In this episode, we're diving into the new school season and how we can make the most of it as moms. I'm excited to share five new things I'll be trying out, and I invite you to join me on this journey.

First off, let's chat about the importance of having a first-month check-in with your kids as they head back to school. Meaningful conversations can strengthen family bonds and set a positive tone for the months ahead. Next, I'll delve into the power of setting a family goal for the month. Whether it's an adventure or a learning experience, working together towards a shared goal can bring your family closer.

Of course, we'll explore ways to celebrate and have fun in this new season. I'll also share practical tips on finding "me-time" and reconnecting with your partner. Remember, whether you take on all five ideas or choose one, it's about progress, not perfection. Let's make this new season one of growth, joy, and connection.

What you'll hear in this episode:

[1:45] Five new things Kelsey is implementing this Fall.

[3:45] Have a first-month check-in with your kids.

[5:25] Set a family goal for the month.

[6:45] How to celebrate and have fun.

[8:55] Connect with your partner for a date without other commitments.

[10:15] Take on as many of these five things as you can or pick one and take on one of them.

CONNECT WITH KELSEY

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Kelsey Smith 0:00

What is the seven day goal for you? What is something you can commit to for seven days? And you want to kick this off as soon as possible? Measure it for seven days to check in with your family on the last month, how is last month gone? How are we feeling? What are pros or concert or joys with our stressors, then three set of family goal for the next month. Now we're moving forward, we just reflected back now we're moving forward. What is a goal that we have for the next month as a family? And for is to celebrations one link to that goal? What are we going to celebrate and achieve as a family? And what are we going to just celebrate no matter what, what are we going to do for fun as a family. And then fifth, connect with yourself or your partner or both. Have a date that has nothing to do with other commitments. You're welcome to mama has goals, your weekly reminder that you shouldn't have to sacrifice your dreams to take on the role of mom. I'm Kelsey Smith, mom of two boys. Why an entrepreneur who's passionate about helping other moms current and aspiring to reimagine mom life. I'm bringing you the resources, support and relatability to debunk that limiting belief that you may have about your ability to achieve your goals while raising a human. We're covering everything from mom guilt, marriage, relationships, careers, finances, mental health, physical health, you name it, your life doesn't have to fully shift once you become a mom, you can have it all. And we'll show you how.

Kelsey Smith 1:55

If your kids are in traditional schooling, they are probably back in school for a little bit now. And for me personally, even though my kids are little, I have five things that I am focusing on now that we are back to more routine and schedule. And I want to share those five things with you see how you can make some of them your own, and really use that this new school year as a milestone to kick off whatever it is that you have going on. And really any day is a day for us to find a new norm and a new flow. So whether your kids are out of school, they're not in school anymore, because they're older, or they're little and they're not in school yet. That's okay, you can still use this as this time. So there are five things I'm gonna go over today. The first one is a seven day goal for you. It is so easy to set big goals and big aspirations and things that you want to accomplish and achieve. And I am all for that, and I absolutely love them. But sometimes we just need to be consistent. And so I want to invite you starting this next week or this week, pick a day that you're going to start in measure seven days of consistency. Seven days, something that you can be consistent with that helps you achieve something that you want to achieve. So this could be waking up at a certain time moving your body, smiling every day, getting dressed, eating good foods, drinking water, getting off of social media, consistently checking your email, hanging out with your kids, being nice to yourself, for someone else, checking in with a friend, there are so many things, but pick something that you can be consistent with for seven days that hits you in a way that you're like, oh my gosh, I did it. Seven days. I've been wanting to do this for so long. And I'm so happy I did this seven days in a row. Right? So think about that. The second thing is, some of you may have had your kids in school for about a month. Now. Some of them just started, everyone happens to have a different first day of school day. But they have a first month check in. So whether it's in a couple of weeks, or it's right now sit down as a family and check in with each other. How has the last month gone? Whether it's the first month of school, or it's just really the last month of life? What are some things that were memorable and exciting? What are some things that weren't so good? What are some things that you don't want to repeat? Or that you do things that feel fun and good? And if you want to ask specific questions, because that typically works better with especially depending on the age of your kids, look back at your calendar and say, hey, when we went to that barbecue, did you guys have fun? Or would you have more fun if we went to a movie or did something like this? When you can ask questions that the kids can give a specific answer to rather than having to come up with one on their own. This allows for more invitation of conversation and this could be even with you or your partner as well. But if you can give some areas for them to just say yes or no or that one that allows you to say they'll have a conversation and they maybe don't have to feel like they have to come up with things on the spot. And then you can work up to that throughout the conversation. So have a pulse check, have a gut check. How has the last month gone? Do you like your teacher? Do you have any new friends, how's the routine going? Even just things that you have to do, like, Hey, guys, I've had to pick up a lot more housework, or I've had to do more laundry, we need to fix this, we need to crack some things around here. Or things are feeling really good, and you get to celebrate. And that's number three. As you go into the following month, I would set a family goal, something that you can all come together that you want to work on, whether it's housework or having fun. Maybe it's the you all come together once a week as a family to play one game, or watch one show together, go for one walk together. If your kids are out of the house, maybe it's getting a weekly phone call, saying hey, can we all come together for one phone call a week, what is the family goal that you can set for the month? Is it that you're all saving a little bit of money, or you're all working on something together, whether it's your health or organization or just making promises to yourself and keeping them being kind to each other. Maybe it's speaking more kindly to each other. What is something that at the end of the month, you can measure and say we did it as a family. One thing that you all know. And I recommend if you have a place in your house where you all meet, whether it's the kitchen or the fridge, that you print this out and put it on there. And it can say September goal, or October goal as a family and list what it is. And that brings me to number four, also put the celebration or the fun that you'll have from reaching that goal. Now I want you to set two of these, one that's tied to that goal. One way that you'll celebrate and have fun as a family, when you reach that goal in a second one that you're going to do no matter what something that you know is going to be fun over the next month that you guys are going to celebrate with or do something and this can be so simple. This doesn't have to be a big fancy trip. While it can be. If that's really exciting to you. And you have the means to do that. That's great, do that. But it also could be that you guys go out and get a new board game. Or it could be that you go for a walk in a special place or you go to a new playground, it could be that you make something fun for dinner, you watch a different movie than you normally would. Or you guys get to camp outside of your house in the yard. My kids are really into wanting to like camp in our backyard in her car right now. Something like that. You can watch a movie outside anything that seems simple to execute, but could be fun and celebratory. It could be you treating everyone to Starbucks or their favorite beverage trip to the candy shop, whatever it is that excites you that you can do. So one celebration that is linked to your goal that you're going to put on that fridge and put the celebration on the goal too. And then the second one that you're going to do no matter what the everyone can look forward to. And of course, you want the one that you have to work for to be a little bit of a step up to encourage everyone to reach that goal. But knowing that the other one's coming to the soda to have fun. And the fifth thing is making sure that you have time for you to be alone. And or for parent time only. So whether it's you and your partner, or it's just you time that you get to go do something to connect with yourself or your partner that's outside of a commitment. It's really important that this is outside of commitment. So this isn't like a work dinner party that you had to get a sitter for. This isn't a wedding or another event that you've committed to for someone else. This is you connecting with yourself or your partner both completely outside of commitments. One thing in that month, bare minimum, and this could be in the house, this could be sitting out on the back patio. This could be going out and doing something but something where electronics are put away unless that's part of your like fun activity. My husband and I love playing Wii bowling, but if it's not part of your activity, electronics are put away and you're engaging with each other or yourself. You're doing something with yourself. That's for you. Right, so I'm going to repeat those back. One is the seven day goal for you What is something you can commit to for seven days and you want to kick this off as soon as possible? Measure it for seven days to check in with your family on the last month. How was last month gone? How are we feeling? What are pros or cons? What are joys What are stressors, then three, set a family goal for the next month. Now we're moving forward. We just reflected back now we're moving forward. What is a goal that we have for the next month as a family and four is two celebrations one linked to that goal. What are we going to celebrate and achieve As a family, and what are we going to just celebrate no matter what, what are we going to do for fun as a family. And then fifth, connect with yourself or your partner, or both have a date that has nothing to do with other commitments where you are putting it on the calendar. I know it can sound like a lot, I promise you it's not, I have will put this in a simple guide for you to access in the show notes here, you can download it, check these into your calendar, I promise you, if you make time for it, it won't be overwhelming. That being said, if you hear those five things, and it does feel overwhelming, and you're like, we have too much going on, I can't do that. That's okay, your homework is to pick one, pick one of the five things, then I would like to encourage you to take on as many as you can, and download the guide where it breaks it down if just verbally it sounds heavy. But if you truly can only take on one and take on one of them. I'm sending you so much love mama. This is the beginning of a new era for you the beginning of the school year, or it's just the beginning of you taking action after this. Taking steps towards where you want to go moving forward. Allow this to be a new milestone for you. And there is so much that you can change so quickly. And we always have room for opportunity. So I cannot wait to see where you take these five recommendations. tag me in your stories as you accomplish them. Send me an email or send me a message on social media so I can see how you're doing and what you're making moves on. We all inspire each other and sharing really is caring as my toddler says, to be able to showcase what it is that you're working on. We're all humans behind the scene. And we all just want to know we're not alone. Sending you so much love. Have a great week.

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