Ah, fall—my favorite time of year! I adore snuggling into cozy sweaters and sipping on hot drinks (bring on the pumpkin spice!). The vibrant leaves are breathtaking, and I can’t help but get excited about the fun-filled holidays that come with this season.
But as I sat down to brainstorm autumn activities for my kids, I felt a wave of anxiety wash over me. I stumbled upon lists promising 75 must-do fall activities, 100 crafts, and countless local festivals. For someone like me, who tends to get overwhelmed and puts too much pressure on herself, this can be a bit of a nightmare. I want to create fantastic memories, yet I often find myself in over my head. So this fall, I’m flipping the script. Instead of a Fall Bucket List, I’m opting for a Fall Nope List. Care to join me? Here’s what I’m skipping this season:
1. Crafting Costumes from Scratch
Been there, done that. The result? Tears (from both me and the kids) and costumes that looked like they were made in a rush. No more! Amazon Prime is my trusty ally, and I might muster the energy to check out a local costume shop, but that’s about it.
2. Attending Every Festival
Who wants to wait in long lines with cranky kids, only to spend a small fortune on rickety rides that give me a headache? I’m fine with one or two festivals, but not every single one that pops up in town.
3. Apple Picking Adventures
While my first experience apple picking with my son was a blast, the reality of a two-hour drive and returning home with an overabundance of apples (and empty pockets) isn’t worth it.
4. Going Overboard with Decorations
I enjoy sprucing up my home with the classic fall décor—some vibrant mums and a few spooky signs. But turning my entryway into a cornucopia of corn husks and hanging apple baskets from every window? No thanks.
5. Baking Everything Under the Sun
Sure, pumpkin pie is a classic, and I can handle pumpkin muffins. But if a recipe takes more than 20 minutes to prepare, it better come with a guarantee that my kids will actually eat it!
6. Going Craft Crazy
If my kids want to cut out some paper pumpkins, that’s great! But I lack the crafting gene and can’t handle the mess. So, no fancy foliage frames, glittery garlands (glitter is banned in my house), or turning old sweaters into lampshades.
7. Trying to Enjoy Every Single Moment
While there will be plenty of lovely moments this fall, there will also be some that are downright miserable. I’m not going to force myself to love every second. If we’re stuck outside in the cold after trick-or-treating and everyone is whining, I’m right there with them—crying and commiserating.
I know that nothing ever goes perfectly, especially with kids involved. This year, I’m going to embrace the chaos and expect things to go sideways. If I anticipate the worst, maybe I’ll be pleasantly surprised when things don’t turn out as badly as I thought. Here’s hoping!
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Summary: As fall approaches, I’m choosing to focus on what truly matters: enjoying the season without the pressure to do it all. By skipping elaborate costume-making, excessive festival hopping, and the stress of constant crafting, I’m aiming to create a more relaxed and enjoyable autumn with my children.