Edition #239 | Read time: 5 Minutes
Hi Mamas,
Can you feel it? That shift where summer’s last lazy days start bumping up against a calendar that’s filling up fast.
Before the last quarter of the year hits full swing, we wanted to share a few areas we’re thinking through now. The stuff that actually makes a big difference in how the season FEELS, not just functions. We don't just want moms to successfully execute fall. We want you to actually experience it…#proofofmom continues!
We all know how this can go…we blink, and suddenly we’re knee-deep in fall chaos, then holiday chaos, then somehow typing “2027” on things. (Seriously, where are all those time machines from the movies we grew up watching when we actually need one?)
Over the next few weeks, we’re sharing some ways you can protect your fall, starting with: PROTECTING YOUR TIME.
Have you heard the old rocks, pebbles and sand analogy? (If not, we’ll link it here, because it’s a good one.)
The short version: If you fill your jar with sand first, there’s no room left for the big rocks. But if you put the big rocks in first, everything else finds a way to fit around them.
Of course, we could poke some holes in the analogy, but overall it’s a good reminder.
So before September 1st, we want you to do something. (Okay, listen, we know we’re past the days of homework, but c’mon, we promise to do it with you.)
Grab a piece of paper. Set a 20-minute timer sometime this week. Put your phone on Do Not Disturb.
And then we’re going to help you think through your rocks, pebbles and sand.
We’ve already done the brainstorming part for you. You don’t have to sit there staring at a blank piece of paper trying to remember everything.
We made the list. You just need to make the time.
Give us 20 minutes, work through the prompts below, and we’ll help you get the things that matter most onto the calendar before the calendar gets the best of you.
Enjoy!
—The CARRY™ Team
This week in The CARRY™ ALL, we’re talking about:
🪨 Your Fall Calendar Non-Negotiables
🔔 The Important-but-Not-Urgent Fall Reminders
🏖️ What You Can Knock Out, Delegate or Let Go
As always, this is a space for our CARRY™ community to connect with each other. Leave a comment and keep the conversation going. And, we bet there’s another mama that would love The CARRY™ ALL in their inbox, too. Pass on the love!
First things first: what is already spoken for?
Before you start filling your calendar with every practice, appointment, errand and volunteer opportunity under the sun, get the things that truly can’t move on there first.
The question: If I don’t put this on the calendar now, will it become a problem later?
School events and days off (and childcare coverage you know you’ll need)
Sports practices, games, tournaments and travel weekends
Work trips or work events that are already locked in
Holiday travel or hosting plans
Doctor, dentist, orthodontist or other appointments already scheduled
Family birthdays and milestone events
Church or religious commitments
Your spouse/partner’s work travel or major commitments
Any family commitments already on the calendar
Date nights, Girls’ nights, Coffee with a friend (our social connections are VITAL to our overall health. These should be on repeat every week/month.)
These are the things that set the framework for everything else. Once they’re in place, you can see what space you actually have to work with.
Set your timer…AND GO.
Now, let’s talk about the things that are easy to push to the bottom of the list because nothing is technically on fire. What do you want to make sure actually happens this fall? These are the calendar items that make fall feel like fall, not just functional.
The question: What do I want fall to actually feel like?
Workout schedule or classes
Hair, nails or other personal appointments
One-on-one time with your kids
Seasonal traditions you want to keep/make happen (Pumpkin patch / apple picking / football game / fall festival / neighborhood gathering/ etc.)
Holiday shopping time
If you’re a holiday-card person: schedule the photos, order the cards and supplies
Start a Christmas gift list
Anything you’ve been saying, “We really need to do that this fall…”
You don’t need to schedule all of these. Pick the ones that matter to you and give them a spot.
Okay, now for the stuff that has been living in your brain rent-free.
The tiny tasks and random errands. The “Oh yeah, I still need to…” list that gets longer every time you check something off.
Don’t organize it. Don’t prioritize it. Just get it out of your head. These are the lowest-priority things, but they can be sneaky time-suckers because there are just soooo many of them.
The question: What can I just knock out, batch together, outsource, simplify, or let go?
School: Classroom party sign-ups, permission slips, school emails, lunch account replenish, school pictures, yearbook, spirit wear, volunteer sign-ups, etc.
Life: Personal appointments that aren’t a priority, returns, dry cleaning, package drop-offs, birthday gifts, grocery pickup, random errands
House: Maintenance to-dos, seasonal decorating, changing air filters, scheduling winter services, decluttering, things you’ve been meaning to donate
Car: Oil change, tire rotation, inspection/registration, car wash, maintenance
Holiday prep: Halloween costumes, Thanksgiving menu, Christmas gift list, wrapping supplies, holiday decor
All the random stuff: The things you’ve been meaning to do but that don’t actually need to happen today
Now comes the part that makes this exercise actually useful.
Don’t end with one more beautiful list of things you’re now responsible for remembering.
Put actual reminders, deadlines and check-ins on your calendar. Or delegate it ;)
Order the holiday cards → put a date on the calendar
Book tournament travel → add a reminder for when registration opens
Order the Halloween costume → pick a date and knock it out
Schedule holiday photos → text the photographer or put a calendar reminder to text the photographer
Buy Thanksgiving travel → set a booking reminder
Return school paperwork → add a 15-minute admin block
Plan a date night → text the babysitter
Don’t just put the task on your calendar. Put the next action on your calendar.
“Holiday cards” is a task.
“Book photographer” is an action.
The more specific you get, the less you have to carry around in your head. And you KNOW how we feel about trying to carry it all, ladies!
Twenty minutes.
Get those rocks in the jar first! It’s ultimately about making sure the things that matter most don’t get crowded out by the things that must happen.
Have you heard of paternal brain training? New research out of Denmark shows that when fathers have parental leave specifically earmarked for them, they take more leave, mothers’ and fathers’ incomes become more equal, and attitudes around caregiving and gender roles can shift, too.
We love advocating for moms, but parental leave should be for both parents. Those early weeks help establish who does what at home, and those habits can have a lasting impact on how families share work and caregiving.
Want to read more about this? Check it out HERE.
“Just dropped my first kid off at college. It feels like I got sucker punched. Like Paula said in her latest podcast episode, it's a mix of tears and cheers. It definitely has helped to talk to other parents who have experienced the college-drop off emotions. It's a time of grieving what was. It's an ending to a season, but also the beginning of a new relationship. Through the tears we will find joy again. It's simply a matter of time. Hang in there! Adventures await.” - Krista
We see you, mamas! You can catch up on Paula’s podcast HERE. She’s been back this month with all the candid thoughts about sending her oldest, Caroline, off to college!
We’re always looking for little ways to lighten your load, and this is one of them. Instead of hunting through old posts, we’ve gathered our favorite products, exclusive discount codes, and tried-and-true recommendations all in one place. You’ll find it all HERE.
If you choose to shop through one of our links, thank you. It helps support The CARRY™ ALL and allows us to keep creating free encouragement and practical resources for working moms. We appreciate you being here. 🤍
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