Middle Adulthood (Age 45-60)
Adult’s FIRST name: Claire Age: 54 Gender: Female
Marital Status: Married Children (number, ages): 3 children, 29, 25, 20
Others present during the interview: N/A
Time/place of interview: Claire’s residence, 12:00 pm
1. PHYSICAL CHANGES.
What changes have you noticed occurring in your body in comparison to your teens and twenties?
My ability to run fast has considerably reduced. I spent the better part of my teen years playing tennis. 6 a.m. would daily find me on the tennis court. I now strive to relive those days by strolling in the neighborhood right after I wake up. This routine relaxes me and lights up the rest of the day. I can still see properly as I used to when I was still in my twenties. I, however, wonder how I manage to become heavier with all the morning walks. I suspect it is the effects of menopause, which I got into not a long time ago.
Have you experienced changes in your physical strength in recent years?
As I said, I really liked sports and always endeavored to keep fit. As years went by, my frequency of playing in the field reduced, leading to a corresponding loss of strength. This was accompanied by pain in the joints and feeble legs. To counter this, I try as much as I can to take a walk every morning.
2. OCCUPATION AND LEISURE. Ask your adult about where they are in their work or career at present.
How long have you worked for and for how long do you plan to work?
I have three children, one of them pursuing his studies locally, while the other two are overseas. This gives me abundant time to do my work. I trained as a special needs teacher and that is what I have been doing for the last 23 years. I still have lots of years to it as I am quite far from retirement.
Do you think that your career now relates to your goals that you had in your teens and 20s?
After my undergraduate studies, I enrolled in a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology. I got employed right after graduating with the Master’s Degree. After some years of working, I did a Diploma in Child Psychology and my career started taking shape. However, family life soon became my priority, making me quit my job. It was the constant support from a close buddy that turned me around and landed me a job with the special children.
What are your future work/career goals that you would like to accomplish before retirement?
I usually follow the crowd. My job is the best that I could ever find. I have nothing particular...
I just aim at working with special children until I can no longer work.
What do you do for your leisure time?
When free, I normally read books while sipping tea. I can spend hours on end on a single book so that I benefit from it. Aside from that, I also have a passion for rock painting.
3. MIDLIFE CHILD ROLE.
How is your relationship with your parents?
I relate well with my dad, only that Alzheimer’s disease robbed him of good memory, making him forget me every now and then. But when I visit him he recognizes who I am and that satisfies my heart. I have made it a habit of going to see my parents frequently and chat with them for long. This keeps our bond stronger.
How is your relationship with your in-laws?
I had two inlaws but they were promoted to Glory some years...…our love for each other has kept us more close. Raising our children has been a collective effort between the two of us. So even when I had no job, I never lacked anything. If I were to choose again, I would choose the same man.
What are some of the problems they’ve encountered and what are some of the joys that they have had.
I remember when one of our property was auctioned when my husband failed to pay some debt. His business was by then performing very poorly and we had no other choice but to see our property go. My husband became somewhat withdrawn. Our endless chats were no more. The children also suffered from this economic low.
Regarding joys, my lastborn son invited us for a weekend cruise when he was admitted to Yale. He had longed for that moment and he put a lot of effort into it. The whole family was surprisingly available for that celebration.
6. MIDLIFE CRISIS.
Did you go through a midlife crisis?
Sure. It all started when all my kids left the house in pursuit of their academic and family dreams. Left alone, with no duty for them, I felt as if life was coming to an end. What was once a busy family life had all of a sudden turned to emptiness. My husband held my hand through this and I finally stabilized.
7. Describe your own thoughts and feelings while conducting the interview.
I particularly liked Claire’s composition. She seemed so satisfied with her life. Given that her three children no longer stayed at home, she had more time to focus on her job. After job, she engaged in a number of pastime activities. She tended to her vegetable garden with all the zeal. To me, this is a contented life full of…
