Baby boomers are known for being trendsetters. We moved families into the suburbs; began the peace trend of the 60s due to the Viet Nam War; entered college in droves; more women climbed the corporate ladder than ever before; gave birth to less children; bought mini-vans and station wagons to lug our kids around; began the exercise craze – plus many other trends that have staying power. Working with baby boomer women on a daily basis, allows me to have my finger on the pulse of this spirited generation during this life stage. This past year, I\’ve noticed at least ten trends that pertain... Read More

As Founder of the National Association of Baby Boomer Women, www.NABBW.com and www.BoomerWomenSpeak.com I\’ve learned that baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964 are interested in writing. There are many reasons for this midlife call such as: writing their own story that\’s been buried too long writing to heal self and others the need to connect blogging a desire to make a difference the desire to heal the world a need to educate others about a passionate topic having been told they weren\’t a good enough writer when younger, or shouldn\’t write as a profession because... Read More

Thirty-eight million baby boomer women are turning ages 45-63 in 2009. As little girls we lived the simpler life. Moms were at home caring for their children and husbands; dads worked nine to five and dinner was on the table at six. We jumped rope, played hop-scotch, married off Barbie and Ken, and played with out Hula Hoops and Slinkies. We practiced duck and cover drills and wore silver bracelets with our POW\’s name and birth date. We came of age during the women\’s movement and civil rights era. We protested Viet Nam while losing boyfriends in battle. Some of us burned our bras... Read More

According to the Pew Internet & American Life Project, one-third of adult Internet users have a profile on a social networking Web site. A recent study by Accenture also shows baby boomers onboard with a 59% increase in using social networking sites. There’s a big misconception that baby boomers might not be tech savvy enough to keep the pace with the younger generations, but as these reports share, this isn’t the case. You have to give the baby boomer generation more credit than that. We’re trendsetters, remember? And we aren’t going to let a new trend get by us. No way. That might... Read More

When we think of social networking, we often picture teenage kids gabbing in online chat rooms, young singles seeking other young singles, or first-time mothers sharing advice with other moms. But the fastest growing group of folks turning to the Internet to connect, share information, and support each other is baby boomer women. And the talk taking place online for this 44-62 age group goes beyond, “Hey, are you feeling those hot flashes?” Baby boomer women are talking finance, retirement, ways to re-invent themselves, and how to stay healthy for their children and grandchildren. Several... Read More

The economy has everyone pinching pennies, and in some cases, that goes double for baby boomers with plans on entering retirement. A 2008 survey from the AARP, an advocacy group for older Americans, reported that one in five middle-aged workers stopped contributing to their retirement plans in the last year, and one in three has considered delaying retirement. With your savings hanging in the balance and an uncertain retirement ahead, your first inclination might be cut back in the extras – including canceling or forgoing renewal on your gym membership. While it’s no question that now is difficult... Read More

There are 38 million baby boomer women turning ages 44-62. The sheer number of us is changing the image of midlife women like no generation before. Middle age finds us pondering how we\’ve lived the first half of our lives and what to do about the second. Some of us are in the grips of a midlife crisis, going through menopause or even considering cosmetic makeovers. Many are caring for elderly parents while parenting our children and working full time. But don\’t let that concern you. Boomer women are reinventing themselves at midlife by choosing to follow their passions. As little... Read More

“Honey? It’s Dad. I’m at the emergency room with Mother and the doctor wants her to see an oncologist before she leaves. They think she has cancer.” I had no clue how Dad’s words would change my life. I was absorbed in family life as a stay-at-home mom. Volunteering at schools, church, and neighborhood defined me. Mom’s news made me drop every bit of it except one project so I could help care for her. I’ll never regret it. The diagnosis was cancer. She chose treatments and they sucked the life right out of her. She survived seven heart wrenching months. The Lord took her Irish soul... Read More

Baby boomer women know the importance of girlfriends. Whether it’s time spent on the phone, hours sitting in a restaurant going over the latest details of young adult children, a break-up, work issues, or grandchildren; weekends spent combing neat shops, eating luscious foods, and living life to the fullest – boomer women receive support and embrace good times with their best buds. According to a study done by AAA and Aspire, they found that 24 percent of American women have taken a getaway in the past three years and 39 percent plan on taking one in the next three years. Girlfriend getaways... Read More

Barbara Friesner, Eldercare Expert for the National Association of Baby Boomer Women and Founder of www.AgeWiseLiving.com, reports that, according to the 2006 MetLife Mature Market Institute® survey, the majority of family caregivers (79%) are providing care to someone over the age of 50. In addition, nearly 60% of those caring for an adult over the age of 50 are working; the majority of those work full-time. Care giving can become an emotional and physical drain if we allow it. At one time, women stayed home and cared for all family members, but that’s certainly no longer the case. I must... Read More