Back to You (now that the kids are back in school)

We all look forward to Summer: longer days, endless sunshine, walks to the park, and weekends at the cottage. Yet, despite the fun, July & August are usually nonstop months, filled to the brim with special activities to help occupy the kids. We may be saying goodbye to bathing suits and frozen treats, but September calls the kids back to school, which means it’s time for Mama to breathe a sigh of relief--Ahhhh.

Fall is a lovely time to slow down and press the “reset button” on your family routines and pastimes, because the truth is, the Summer months leave many Mamas feeling worn out! So take solace in the fact that for the next ten months all you need to do is pack the kid’s lunches and get them on the school bus. As the leaves are changing from green to gold, it’s time for you to return to your self-care and wellbeing. Here are five ways you can reclaim some well-deserved R&R this season.

Rethink Your Skincare
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Soon the weather will be changing from warm to cold, humid to dry, which means your skin may need a new routine to stay healthy and well protected. It’s common for skin to feel dull, dry, and itchy as we say farewell to Summer, and although no one wants to welcome winter too early, it’s wise to be prepared with a soothing skincare routine that will have you ready to face what Mother Nature has in store. More than ever before you’ll find plenty of naturally derived skincare options that are kind to the environment as well as your skin. Look for sustainably harvested, plant-based, oil cleansers and moisturizers for the most luxurious defense against Fall/Winter’s cool climate.

Read an Entire Book
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Let’s be honest: if you have kids at home, it may have been a while since you actually read an entire book (we’re talking “front-to-back, no skimming, you can still remember what happened in Chapter 1” kind of reading). It’s time to pull on your reading socks and get lost in a good book Mama! If you’re unsure what to pick up, ask a few colleagues or friends that share your taste; sometimes the best way to choose a book is through recommendation. You might even take your literary adventure to the next level by joining a book club!

Bake for the Season

Pumpkins are abundant this time of year, and they’re good for more than just spice lattes. There’s nothing like the perfect pumpkin or a basket of fresh apples to inspire a Fall-worthy bake-off! Not only will your home smell like cinnamon, but you can also send the kids to school with your tasty creations; pumpkin spice muffins, apple crisp, cranberry orange scones, you name it! If ever there was a time to satisfy your inner Martha, the time is now. Spend 10-15 minutes perusing Pinterest and you’ll have a bucket list of recipes to keep you snacking until the New Year.

Fall Clean Your Home

Who says a good clean sweep of the home is only fit for Spring? As you bring out the wooly sweaters and blankets, and store away the fins and goggles, spend some time deep cleaning—goodness knows there’s likely sand in every corner after several weekends at the beach! If the thought of a top-to-bottom tidy has you feeling overwhelmed, consider tackling one area of the house at a time. The family entrance (or mud room) is a great place to start now that sunhats and flip-flops can be stored until next year.

Learn Something New

Back-to-School isn’t only for your kids! If you find yourself with a little free time and an appetite for learning, why not pick up a new skill? Are you curious about pottery? Have you always wanted to play the piano? It’s never too late to learn something new and your options aren’t limited to a classroom (YouTube is filled with handy tutorials on almost everything). Not only will you have something fun to add to dinnertime conversation with your family, but you’ll also be inspiring your kids to continue their pursuit for knowledge and creativity, long after their school days are over.
 
The Summer may be your family’s chance to let loose, soak up the sun, and build memories that last a lifetime, but there’s no denying that Back-to-School can be a sweet relief to parents everywhere! As you invite more structure and routine into your home this Fall, make sure to build in lots of self-care for yourself. Make your home a cozy sanctuary for the colder months ahead and remember to treat your mind, body, and spirit with some extra TLC.

​What are some of things you're doing now that the kiddos are back in school?