Settling Into the Routines and Rhythms of Fall
Vol. 1, No. 29
In partnership with
You’re reading Modern Motherhood Musings, a weekly newsletter written from one mom to another. Each week I share an honest reflection on motherhood, and a collection of things bringing me joy. I’m passionate about community, and I hope that by sharing our stories, we all feel a little less alone. Disclosure: Some links in this newsletter are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!
📝 This week’s musing…
If you're feeling a wave of emotions as summer comes to a close and we start to transition into the routines and rhythms of fall, you're not alone. This time of year can be a bittersweet reminder of how quickly time passes, especially for working moms.
For many of us, the return to school brings a sense of relief—a little more structure and a bit of extra help. But with that relief often comes a sense of loss too.
I see this reflected in the lives of so many of my friends right now. Some are sending their children off to kindergarten for the first time, while others are returning to work after maternity leave.
We're preparing for our youngest to start a Mother's Day out program, marking the end of our season of having babies at home full-time. It's a milestone that brings both relief and a little heartache.
Despite what social media might suggest, summer can be hard, especially for working parents. There's this unspoken pressure to create magical, memory-filled experiences for our kids, but the reality is that life doesn't stop just because it's summer. We still have jobs, bills, and responsibilities that don't take a break.
As we transition into fall, I find myself wondering if I made the most of this summer. Did I do enough with the time we had? But isn't that just what we do as moms? We carry around the "if only"—if only I didn't have to work so much, if only we had gone on that vacation, and if only I had bought them that one thing.
If I'm honest with myself, there's nothing I could have done differently. We visited both sets of grandparents, enjoyed slow mornings eating croissants and watching the Olympics, and my oldest took swim lessons. Sure, our summer had its challenges—family illnesses, job transitions, and even a hurricane—but it also had moments of magic woven into the fabric of everyday life.
Parenthood is full of these moments of duality—heartbreak and joy existing side by side. We celebrate the end of diapers but miss the newborn cuddles. We're relieved to stop paying for daycare but sad that our kids are moving on to new chapters with new responsibilities and less freedom.
This duality is part of the beauty of being human. We feel so many different emotions, sometimes all at once, and these contrasts make life feel full and real. We need the lows to truly appreciate the highs.
So, as the summer comes to an end, remember that life is full of seasons. Yours might not look like anyone else's, and that's okay. What matters most is holding on to the moments of joy—when everything seems to fall into place, when you're surrounded by those you love, and life feels good.
Soak up every second of those times. They're the moments that carry us through all the seasons to come.
A little bit of front yard summer magic
✨ Friday favorites…
📰 Since my first pregnancy I’ve loved Emily Oster’s work. Her data-driven insights on parenthood and pregnancy are helpful and straightforward, without any of the drama. Her ParentData newsletter and website are great resources.
🏅We’ve been loving the Olympics. We’ve let our oldest son stay up every night to watch some of the primetime recap with us and it’s been so fun, he’s asked so many questions and really gotten into yelling “U-S-A!”
👚 I’m that person who is always freezing indoors during the summer, so I’m constantly carrying a sweater. This cropped cardigan from Old Navy is super soft and doesn’t break the bank.
👯♀️ From one mom, to another…
Your words of wisdom, best piece of advice, and favorite hacks can make a difference in another mom’s journey. What has helped you survive this season? Email me to be featured in an upcoming newsletter.
❝
Make a batch of turkey and cheese sandwiches on Hawaiian rolls and freeze them. You can pack them in a lunchbox and throw it in the fridge the night before school. They’ll be thawed and ready to go by lunch.
Carly F. - Greenville, SC
Happy Friday, Friends! I hope you’re enjoying the last of these summer days, and easing yourself in the routines and rhythms of fall!
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