I think of September as one of my three “new years.” I take time early in September to reflect and regroup before launching into the fall. I first learned about this concept of thinking of three new years on one of my favorite podcasts – Organize 365 with Lisa Woodruff.
Even during a pandemic, we – and our kids – are going to have a new schedule and routines now that a new school year is starting. This month is an ideal time to regroup and assess what’s working and what’s not in our parenting, at work, and personally.
I love a fresh start – a chance to course correct and plan for better months ahead, and so I like to think of September – like January – as another chance for a reboot.
If, like me, you’re wanting to regroup and settle in to new and better habits and routines for yourself and your family this fall, here are some of my favorite tools and ideas.
Ep. 146: How are you doing? A Mid-year Check-in
How are you doing?
A Check-In
Subscribe to my weekly emails, and I'll send you my free two-page check-in PDF.
Personal Well-Being: How’s Your Physical, Emotional, & Spiritual Health?
Are you putting on your own oxygen mask?
Ep. 152: Putting on Your COVID Mask First
Ep. 36: Project Me for Busy Mothers
Do you need to figure out your “Sweet Spot”?
Do you need to work on learning to breathe?
Do you need to connect more with friends?
Ep. 57: The Importance of Adult Friendships.
Do you want to get lost in activities you really enjoy?
Parenting
Do you want your kids to help more around the house?
Download my Household Responsibilities Audit (from my book Happy Campers) and assess what tasks can be shifted from you to the kids this fall. They’re more capable than you think!
Read more…
How doing Less Made me a Better Parent.
Let the Kids Cook Dinner
Would you like to stop yelling at your kids?
Listen to Carla Naumburg’s tips in this episode of the podcast: Ep. 103: How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t with Your Kids.
Want some help dealing with challenging behaviors?
Signe Whitson has excellent advice in Ep. 97: Parenting the Challenging Child .
Do you have teens who you’d like to start stepping up and becoming adults?
Download my Ready for Adulthood Checklist (from my book Happy Campers) and go over it with your soon-to-be-adult to review what they want and need to learn this year.
Listen to Ep.102: Grown and Flown with Lisa Heffernan.
Are your mornings crazy?
10 Solutions for Chaotic Mornings
Want more tips for raising thriving kids?
Check out my book, Happy Campers: 9 Summer Camp Secrets for Raising Kids Who Become Thriving Adults and my podcast, Sunshine Parenting!
Work
Do you want to make some adjustments to your schedule and priorities?
Listen to Ep. 56: Off the Clock with Laura Vanderkam. I also really enjoy Laura’s quick daily podcast, Before Breakfast. She shares awesome productivity advice.
Do you want to assess the work you do and how you can make it more meaningful or efficient? Here are some of my favorite books on the topics of prioritizing, planning, and productivity:
Essentialism
Atomic Habits
Deep Work
Digital Minimalism
Crucial Conversations
Die Empty: Unleash Your Best Work Every Day
The Go-Giver
Be the Gateway
