This is the Year of Me Saying No

A new school year is coming—and our family calendar looks WILDLY different than ever.

When summer vacation begins to wind down and our family gets ready to face a brand-new school year, I start to feel . . . big energy.

The wings of that big energy carry me into a whirlwind of activity to get us all ready for a fresh start. Some years, that looks like getting new backpacks and school supplies—you know, the usual.

But some years, when our family is on the cusp of a milestone, I burn with a different sort of energy.

This kind seems to extend deep down into my soul, that burns deep into the night as I lay in my bed, think at season ahead and wonder, Who do we want our family to be right now?

What is the pace we want to keep?

What do we want our schedules to look like after school, and on the weekends?

Do we want to fill our days with more extracurriculars, with new opportunities, with more car time and logistics and “Don’t forget the team snacks!” Or do we want more white space on the calendar?

How many hats do we want to wear in the season ahead? Mom, Dad, son, daughter, student, athlete, business owner, room mom, team mom, team captain—what feels right for us this season? How many hats can we put on until our necks start to bend from the weight?