Breaking Point – We All Have One – What’s Yours?

By Linda Franklin 

 

Bad behaviour is often overlooked, or more likely tolerated, in any relationship, but everyone has a breaking point. A woman is likely to stand by her man through lots of harrowing experiences and then snap over something that is relatively less offensive. 

Women can put up with a lot but there is always the straw that breaks the camel’s back.

Anne Sinclair, the wife of former International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn, is reportedly considering divorce following claims linking him to a call-girl network in Northern France.  She stood by his side when he was accused of sexual assault, but maybe she’s finally at her breaking point.  Who knows?  I read this weekend they were out together celebrating their anniversary.   

Then there’s Demi Moore who filed for divorce from Ashton Kutcher.  She finally threw in the towel when Sara Leal came forward claiming she cavorted naked in a hot tub with Kutcher in September — on the weekend of their sixth wedding anniversary.

It’s amazing how long both men and women will put up with bad behaviour or extreme unhappiness before they walk away. It’s devastatingly painful to confront the truth that a marriage isn’t working, and sometimes it can be easier to stick with what we know, no matter how bad it is. People tend to need a catalyst. The interesting thing is that there is often no way of knowing what that will be until it happens. 

 

The Real Cougar Woman is a 5-carat diamond who knows the importance of taking care of her health, beauty, relationships, finances and spirituality. Linda Franklin says,”there is no stopping a woman who has a strong belief system, passion and a dream. All things are possible”. Linda’s book, Don’t Ever Call Me Ma’am helps women of all ages tap into their power and live life to the fullest.

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Cougar Cub Couples

by Dr. Fayr Barkley, Ph.D.
I can’t help but wonder if Ashton & Demi weren’t a Cougar/Cub couple if people would care so much or if they’d be getting as much attention? Will the media now make a broad statement that these relationships just don’t work?

In my 20+ years of researching this age difference and dating/marriage dynamic between younger men and older women, I have come to some interesting conclusions.

I have seen May/December marriages that only get stronger over time. The women and men both tell me “things just keep getting better.” I know now that there is a difference between a younger man who is simply an opportunist, and the younger man who is truly imprinted psychologically and sexually to an older woman and would not consider bonding with a woman is own age or younger.

Let’s take a look at Ashton and Demi. I don’t know them personally, but I do know Hollywood. I have lived in Beverly Hills over 23 years and truthfully, three dates there is considered a long term relationship. The fact that this couple has lasted as long as they have is to their credit.
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We can’t know what is in the minds and hearts of others, so we have no right to speculate on whether Ashton was truly in love with Demi or if he married her for career advancement and media attention. Maybe the marriage just ran its course based upon “Hollywood statistics.”
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It isn’t easy for anyone to hold together a marriage in that town. Just look at J Lo and Marc Anthony who lasted some 7 years. Who knows, maybe Demi married Ashton to give herself some media boost?

Perhaps, as with many couples in the entertainment industry, the coupling was mutually beneficial. Only they know the truth and frankly, as salacious as it is to speculate, it’s really none of our business.

What I can say about this is, I am sorry if their marriage is on the rocks. I am sorry for anyone who has to go through the rigors of divorce. Loss is never easy.
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It’s like I always say: You are either working on a marriage, or working on a divorce.
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The Real Cougar Woman is a 5-carat diamond who knows the importance of taking care of her health, beauty, relationships, finances and spirituality. Linda Franklin says,”there is no stopping a woman who has a strong belief system, passion and a dream. All things are possible”. Linda’s book, Don’t Ever Call Me Ma’am helps women of all ages tap into their power and live life to the fullest

Real Cougars Know Real Men Don’t Buy Girls

The founders of DNA, Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher, have enlisted the help of their friends and coworkers to lead this educational campaign. Linda Franklin and Zoe Kravitz, daughter of singer Lenny Kravitz and star of Californication, have pledged to the cause.

Now they are asking you to join the fight against human trafficking. Show that you are a Real Man or that you Prefer A Real Man by creating your own "Real Man" video starring YOU at facebook then share it with your friends. To learn more about the issue here's a link to the page Linda created - check it out.

Kim Parrish Out Of The Closet – Turning 40 & Loving It

September marks a monumental moment in my life, I’m turning 40!  While some women stop the clock at 39, I’m leaping into my 40’s with excitement.  Why not?  Look how much fun my role models are having in their 40’s.  From Demi to Halle, Sarah Jessica to Nicole, women are proving they can still be stylish and sexy long after the birthday candles are blown out. 

Of course, with all great style icons comes a closet filled with the appropriate fashions.  With this in mind,  I set out to purge my closet of those “skeletons of fashions-past”  and to refocus my newly claimed sexy and sophisticated look. 

The first thought as I enter my walk-in closet is a feeling of liberation.  I now understand that “dressing for my forties” has nothing to do with dressing for my age and everything to do with taking the knowledge I’ve gained over the past 40 years and applying it back to my wardrobe.

Aging – Women’s Biggest Fear

The aging demons are no longer just haunting women over 40. I am finding that more and more women in their 20's and 30's are equally as worried about aging.  And, when you really think about it, it's understandable.  We are constantly bombarded with the media's obsession with flawless youth and very few can measure up to the airbrushed beauties we see on magazine covers. 

How exactly are you supposed to look at any particular age?  I don't know about you but I am so tired of hearing back-handed compliments. It doesn't matter how old you are, people say,"you look  good for your age"?  How are we supposed to interpret that?   

Last week Demi Moore who just happens to be 47, but that doesn't matter, said she is finally happy with her body.  Isn't that sad?  Why hasn't this gorgeous woman, who has always been a knockout, loved the way she looks throughout the years?

It seems the #1 fear of aging is believing that we will lose our sexiness.  That we will be less attractive to men.  We have been programmed to believe that the male population only loves young women. I am happy to say the Real Cougars have blown that belief sky high.  Women in their 40 & 50's are attracting younger men by the truckload these days. 

We all know this – aging is inevitable  but – how you age is always your choice.  Choose wisely.

Cougar Women Are Marrying Younger Men

Filmmaker and artist Sam Taylor-Wood is pregnant and her hubbie is 23 years younger.Hollywood A-lister Demi Moore married Ashton Kutcher, despite the 16-year age gap, and actress Amanda Redman has just announced that she's engaged to her beau,who is 14 years her junior.  So I ask you, is this just a trend or are these much-talked-about relationships here to stay?

If you talk to almost any woman married to a much younger man they can't believe it themselves. It was never their intention to be a trend-follower or a so-called aging seductress, but nevertheless they fell in love and before too long were marching down the aisle.

I'm not saying that May-December relationships don't have their challenges because they definitely do.  Even though you may be happy as two clams within the confines of your home, you are subject to a lot of flack from the outside world.  In fact, friends and family will think you have completely lost your marbles.  They probably have the same reservations that you did at first.  But, just like you, over time they will come around when they see how happy you are.  But, just in case they don't, it's important to remember that they are either terribly jealous or really don't care as much as you thought they did.    

It's not unusual for Cougar Women to be more self conscious about their relationships than their spouse.  Females are conditioned from birth to worry about what other people think.  And, more importantly we worry how we are going to hold up over time.  Nobody has a crystal ball and nobody knows what's going to happen ten or twenty years from now.  My advice - just enjoy each day because bottom line that's all any of us have.

Cougar Roles Are The Cat’s Meow

Tovah Feldshu is an award winning actress who has delighted Broadway audiences for decades.  She has played many iconic women including Golda Meir and Katharine Hepburn. She also delighted audiences starring in The Vagina Monogues.  But now she wants to play a cougar.

She says, "as I get older, I absolutely want to do more film and television. It’s simply easier on the body. You think you’re 30, and then you look at yourself in the mirror".  She runs four miles a day and also swims 40 laps, so she's in great physical shape,  But Tovah, like the rest of us, has noticed that her breasts aren't where they used to be.  We all know what that feels like don't we?  

Recently Feldshu has been offered a play about another icon Greta Garbo.  All that is great but to play a cougar would be fabulous.

Tovah is 5 foot-2 inches, weighs 111 pounds, and wants to do glam roles. And, who is more glam than a Real Cougar?  She's says, "I Iove my husband to pieces and he’s my life partner, but Demi Moore, she has it made, baby. That age span between her and her husband, that’s just wild. God bless ’em both". 

I couldn't agree more.  Would any of us send Ashton Kutcher packing? I don't think so.

Cougars Bridging The Generation Gap

Have you noticed that as you get older you are starting to look more like your mother and your daughter is beginning to look more like you?  Take a look at these photos and you will see how striking these resemblances can be.  

Mothers today are taking much better care of themselves so they are staying lovely for decades longer than ever before. Today let’s celebrate the progress we have made.  

Cougars – we have worked hard and have earned our stripes. We rock!