who get along and support each other.Top 10 Health Concerns of Baby Boomers - Scripps Health