I’m happy to say my parents are a great example to me in this. My Parents divorced as a child, and I have two loving step parents. My dad is nearing 70 and still works as a chiropractor. He started cutting back office hours to save energy, but he took up teaching part time to give back to the next generation and stay sharp. My mom and step mom primarily were homemakers but both taught, my mom drama and dance and my step mom yoga. Now they volunteer for both my children’s schools as well as are vital parts of caregiving for our kids. My step dad just retired at 71 from computer science. Now he works part time as a running coach, and volunteers for the Red Cross and as a soccer coach for my daughter and football for my nephew. My kids (and my niece and nephews) lives are incredibly enriched by their grandparents presence in their lives, and also by seeing how “old people” are useful and important. I think if we want people in their 20’s and 30’s now to have children (which they aren’t so much) it’s up to my generation and older to set an example of supporting the family after you are done with parenting yourself. We need to show hey, we are willing to be your village, bringing kids into this world won’t be scary, it is a blessing when you have a community around you that is equally invested.
“Few things are worse to see in a rural area than the 50-year-old farmer whose 80-year-old father is still calling the shots.” Is the bane of effective succession on ranches and farms.
Just watched Joel Salatin's documentary on Angel Studio and he turned Polyface over to his son Daniel probably 10 or more years ago. He even says when he's home he checks in with Daniel to see what he's supposed to do for the day.
But if you take away from the 80 year old, in your example above, that usually kills 'em pretty quick. People need a purpose. And most people fail to plan ahead.
I retired in July, so I worked until 73 doing tech support for an ISP. I needed to be done with it. I have no interest in working with computers or telling folks how to troubleshoot their connection. I don't want to work at that pace. I want to spend time outside, growing things. It is hard to figure out what to do. Some of the things I'd planned to do, like knitting and spinning,are getting harder, I want to domas many overnight camping trips as I can with my teardrop because I don't know how long I'll be able to drive. Even farmers had light duties in the winter. It's the winter of my life. I deserve some light duty.
You do. You worked longer than most. What I think is bad is people who stop doing their duty altogether. They figure they have made their contribution to society and now they are owed some selfishness. It is a shame and a sin.
Well,they had new management and fired me for working from home. Then they asked me to come back a month later because things went to hell. Eventually was put back on as a supervisor. They would take me back now but I amso done with it. On my last day, a co worker unexpectantly thanked me and told me I'd helped him get through the really rough days. It was good work. But it is difficult to get past that structure that work gives you.
Your thoughts and ideas are appreciated. I am 67 and still working part time. I'd planned to work till 70. Recently lost my younger brother unexpectedly, just days after his 65th. He doesn't get to enjoy retirement. I'm finding that I am joining the ranks of people who want to enjoy life so plan to give my notice soon; this is completely unexpected and I am rolling with it. I enjoy working. What I strongly dislike is the politics and personalities that come with it. With fifty years in the workforce, I'm ready to retire. I can be useful in other ways.
It all depends on what you do for a living but I know people who retired only to come back as a consultant doing most of the same stuff on a contract basis but without the politics of being a statutory employee. If you really enjoy what you do. Otherwise if you need to find something to keep busy I expect you will do some things your brother never got to for him.
“Lord I am grateful that I am able to work! I need to be needed. So Lord accomplish your will through me. Teach me to see each task as sacred as worship. So shall I praise you Lord” My screen saver. Hubby and I in our 60’s still working, haven’t retired. We need purpose.
This is exactly what I’m looking to figure out right now. I keep trying to figure out something I can start manufacturing that this country needs and that I can start small and grow into. And I love the idea of FINR. Count me in!
The second highest median age in America? I wonder what it is about living free or dying that draws the older generation as opposed to younger people. One would think families would appreciate no sales tax or income tax, but maybe the property taxes scare them away.
It is not so much that it draws older people, but the ones who were born here get older, there are not a lot of people born here and that is a self reinforcing cycle. Northern New England is the three oldest states and are very rural which does not attract people in general. Which is one of the reasons I write in the first place.
I’m happy to say my parents are a great example to me in this. My Parents divorced as a child, and I have two loving step parents. My dad is nearing 70 and still works as a chiropractor. He started cutting back office hours to save energy, but he took up teaching part time to give back to the next generation and stay sharp. My mom and step mom primarily were homemakers but both taught, my mom drama and dance and my step mom yoga. Now they volunteer for both my children’s schools as well as are vital parts of caregiving for our kids. My step dad just retired at 71 from computer science. Now he works part time as a running coach, and volunteers for the Red Cross and as a soccer coach for my daughter and football for my nephew. My kids (and my niece and nephews) lives are incredibly enriched by their grandparents presence in their lives, and also by seeing how “old people” are useful and important. I think if we want people in their 20’s and 30’s now to have children (which they aren’t so much) it’s up to my generation and older to set an example of supporting the family after you are done with parenting yourself. We need to show hey, we are willing to be your village, bringing kids into this world won’t be scary, it is a blessing when you have a community around you that is equally invested.
Yes. Your family is doing it right.
Excellent.
Humans need two things. #1. To love and be loved #2. To be productive.
We cannot afford to write off so much age, experience, and usefulness. This addresses many problems at once.
“Few things are worse to see in a rural area than the 50-year-old farmer whose 80-year-old father is still calling the shots.” Is the bane of effective succession on ranches and farms.
You see so much of this on family farms in Iowa, whereas here in New England the kids left more likely than not.
Just watched Joel Salatin's documentary on Angel Studio and he turned Polyface over to his son Daniel probably 10 or more years ago. He even says when he's home he checks in with Daniel to see what he's supposed to do for the day.
But if you take away from the 80 year old, in your example above, that usually kills 'em pretty quick. People need a purpose. And most people fail to plan ahead.
I retired in July, so I worked until 73 doing tech support for an ISP. I needed to be done with it. I have no interest in working with computers or telling folks how to troubleshoot their connection. I don't want to work at that pace. I want to spend time outside, growing things. It is hard to figure out what to do. Some of the things I'd planned to do, like knitting and spinning,are getting harder, I want to domas many overnight camping trips as I can with my teardrop because I don't know how long I'll be able to drive. Even farmers had light duties in the winter. It's the winter of my life. I deserve some light duty.
You do. You worked longer than most. What I think is bad is people who stop doing their duty altogether. They figure they have made their contribution to society and now they are owed some selfishness. It is a shame and a sin.
Well,they had new management and fired me for working from home. Then they asked me to come back a month later because things went to hell. Eventually was put back on as a supervisor. They would take me back now but I amso done with it. On my last day, a co worker unexpectantly thanked me and told me I'd helped him get through the really rough days. It was good work. But it is difficult to get past that structure that work gives you.
Your thoughts and ideas are appreciated. I am 67 and still working part time. I'd planned to work till 70. Recently lost my younger brother unexpectedly, just days after his 65th. He doesn't get to enjoy retirement. I'm finding that I am joining the ranks of people who want to enjoy life so plan to give my notice soon; this is completely unexpected and I am rolling with it. I enjoy working. What I strongly dislike is the politics and personalities that come with it. With fifty years in the workforce, I'm ready to retire. I can be useful in other ways.
It all depends on what you do for a living but I know people who retired only to come back as a consultant doing most of the same stuff on a contract basis but without the politics of being a statutory employee. If you really enjoy what you do. Otherwise if you need to find something to keep busy I expect you will do some things your brother never got to for him.
“Lord I am grateful that I am able to work! I need to be needed. So Lord accomplish your will through me. Teach me to see each task as sacred as worship. So shall I praise you Lord” My screen saver. Hubby and I in our 60’s still working, haven’t retired. We need purpose.
God bless you, Dana.
He has!! People need to appreciate what God has given. It makes a difference in your life.
This is exactly what I’m looking to figure out right now. I keep trying to figure out something I can start manufacturing that this country needs and that I can start small and grow into. And I love the idea of FINR. Count me in!
Let me know when you find your niche. I am always looking for quality American made products.
👍
Amen, brother.
Let us not slow down anytime soon.
The second highest median age in America? I wonder what it is about living free or dying that draws the older generation as opposed to younger people. One would think families would appreciate no sales tax or income tax, but maybe the property taxes scare them away.
It is not so much that it draws older people, but the ones who were born here get older, there are not a lot of people born here and that is a self reinforcing cycle. Northern New England is the three oldest states and are very rural which does not attract people in general. Which is one of the reasons I write in the first place.
Better than the endless 'travel'
Just another domain of consumerism.