Dear Senior citizens, when you were younger did you go through a midlife crisis during your middle age years??

Question

My Mother is going thru one, she's in her late 30's, naturally young looking and all but wears leopard print shirts at times, listens to rock, likes to take belly dance lessons, acts like a child and is free-spirited.
What if she's like this for 10 years?
I think she was always like that.
And younger men are almost always attracted to her.
would it be silly if she was like this 15 -20 yrs. from now?
DID you ever go thru some midlife crisis or midlife transition?
How did you get over it?
thank you!!

Answer 1

Good for her. Life is much to short to worry about rules of how you should act at a certain age.

Answer 2

I don't think I went through any midlife crisis. I've been too busy to do that. I've worked with kids since 1988 (I was 42) and that sure keeps me young! I'm 60 now and work just as hard, if not harder at times, and enjoy it. I spent the past week working along side some mid-20's to early 30's men as a work leader (pays a bit less than a supervisor) and I can't stand around with my hands in my pockets so I helped them. We stripped part of a Navy medical center of furniture and equipment and installed some equipment. I was majorly tired at the end of the day, but I felt good about it.
Since I've been a biker since 1971 (age 25), it can hardly be called a midlife crisis for me to be a biker. I'm on my 8th bike since then.

Answer 3

Hi Harold,

Your mom is not old enough yet to have a mid life crisis. I have to wonder if this is a new behavior that has you upset. Are you afraid she will find a new man in her life and leave you or worse make you live with him too?

Music , no matter what the gender is still just music to be enjoyed. The dancing is great exercise and there is nothing at all wrong with wearing animal print clothing.

I'm sorry you are unhappy. If her actions are more extreme than what you mention then you might want to have a talk with her about how you feel.

From what I am reading this is fairly normal and you should stop worrying.

Good Luck

Answer 4

She is not in her middle age; in 30's she is still very young. Just let her have a good time just the way she wants to; nothing wrong with that. When people get into their 50's then you can talk about midlife crisis. Right now stop worrying and just enjoy the child she has inside her and be a part of it if you can; you will appreciate her even more.

Answer 5

not touching this with a 10 foot pole! Has your mother always wanted to be in the limelight, or is this new behavior? From her age , I assume you are in your teens. Her manner of dress, her belly dancing, her liking rock music is normal behavior..what is the problem here. ??? Does she behave provocatively around your friends? IF so, there is a problem. If not, you have a problem. 39 is NOT midlife crisis time in any stretch of the imagination. Acts like a child? Does this mean that she doesn't act in a manner that YOU think she should act in, or does she actually 'act like a child" (whatever that may mean.) I somehow suspect that you are a girl...and are either embarrassed by your mother or.....worse, jealous of her. Your line of question does not sound like that of concern, but rather jealousy. And, it is NOT 15-20 years from now..it is NOW..why in the world are you worried about the future? IF you are a son, you may have some serious image problems of what 39 year old women are supposed to act like. 39 year old women do NOT dress in nun's shoes, they do NOT wear house dresses that are bags. They ARE young! IF your father has no problems, why do you? I am more than puzzled by this question(s)...I am,in fact, leary of them. Peace, Goldwing

Answer 6

OMG! You're mom is a young, vibrant woman in her 30's, for crying out loud. I certainly WOULD NOT consider that middle age by a long shot.
Somewhere in the forties is generally when you begin to get your head on straight and think a little clearer, figure yourself out, feel empowered and ready to stand up and do things differently, make changes in your life, your marriage, your work., etc., questioning who you are and what you want.

When I hit 40 I realized I cared more about what I thought than about what anybody thought of me. I think that's called autonomy. Anyway, living life more fully is not a CRISIS for the person who is awakening to how fun life can be.

In my book, a crisis is when a person becomes really lost in their lives and their old identities, and they close in and can't find a way through.
I hope your Mom rocks her leotarded heart out. Go Mom!

Answer 7

Your mother is too young for a midlife crisis! It shouldn't happen until she's at least 45! BTW, I'm 67+ and sometimes I feel like I'm 80 or 90 physically, but I'm often 30-40, mentally!

Answer 8

First of all, I am not quite a senior citizen yet, although you would probably consider me to be one. Your mother is too young to be having a midlife crisis. She is simply a free spirit embracing life. I am 55 and I went thru my transition in my late 40s, changed careers, went back to school, found my spiritual path, revamped my thinking and am enjoying a wonderful life. Younger men are attracted to me too, and I always ask them why. I'm older, I'm attractive but not thin, I don't hide my age or my intellect, and I'm married - happily. I am told they are attracted to me because I have a joy for life, a sensuality that is obvious to them because it is natural and unapparent to me, and because I have a quiet self-confidence and wisdom. (I don't want to sound like a jerk- this is just what I have been told). Anyway, it sounds like your mom is a wonderful and happier than average person who is at peace with who she is. she has nothing to get over, but you do! Let your mom be herself. You are blessed to have a mother like this. I once told me kids that I hoped I never got as old as they were. I was having a water fight in the front yard on a hot day, fully dressed. They were looking at me as if I had lost my mind. I was laughing, dripping, and cooled off. They were hot, bored, embarassed and dry...lol

Answer 9

On reflection, I do not think that I ever underwent one. I can only try to empathize and understand with the situation. I have also seen quite a few who underwent. Perhaps that has to do with self-image and inner-peace.

May be when one is desperately trying to be someone other than what one really is, this crisis occurs. Perhaps, this is not necessarily limited to midlife. I have come across who wish to seem anything but what they currently are. If you observe children, you will find quite a few of them will try to act like an adult or elderly person; while many old people try to act young.

I think it has just got to do with inner-peace and inner comfort.

Answer 10

Oh Boy! I'm 55 and still listening and dancing to rock and roll (usually at home for exercise). My 21 year old says I'm fun! I never liked leopard print but most of my girlfriends my age are still crazy about them. I didn't get wrinkles until I was 52 and still have younger men asking me out. Almost everyone I know that is my age still feels like a teenager, that is if life hasn't beaten them down. My son's favorite saying is "Mom, you are crazy and everyone knows that, but, they love you anyway!" The thing that my son has had problems with is his friends tell him that I am hot and it's hard for him and it should be....no son wants to think of his mom in that way. What do I think of myself? I think I'm an old woman that has moments of energy and gravity has begun to affect me. Your Mom sound like she is full of energy and should be if she is in good health. Some young men prefer the older women....most of my friends prefer the younger men....but, I prefer the older man. I hope this gives you a little bit of insight or you received answers that did.

My 76 year old step Dad still thinks like a teenager.

Answer 11

i'm only 26, but i've noticed that there is also a quarter life crisis at 25 when people start to reevaluate where they are in life and where they thought they would be. a lot of people start going back to school or getting married around this age for that reason. at least that has been the experience in my peer group. i've also noticed that people who were already married start to consider affairs around this age because they want to try the single, sexy lifestyle that most 25 yr olds are living.