Back to School, Back to Ourselves

There is something about the end of summer that feels like a reset.

I love summer. I love the freedom of it, the long days, the trips, the dinners that happen later than they should and the break from constantly watching the clock. But as a mom, summer also means a lot of figuring out what everyone is doing, where everyone needs to be and how we are going to fill all of those wide open days.

And then suddenly, school starts.

This year, I have two kids off at college and two still at home, and once again, I am adjusting to a completely new routine. After raising four kids, you would think I would have this part figured out by now. I don't.

Every school year is different because every season of motherhood is different.

But I have to admit, there is something really nice about getting back into a rhythm.

It's time to reconnect with the moms we haven't seen as much because we were all busy entertaining our kids all summer and finding the next fun thing to do. It's time to find a Bible study, make plans with a workout buddy or finally get back into a workout routine.

And can we talk about the house?

The clutter! Somehow summer seems to leave a trail through every room. I am ready to clean things out, put things away and get my house back in order.

And meal planning. Apparently that is a real thing again.

I actually love this little window of time when we get to decide what we want our fall to look like. Not just our kids' schedules, but ours too. What do I want to make time for? Who do I want to reconnect with? What routines would make our family life a little easier?

My Urban Toddler Is Going Through the Same Transition

In a funny way, My Urban Toddler is doing exactly what I am doing at home.

We are clearing out the last pieces of spring and summer and putting them on sale. At the same time, boxes of fall merchandise are arriving and we are finding homes for all of it.

We are shopping for fourth quarter toys and gifts while still merchandising fall clothing. We are planning tailgates and local events while also preparing for holiday engagements at country clubs. We are thinking about Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas while Michigan is still giving us mornings in the 60s and afternoons in the 90s.

What exactly are we supposed to wear right now?

Retail has these funny overlapping seasons where you're never completely finished with one before the next one arrives. Motherhood feels a little like that too.

You're packing away one stage while the next one is already showing up at the door.

A New Season of Discovery

One of my favorite things about this time of year at My Urban Toddler is that there are so many little moments ahead.

Picture Day.

Football Saturdays.

School concerts.

Halloween.

Birthday parties.

Family photos.

Thanksgiving.

Holiday parties.

Christmas morning.

And all of the completely ordinary days in between.

After almost 20 years of owning a children's store and raising four kids of my own, I know how quickly these occasions sneak up on us. Suddenly someone needs an outfit for Picture Day tomorrow. Or you realize the Halloween event is this weekend. Or Grandma needs a gift. Or you need something your child will actually wear for family pictures.

That's what I want My Urban Toddler to be this fall: a place to discover the things you didn't even know you needed yet.

Come in and see what's new. Wander around. Find the outfit, the gift, the book, the Michigan gear or that little something that makes the next occasion easier and more special.

Because while our routines may be starting again, childhood certainly isn't slowing down.

And neither are we.

Here's to new schedules, cleaner houses, planned dinners, reconnecting with friends, finding a little time for ourselves and figuring out what everyone is going to wear when it's 60 degrees at drop off and 90 degrees at pickup.

Welcome back, fall. We're ready for you.

Mostly.