When will it happen?

So my menses is on for 2 days and it has been very light, I guess it's just spotting cause I could get away with a panty liner. Now I would have light my 1st day and heavy for 2 days then lessen for 1-2 days. Usually a total of 4 or 5 days every month. So I was talking to my eldest child and she asks if I think it may be perimenopause. And I just laughed and asked why she would think. Well she claims I will be hot when they aren't or cold when they're hot. But if I remember mother going throught this her hot flashes would have her dripping water. So I'm like nah I don't think so. So I'm wondering from you ladies if you can give me your experiences of when/how it started. I will be 42 in September.