Tips for Fall

Thoughts & Reflections

Fall is just around the corner! The official start of fall is the Autumnal Equinox on September 22nd, but we’re already starting to see the signs of a changing season — different weather, different plants, different clothing.

We put together a few tips to welcome fall.

Go on a nature walk. Things are changing every day! Maybe the trees are different colors than they were a week ago, or different flowers are in bloom. Maybe neighbors have decor up to celebrate the season. Maybe the weather hasn’t changed dramatically, but the days are growing shorter. Wherever you live, things are slowly changing, and a walk around your neighborhood, whether in the country or a busy city, provides clues to this changing season.

Change your clothes. It’s been a while since we’ve needed to wear shoes and socks! Vest season is the best season, and hello, scarf collection! The first thing is to pull out last year’s attire and see what still fits. How big you’ve gotten! Is there a smaller friend or sibling who could make good use of those too-tight boots with lots of stomping left in them? If you don’t know anyone personally, there are often outerwear collection points in the fall for children in your community who are in need of warm and cozy pre-adventured items.

When you’ve figured out what needs to be replaced, reflect on last year’s successes and challenges. Were those boots with hand-holds particularly effective? Were the really cute mittens adorable but not nearly warm enough? Was the coat with buttons fun and the right color, but fussy, and not as cozy as the waterproof one? Remembering what worked and what was, well, challenging, can be helpful prior to making decisions about this year’s garments.

“There is no best choice, only the option that works best for your family.”

Once you’ve decided what needs to be purchased, you can figure out how you want your child to be involved. Say you’ve decided this year needs a new coat — a three-in-one with a waterproof shell and a removable insulated liner. Would you like your child to come with you on a coat-finding adventure, complete with a trip for hot chocolate? Would it be best to whittle down to two options, and your child picks? Would you like to surprise your child with a new coat that you’ve picked that meets your needs and is in your child’s favorite color for their birthday? There is no best choice, only the option that works best for your family.

Celebrate the season. Before the trees are bare, before there’s snow or mud, before the skies are grey for what feels like an age, fall really is magical. There’s as much color as in spring, there’s a bite in the air, and the start of so many fun holidays and special occasions around the world. The beginning of each season is such a time of anticipation, how will you bring in this one? Maybe you’d like to introduce your child to mid-afternoon tea. Maybe this is the perfect year to plant a few bulbs to wait for spring colors. Maybe we can get one of those orange things for our house, too. There’s always something to celebrate, big and small, and children are so good at finding joy.