Goodbye summer, hello routine

Every summer, I tell myself we’ll slow down. We’ll have long mornings on the deck, lazy afternoons at the beach, and maybe even ice cream for dinner just because we can. And yet, before I know it, summer has turned into a sprint, not a stroll, with calendars full of drop-off times, camp spirit days, and attempts at summer fun squeezed in between.

Last summer, we juggled three kids in different camps, at different locations, with completely different schedules. Some days, my husband and I felt more like chauffeurs and less like parents, shuttling kids around at all hours of the workday. We actually looked forward to the weeks with no camps at all, just for the sheer relief from the driving and calendar notifications. This year we simplified: one daycare for all three kids, with the same hours, same location, and even lunch included. As most parents can agree, that was nothing short of a summer miracle.

But no matter how much we try to streamline summer, it still has its own rhythm. With a husband in his last semester of school and kids adjusting to new routines, our household felt a little chaotic at times. There were many days where plans changed and expectations were adjusted.

But woven into that chaos were the moments that made summer feel special. Ice cream cones dripping faster than they could be eaten, backyard performances with the kids that demanded an audience, and the constant chorus of “watch this!” from the pool.

I got what I wanted from this summer: long sunny days, open-ended evenings, and the freedom from packing lunches. There was a looseness to the season that felt good, even if it came with its share of work and coordination.

And yet, I welcome the return to the school year with open arms. September brings the comfort of routine — evenings that fall into predictable patterns and the ability to plan without cross-referencing a dozen camp newsletters.

And speaking of new beginnings, this column marks one of mine. In a way, taking over this space from the talented Aliyah feels a little like a September reset of my own — a chance to bring fresh perspective, share a few stories, and maybe get a letter back one day.

It’s funny how personal resets often align with seasonal ones. Here in Kawartha Lakes, the shift is already obvious: the boats on the Trent-Severn start thinning out, the fall fair posters go up, and the desire to cook fresh apple pies increases with every fall farmer’s market. It’s a bittersweet reminder that summer is fleeting, but also a reassurance that routine is waiting on the other side.

So here’s to the seasons of change, whether that’s new schools, new schedules, or even a new column. At least here, in this space, nobody is expecting me to dress for superhero day.