Guest Post: From a Man, Finally, and a Chance to Win a Sleigh Ride!

I have begged and pleaded and tried my very best to convince men friends to write a guest post for Friend for the Ride. Some have turned me down with a smile, some with a quite serious shake of the head.  And others have kindly agreed to write a guest post, but I have been waiting, gentlemen.

Up until now!  Without any cajoling, I found in my inbox the other day, a guest post from a man of men, Santa Claus! Santa writes:

Good Friend for the Ride Readers:  As most of you know, I don’t just watch the kids. I watch all of you, especially you menopausal ladies.  Mrs. Claus, who is long past the roller coaster ride, had a tough time. I did all I could to help out my North Pole Missus.

I want to help you,too, being the giving soul that I am. Here are five tips for menopause, just in time for the holidays, from a man’s point of view:

1. Speak up! I tell my elves not to suffer in silence. If things aren’t going so well  in the toy workshop, let me know. The same goes for partners. I can’t read the minds of elves or my wife. Let the man in your life know what you are thinking and feeling, especially when menopause makes you as gloomy as the Grinch.

2. We men aren’t nearly as concerned as you are about your wrinkles or sags or age spots. I’m glad to put some makeup and potions under the tree for you, but you really don’t need them. To a man, you’re lovely as you are!

3. Don’t worry so much about your weight over the holidays. My stomach looks like a bowl full of jelly. Most men develop at least a small pooch themselves. Live and enjoy! Tis the season!

4. As far as the bedroom goes,  Mrs. Claus and I figured out that it’s best to make dates. In fact, if you promise you won’t tell the teenagers, I’ll let you in on a secret: Our favorite rendezvous of the year is on Christmas Eve, when I return to our cozy cottage in the frozen north after my jaunt around the world.

5. When menopause gets you down, sometimes meaningful volunteer work can take your mind off your own struggles. And so an announcement:

This year, I’m inviting two ladies to join me on the sleigh (with complete approval from Mrs. Claus). Share the joy as we deliver presents across the earth. Leave me a comment saying you’d like to win. I promise you, this will be QUITE the roller coaster ride.

Me again: Thanks Santa, for the great post and for inviting two of my readers to take a sleigh ride of sleigh rides. Good luck to all of you who enter!

Congratulations to Susan and Joy, who won a copy of Janet Fox’s Sirens.  And congrats,too, to Judith and Lucy for winning the Bring It Up giveaway.  More giveaways in the works (lots of them) for 2013!