I was thinking today that there might be more than a few
similarities between preschoolers (of whom I’ve known a few) and
peri-menopausal women (of which I am one):
Sleep:
Preschoolers need a nighttime routine. The schedule must be followed strictly in order
to assure success. Lovey? Night light? Books? Hugs and Kisses? Check. Anything slightly
out of sequence could lead to crying, flailing, an insistence on just one more sip
of water, or crawling into bed with her now-cranky parents.
Peri-menopausal women take nothing in their sleep routine for granted. Cold
room? Complete Darkness? Sound machine? Significant
other an appropriate distance away so that zero body heat migrates to Peri’s
side of the bed? Last cup of coffee before 2pm? Check. Failure to follow this
routine could result in a nighttime trip to the bathroom to expel one
microscopic drop of pee and leave Peri up the rest of the night worrying about
college tuition, middle school oral sex rings, and the environment.
In both cases, if not enough sleep occurs, melt-down mode could
surface the next day, in which case preemptive naps or quiet time might be in
order. See Also: Eating at regular
intervals
Potty:
One has been potty trained for mere months, the other for
decades, but both a preschooler and Peri might find that it’s easy to get so caught
up in what they are doing that…uh-oh…the distance to the nearest bathroom might
as well be the length of the Mall of America. Note: Belts are the devil.
Comfort:
Preschoolers take their comfort seriously. No itchy tag shall remain
unbanished, and socks must somehow feel un-sock-like. Sometimes nothing other
than a ratty, fleece sweatshirt or a princess nightgown with rain boots feels
right, at home or in public.
Peri has spent decades following the trends, and while she
has skinny jeans, a maxi dress, and plenty of chevron in her closet, she also heeds
the siren song of yoga pants and “soft dressing” as much as her schedule will
allow. She may consider her bathrobe a fashion accessory, and aren’t those
pockets handy for her reading glasses? Peri’s quest for drop dead gorgeous
shoes is now married with a desire for comfort, and she may have a pair of flip
flops stuck in her purse, because who has time for sore feet anymore?
Other People’s
Opinions:
Preschoolers do not yet care what others think of them, and
they lack any sort of filter.
Peri has spent decades being diplomatic, and trying to
please others, but now she is beginning to no longer give a shit. Peri is being
herself, speaking her mind, and, where applicable, testing the waters of letting
her freak flag fly! And if preschoolers can wear super-hero capes out in
public, why should Peri leave hers at home?
Food:
While a preschooler’s limited palate is often described as
picky, Peri’s can be chalked up to knowing what she likes and sticking with it.
When she goes into a restaurant, she’s going to order her favorite dish,
because why mess with success? If this restaurant has the best chopped salad,
chopped salad it will be (again!) Preschooler will stick to the quesadilla and
fries, thank you very much.
Passions:
Any preschooler with a halfway decent passion will pin you
against the wall and tell you 1000 facts about My Little Pony or the Diplodocus
dinosaur. Even the bathroom is no escape from a preschooler’s fire-hose onslaught
of information. A preschooler will know every factoid and desire any accessory,
officially licensed tie-in product and game associated with her interest.
There’s no such thing as too much when it comes to Peri’s
passions, either. Whether it’s Cross-fit, essential oils, running, soy, or
meditation, she’ll be sure to fill you in on HOW. IT. WILL. CHANGE. YOUR. LIFE.
Peri is growing and learning, and she’ll
be sure to spread the gospel of her passion wherever she goes, even if that’s a
bathroom stall. And if her passion lends itself to numerous gadgets and accessories?
So be it.
Simple Pleasures:
Give a preschooler a box, a string, and a slug, and she’ll
be busy for an hour. Peri knows about simple pleasures as well. She has seen
the world and been on adventures, but to Peri there’s nothing better than the
little things like sunshine, chai, or
cuddling up with the remote before 10 pm.
Friends:
Preschoolers do not see color, socio-economic status or IQ,
but they do have amazing radars as to who is kind and would make a good friend.
They gravitate toward those people at the sand and water table.
Likewise, Peri has gotten to the point where she wants to be
with people who are genuine and who bring out the best in her. She’s finally
ready to leave the rest behind.
I can do it myself!:
Both preschoolers and Peri can be independent and self-assured,
diving with flourish and flair into
whatever lies ahead on a particular day. When a preschooler insists on doing
something herself, it will take twice as
long, and be done half as well, but it leaves her feeling proud.
Peri is at the height
of her career and productivity. She is highly capable, and every day she does
twice the things in half the time, and does them well.
But both a preschooler and Peri want someone else to swoop
in sometimes. A preschooler sometimes
needs to know she’s still your baby, as you wipe a smudge of her face, pour
bubbles into her bath, or wrap her up in a big terry towel. Peri is used to
doing all these things and more for other people, but she would love it if sometimes
someone would reach around her shoulders, tell her everything is going to be
okay, and just take care of her for a little while.
What do you think? Are there any more similarities?
Signed, Peri.
