Alright, everyone, summer has waved goodbye, and it’s time to dive into the joys of fall. If this is your first round of autumn parenting, let me break down what you absolutely must do before Thanksgiving rolls around. No matter if your child is a toddler or a newborn, you need to tackle this checklist because it’s fall, and you don’t want to lose that mom badge. Let’s get started!
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Visit the Pumpkin Patch
Oh, your little one is just a few days old and clueless about pumpkins? Tough luck! Load up the diaper bag and get those sippy cups ready because you’re not a real parent until you’ve forked over ten bucks to trudge through a muddy pumpkin patch for that Instagram-worthy shot of your baby with a tiny pumpkin. Don’t forget the hayride—your child will probably squirm and whine, but suffering is part of the experience. And yes, brace yourself for the candy apple demand that comes with a lengthy wait. Remember, all eyes are on you for how you handle the sticky situation (and the hand sanitizer debate). -
Crafting and Fall Decor
By October 1st, if your front door isn’t sporting a witch, pumpkin, or a “Give Thanks” sign, you might as well hang up your mom shoes. Seriously, are you not grateful? While you can easily buy decorations at your local store, let your kids contribute too. Get crafty with easy Halloween crafts—ghosts, bats, creepy spiders—you name it. If crafting isn’t your thing, just make sure to display at least eight gourds on your mantel and have your child write down 20 things they’re thankful for. Bonus points for lighting a pumpkin-scented candle in the bathroom. -
Pumpkin Carving Extravaganza
Forget about what the Johnsons down the street are doing with their painted pumpkins. Real moms carve! Get ready to scoop out all that gooey pumpkin guts and roast the seeds for a snack that brings back memories of regret. Your kids will start out excited about the design but will likely vanish when it’s time to deal with the pumpkin innards. You’ll be left finishing the masterpiece solo, but remember, these pumpkins are going on display. They might rot in two days, but that’s part of the autumn fun. -
Fall Family Photo Shoot
Boot check, everyone! You can’t show up to a family photo in flip-flops. If your little one complains about their new boots, remind them that character is built through hardship. Coordinate matching sweaters or dresses for that perfect autumn shot among the falling leaves. Choose a picturesque spot and ignore the mud ruining those brand-new boots. This is the photo that will grace your holiday cards, so make it count! -
Prepare for Weather Whiplash
Fall is the season for unpredictable temperatures. One day it’s 41 degrees, the next it’s 70, and then snow? Be that prepared mom who has a stash of backup clothing in the car—pants, shorts, light jackets, heavy jackets, hats, gloves, and even swimsuits. Always be ready for anything! -
Crockpot Cooking
If you don’t own a Crockpot or, even better, an Instant Pot, what are you even doing? You need to whip up at least three of the following by the end of fall: chili (extra points for variety!), hot apple cider, chicken noodle soup, hearty beef stew, or an apple dessert made from those hand-picked apples. -
Football Watching
Whether you love it or loathe it, football is a must on weekends. College or NFL, it doesn’t matter. You can zone out while you craft spooky decorations, but make sure there’s a game on. Use this time to whip out that Crockpot and serve up those pumpkin seeds. Congratulations, you’re now the mom of the year! -
Light Something Up
You need to have an open flame moment before Christmas. Roast marshmallows, have a bonfire, or just enjoy the warmth of a fire pit. Capture those adorable moments when your child holds a roasting stick, just before they almost drop it into the flames. Timing is everything here! It’s also a great opportunity to combine this with the pumpkin patch outing, as some patches have fires for roasting.
That’s your fall checklist! Just eight tasks to conquer before the holiday frenzy begins.
In summary, autumn is packed with essential activities, from pumpkin patch visits to crafting sessions, family photos, and culinary adventures. Don’t forget to embrace the chaos and capture the memories!
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