Usually, when I hear the phrase, ‘Tis The Season’, it’s about the holiday season.  But, for me, late August/early September is the Stress season.  In North America, summer is winding down,  we’re  returning to our routines after having a more relaxed schedule, school is about to begin,  school buses will soon roll, causing changes in traffic patterns and delays, the days are getting shorter.  All of this creates a change in our rhythm, leading to stress.  Given this reality, we are well served to plan for the changes so that we can deal with them gracefully.

If you are struggling with the change of seasons and accompanying change of pace, try this:

1.  Accept that the change is happening.  There’s no point in resisting or denying that summer is coming to an end, that won’t change reality.

2.  Create a ceremony to celebrate the great aspects of your summer.  Try having everyone in the family share their top 3 memories or experiences of the summer, have a party or think of your own unique way to mark the passage of time.

3.  Discuss expectations and anticipation of the new season.   Ask each family member to share what they are most looking forward to as the calendar page is turned and what they are most concerned about.  (The latter so that it is on the table and can be addressed but not dwelled upon.)

4. Create clear routines.  Often summer is a time of looser plans, relaxed schedules, later bedtimes for kids, more flexibility.  Discuss the Fall schedule with everyone involved to set expectations and get agreement.

3.  Set goals for the Fall.  What do you want to do or accomplish?  How do you want your relationships to be?

4.  Expect a little chaos, it goes with the change.

5.  Move into your new routine gradually.  Begin making some of the changes now, before life forces you to.  Begin to get back onto a more regular schedule of mealtimes and bedtimes.  Have the kids begin to get up at their normal ‘school’ time.  Find other ways to ease into the new season.

6.  Remember, time flies.  Summer will be here again before you know it!