It’s that time of year agaaaain - the lunchboxes are being packed, tiny backpacks are heading out the door, and your social feed is full of “First Day of School” chalkboard photos and moms setting their September resolutions.
But what if your little one isn’t off to school yet?
What if your September still looks a lot like July… just with fewer popsicles and more emails to reply to?
Maybe your older child is heading off to school while your youngest is still crawling around in a onesie. Maybe your entire household is still in the pre-preschool phase. Either way, back-to-school season hits differently when your baby’s still in diapers.
Here’s the good news: you’re still allowed a reset and a routine. Even if the only schedule you’re managing is naps, diaper changes, and snack refills.
Shifting into September (without a school run to keep up with)
While everyone else is adjusting to school bells and supply lists, parents of younger kids can still take this seasonal shift as a chance to simplify.
Think of this as the perfect time for a mental refresh, a new rhythm.
Because even if you're not prepping school uniforms, chances are you're craving a little more structure after the free-for-all of summer. The days of late bedtimes, sand-filled diapers, and picnics on the floor have been so sweet. But it’s normal if now you’re feeling like you need a little more calm in your life.
The transition to autumn doesn’t have to be about productivity. It can be about ease (ahem, please read that sentence again.)
It’s a great time to simplify your diaper routine
If you’re rethinking routines, start where it matters most (and happens most often): diaper changes.
This is the perfect time to streamline your changing table. Ditch the wipes that dry out your baby’s skin, the jars of half-used creams, the things you tried once and forgot about. And if you're ready to go green, now's your moment.
French moms have been doing it for generations, with one bottle of liniment lotion that cleans, protects, and restores in a single swipe. We’re not kidding.
You quite literally need one hand and zero brainpower (perfect for sleep-deprived mornings).
You deserve a back-to-school treat too
Who says only school-aged kids get new gear?
Restock your go-to products. Replace the dried-up wipes in your bag. Toss in a travel-size diapering lotion for daycare drop-off or weekend errands. It’s your version of a shiny new pencil case (and it actually makes life easier.)
Petites pensées
Back-to-school season isn’t just for the kids heading off to class. It’s a beautiful excuse to reset your space, your rhythms, and your expectations.
You don’t need to do it all - just find what works, keep what helps, and ditch the rest.
Even if you’re not labeling lunch boxes this year… you’re still doing important work, one diaper change at a time.