when the newness wears off
The new school year buzz has faded. The excitement of new teachers, new routines, and fresh starts has been replaced with the reality of early alarms, packed schedules, and the endless cycle of homework, practices, and late-night snacks.
Everything that felt new and exciting a few weeks ago now feels... ordinary. The grind has officially set in.
And if we’re being honest, it’s not just the kids feeling it — we are too. That little twinge of mom guilt creeps in. Should I be doing more? Should I help them stay motivated? Or do they just need space to be tired and human for a bit?
I see it in my own teen — his determination to keep going, to give his best to everything he does. He doesn’t always know when to pause or that it’s okay to slow down. As parents it’s hard to watch our kids push themselves to exhaustion, but it’s also our reminder to help them find balance — to remind them that rest isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom.
Here’s what I’m learning — maybe the best thing we can do right now isn’t to fix anything, but to show up in small, intentional ways.
1. Create moments of extraordinary in the ordinary.
Extraordinary doesn’t have to mean a weekend getaway or a big surprise. Sometimes it’s as simple as swinging through for milkshakes after practice, watching a show together without multitasking, or cooking dinner side by side while music plays in the background.
These little, unexpected pauses remind our teens that life isn’t all about the grind. IT IS about connection.
2. Give them space to rest and re-calibrate.
Our kids are juggling a lot: school, sports, friendships, and pressure to do it all. It’s okay if they need downtime. In fact, it’s necessary.
Let them rest without guilt. Let them breathe. Let them take a step back to recharge. We don’t need to fill every moment or turn rest into a productivity lesson. Sometimes what they need most is permission to stop.
3. Keep connection simple.
We don’t have to have deep heart-to-hearts every night (though those are nice when they happen). Connection often happens in the small, in-between moments . It looks a smile, a shared snack, a “Hey, I’m proud of you.”
Consistency matters more than perfection.
So, as the newness wears off and the rhythm of the school year settles in, maybe this is our chance to breathe too.
To slow down.
To remember that being a “good” parent doesn’t mean keeping things exciting, it means being steady, loving, and real.
Sometimes extraordinary is simply showing up, even when everything feels ordinary.
If you’re finding yourself in this season and want to better support your teen, strengthen connection, or find balance in your own parenting journey, I’d love to help!
Life coaching can give both you and your teen tools to manage stress, build confidence, and navigate these everyday ups and downs with more calm and clarity.
💬 Reach out to connect — you don’t have to figure it out alone.
