Does it feel like fall sneaks up on us every year? One day you're complaining about the heat, and the next you're digging through closets looking for sweatshirts and wondering where September went.
But here's what I love about fall - it feels like a fresh start. New routines, cozy vibes, and suddenly everything feels possible again.
Speaking of possibilities, here are some fun fall activities to add to your family's rhythm:
🍂 Apple picking (followed by way too much apple pie and apple crisp)
🎃 Pumpkin decorating instead of carving - less mess, lasts longer, and little hands can actually help
🌽 Corn mazes that will definitely take longer than you think and someone will definitely complain about being tired... but they are so fun!
🍁 Nature scavenger hunts - make a list of fall treasures to find on your walks
🔥 Backyard fire pit nights with s'mores and stories (or just sitting in peaceful silence - also magical)
📚 Cozy reading nights with hot chocolate
The goal isn't to do ALL the fall things. Pick one or two that make your family light up and savor them.
Now, about YOUR fall plans...
If you've been thinking about making this season about more than just managing everyone else's schedules - if you've been considering the Parent Coaching Certification but thinking you missed your chance - it's not too late!

Raise your hand if you've said "Did you brush your teeth?" seventeen times before 8 AM this week. 
Yeah, me too. And honestly? I was getting tired of hearing my own voice.
Here's what I discovered: Visual checklists are parenting magic.
Not because they make your kids perfect little robots, but because they do something even better - they remove YOUR voice from the equation.

Ah, summer. The season of sunshine, popsicles, sprinklers, and freedom. No early wake-ups for school. No lunch-packing marathons. Just wide-open days to enjoy our kids, make memories, and soak in all the magic. But if we’re being honest… that’s not the full picture, is it?

​Behind the smiling social media posts and sunny family outings, many parents feel something else creeping in: anxiety, overwhelm, and dread. Here’s what summer really looks like for many caregivers:

• Constant sibling arguments that sound like a broken record
• Endless snack requests (didn’t they just eat?)
• A complete lack of routine that leads to dysregulated kids
• Screen time guilt, activity planning pressure, and sensory overload
• The crushing weight of being “fun parent,” referee, chef, chauffeur, and lifeguard—all at once
  
  

Sound familiar? If you're already feeling anxious about the unstructured days ahead—or guilty for not looking forward to every moment—please hear this: You are not alone. You are not doing anything wrong. And you are not a bad parent for feeling this way.

Summer removes structure, and for many kids (and adults), that predictability is what helps regulate emotions and behavior. So yes—challenging behaviors often increase. Yes—siblings get on each other’s nerves. Yes—you will hear the words “I’m bored” 300 times in a single afternoon.

And while summer can be fun, it can also be exhausting. Especially when you're carrying the emotional load for everyone in your home. So what can you do?

Take a Pause—On Purpose
You don’t need a weekend away or a big “self-care” plan. Start small. Take one mindful pause each day. Ask yourself: What is one thing I can do today that fills my cup, even a little bit?
​

• Sit on the porch with your coffee before anyone wakes up
• Take 10 deep breaths in the bathroom with the door locked
• Say yes to help when it’s offered—or ask for it
• Put on music that lifts your moodText a friend who gets it
• Lower the bar on what “good parenting” looks like today
  
  

You can’t pour from an empty cup. And summer has a way of draining it fast.
​
Give Yourself Permission…

• To say no to extra playdates
• To prioritize connection over productivity
• To let go of perfect routines
• To not be the entertainer, every single minute
• To create tiny pockets of joy that are just for you
  
  

Summer doesn’t have to be perfect. It just needs to be real. So if your days look messy, loud, or full of emotion—that’s okay. You’re showing up. You’re loving your kids. You’re doing your best. That’s more than enough.

​Let’s get real for a second: parenting is hard. There’s no script, no step-by-step manual—just you, your kid(s), and the beautiful chaos of figuring it all out. If you’ve ever walked away from a hard parenting moment thinking “That didn’t go how I hoped…”, you’re not alone. The truth is, we all hit bumps. And those "mistakes" are actually invitations to grow. Today, I’m sharing three common parenting pitfalls I see all the time (and have totally done myself) — plus some gentle ways to shift course without guilt or shame.

1. Over-Explaining or Over-Correcting
When our kids are having a hard time, most of us think that talking to them or lecturing them will help the behaviors change; however, the opposite is true. When our child’s “emotional brain” takes over (think Fight, Flight or Freeze), their “thinking brain” goes offline. Dr. Dan Seigel calls this “Flipping Your Lid”. Because our child can’t access the thinking part of their brains they are unable to comprehend what we are trying to lecture them on. Instead, use few words - “No hurts.” “Be gentle and kind.” “Use your words.” You can then revisit the situation calmly, later, when their thinking brain is back online.

2. Forgetting to Repair
We all have moments we wish we could redo. What matters most is repair. A sincere “I’m sorry for how I spoke earlier—I was frustrated, and I want to do better,” is powerful. It models humility and shows them that relationships are resilient.
​
3. Focusing Only on Behavior, Not the Need
Underneath most “bad” behavior is an unmet need—connection, rest, attention, food, autonomy. Before reacting, ask yourself: What’s really going on here? All behavior is communication, and when we meet the need, the behavior often shifts on its own. It takes a mindshift to realize that meeting our kids’ needs is not the same as rewarding bad behavior.

You don’t need to be a perfect parent. You just need to be a growing one. Every moment you choose curiosity over control, connection over correction—you’re building something strong and lasting. Keep going. You’re doing beautiful, important work.