It’s funny how a single line from a song can stop you in your tracks. “August slipped away…”

That’s exactly what this month feels like, isn’t it?

One minute, you’re relaxing in the backyard, watching your kids run through the sprinklers, their laughter (and most likely the laughter of a few neighbor kids) make your heart happy. And the next? You’re standing in the middle of the school supply aisle, clutching a crumpled list, wondering if you already bought the markers or if you just thought about buying them.

August is a strange mix of holding on and letting go. We’re trying to soak in every last bit of summer—the late nights, the pool days, the “just one more” ice cream trips—while also craving the steady rhythm of a routine. We’re scheduling last-minute playdates, cramming in that one thing we swore we’d do before school started, and silently making mental notes for the season ahead.

And somewhere in between applying endless sunscreen and a quick Target run, there’s the mom guilt.

• Guilt for wanting the structure of a normal schedule back.
• Guilt for wishing away the long, unstructured days.
• Guilt for wondering if we’ve really done enough to make this summer magical.

The truth is, we’re all just doing our best. We’re keeping track of the shoe sizes, the favorite snacks, the birthdays, the sports schedules, the laundry, the missing water bottles, and the sunscreen that somehow always disappears right when you need it. We’re the glue, holding it all together, even when we’re running on coffee and half a night’s sleep.

If no one’s told you lately—you’re not alone in this.

You’re not the only one feeling a little torn, a little stretched, a little bittersweet about what this month brings. You’re not the only one standing at the kitchen sink at night, looking out at the yard and thinking about how fast it’s all going.

Sometimes, it’s okay to just name it. To say, “This is hard. This is beautiful. This is exhausting. This is fleeting.” To take a deep breath and let yourself feel all of it without rushing to fix it.

So if you’re tired—same.
If you’re overwhelmed—same.
If you’re soaking up the good moments while secretly counting down the days until the bus pulls up—same.

We know this blog isn’t shopping-related. There’s nothing to add to your cart here. This is just one mom (and a team of other moms) sending out a little reminder that you’re not the only one navigating the wild, tender, in-between space that August brings.

We’re all right here with you. Squeezing the last drops out of summer. Hoping we’ve done enough. And quietly reminding ourselves that love—not a perfectly checked-off list—is what our kids will remember most.

Chat soon~ 🖤 CTB