ABOUT THE BOOK

What does a mother do when her youngest child leaves home and her perfectly ordered (well, almost) life is suddenly thrown off its tracks, leaving her to wonder if she will ever again find that comfortable rhythm, that sense of belonging?

After 27 years of motherhood, Rita Lussier’s youngest child heads to New York City and Rita drives home to what she thinks will be the calm after the storm only to find no comfort, nothing familiar. The parenting mission that had infused Rita’s days and nights with so much purpose has abruptly changed, and she finds herself re-evaluating her life. From rekindling her marriage and friendships, to kick starting her career, to making difficult choices about her house, finances and future–all the while adjusting to the ever-changing demands of children finding their way into adulthood and aging parents–Rita begins the long, difficult process of redefining herself and her next chapter.

And Now, Back to Me invites readers along as Rita recreates nearly every aspect of her life at a time when she thought she’d be kicking back to enjoy it. As a columnist for The Providence Journal, it was precisely these types of personal glimpses that endeared readers to her column, making it a popular feature of the newspaper for a dozen years. In her book, Rita shares her experiences with the issues that not only confront her at this midlife crossroads, but millions of parents as well.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rita Lussier is an award-winning journalist and writer whose column “For the Moment” was a popular feature of The Providence Journal for a dozen years. Her writing has also been featured on National Public Radio, in The Boston Globe, The New York Daily News, and many more. Rita enjoys coaching writers, conducting workshops and has worked as a publicist and editor. She has taught at both the University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College. She lives with her husband  in Jamestown, Rhode Island where she enjoys running, walking and time with family and friends.

TALKING POINTS

• What nobody tells you about the emotional and psychological impact of “empty nest syndrome”
• Rekindling your marriage in the second half of life
• Redefining your role as a parent: learning to support adult children without overstepping
• How friendships change and evolve once your children have left home and how to navigate new opportunities 
• Living in the sandwich generation: How to manage responsibilities for aging parents while still being a supportive parent to adult children
• Finding and building a new sense of community in midlife 
• How to keep your mental health and well-being strong during significant life transitions

• How to reinvest in your own life by prioritizing your health and physical wellness
• How to thrive in midlife, even after your children leave

TIMELY TIE-INS

January 

• New Year’s Day – 1
• Self-Love Month
• National Creativity Month

February

• National Marriage Week – 7-14
• Valentine’s Day – 14

March

• Women’s Month 

April 

• Stress Awareness Month
• National Couple Appreciation Month 

May 

• National Mental Health Awareness Month
• Older Americans Month
• Graduation
• Mother’s Day – 11