5 Tips for a Great Fourth Quarter

By Shanae Godley

The fall season is almost here. (*big smile*)
The school year recently started back.
Sports are keeping us really busy.
The temperatures are changing.
It’s almost time for fall festivals and school fundraisers.
The county fair and state fair are around the corner.
It’s just about time for boots and sweaters, and while my waistline is not as “snatched” as I would like, I’ll be wearing them both.
Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas begins on October 27th.
Thanksgiving is less than 75 days away.
And, Christmas is less than 100 days away.

I’m sure there is much, much more happening in the last quarter of the year. In fact, so much happens between October 1 and December 31st that many people, especially moms, become overwhelmed and in some cases suffer from things like anxiety and depression. The pressure of trying to be everywhere and everything for everyone can be taxing on even the greatest Supermom. So, here are some tips that can help us get through the rest of 2019 with a little more happiness and a little less stress.

Tip 1: Get with your household and discuss upcoming activities now, put them on the calendar and plan to attend those that you can. If new activities pop-up, then reassess and plan accordingly. It can be taxing to try and attend every school, community, work, and family event during the fourth quarter.

Tip 2: Take a moment to consider all that will NEED to be done, all that you WANT to get done, and all that might POP-UP. Prioritize your activities and avoid the temptation of wanting to do it all. Sometimes this can be as hard as passing up a second dessert at the family gathering, but it’s necessary. You should also do this with your gift list for Christmas.

Tip 3: Prioritization works, but procrastination can steal your joy. Don’t let it! Consider ordering gifts and travel tickets early. You may even want to start decorating and fall cleaning in preparation for a great fall season.

Tip 4: Be mindful that some people are bearing this season with the loss of a loved one. The holidays can be depressing to some or they can be joyful. This may be a good opportunity to spend time with people in your life. Remind them of how special they are and give them love all season long. However, be mindful that it may be a difficult time for them to attend events and gatherings.

Last Tip: Have fun! So often we, as moms, forget that the holiday season is not just about the love we give to others. Take some time to show yourself some love. It’s not selfish. It’s smart. You may need to take a mental health break, get some rest, or even buy yourself a gift. Tis’ the season!

These are some things that I’ve learned over the past 16 years as a parent. Some of them were tips passed down to me from wise mothers who know what it’s like to stress yourself out and neglect the one person that will absolutely need to be healthy, happy, and wealthy going into the next year.

This is my wish for you. Go all out in the fourth quarter, but don’t wear yourself down to the point where you have to crawl into the new year with no energy, no joy, and, and no money. Have an amazing fourth quarter and may you enjoy all of the pumpkin and peppermint your heart can stand.

Shanae Godley, MPH
www.shanaegodley.com