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Summer is a beautiful, chaotic blur in our house. There’s water on the floor, popsicle sticks in the yard, and kids constantly asking for snacks or “just five more minutes” outside. But when September starts to creep in, I start to feel the pull toward rhythm, routine, and a home that feels just a little bit more peaceful. As a homeschool mom whose house is full of energetic little ones, this seasonal transition is more than just switching out decor. It’s about preparing our hearts, homes, and habits for a new season.
Here’s how I try to make that transition in our home, realistically and with grace:
How to prepare your home for a Summer to Fall transition
1. Start with Prayer and Reflection
As the season starts to shift away from Summer’s long unstructured days to the slower rhythms of Fall, it’s the perfect time to pause and pray. I like to ask the Lord to show me what He wants this next season to look like for our family. What are we supposed to focus on? What’s just extra noise? And what do I need to let go of to make room for what matters? I also write down a few goals for myself, our homeschool and our family as a whole.
“To everything there is a season…” — Ecclesiastes 3:1
2. whole house and car reset
Summer always tends to leave its mark around the house and car. There’s sunscreen, soccer balls, footballs, water guns, and skates everywhere. One of the first things I do to get ready for Fall is clean up the summer chaos. Together with the kids, we:
- Throw out broken summer/water toys
- Put summer clothes to the back of the closets
- Donate summer clothes, toys and household items that we don’t need or want
- Clear out the car of anything that doesn’t belong
I wouldn’t really consider this a deep clean, but a practical reset that helps clear physical and mental space as we step into a more intentional season.
3. Make the House Feel Cozy Again
One of my favorite things to do as we transition from Summer to Fall is to make the house feel cozy and inviting again. I like to slowly bring in the warmer textures, blankets, and autumn scented candles to create a peaceful atmosphere. Simple touches of Fall make a big a difference. Creating a cozy home doesn’t have to be expensive or overwhelming. It’s really just about setting the tone for a slower season.
IN OUR HOMESCHOOL
We don’t have a Pinterest worthy homeschool room. It’s really just our dining table, some cabinet space and a few shelves but I still like to refresh our space with a few simple touches.
- Put away leftover summer worksheets and crafts
- Place Fall themed picture book into a basket
- Bring in nature study tools and resources
There’s nothing complicated or fancy about this subtle change, but it signals to the kids (and me) that we’re stepping into a new season in our homeschool.
4. Ease Back Into a Rhythm
Instead of jumping straight into a strict schedule, I like to take a gentle approach. We start by implementing earlier bedtimes, a simple yet productive morning routine that includes prayer, devotional and breakfast together and slowly introducing new homeschool subjects. If I’m honest, our Fall rhythm is similar to our Summer rhythm, with a few differences. But if you are wanting an idea for a daily rhythm, here is how our days flow throughout the Summer.
5. Bring in Fall Inspired Meals
One of the coziest ways we to transition into Fall is by shifting our meals to match the season. After a Summer of cold or grilled dinners and grab and go snacks, I love returning to warm, nourishing foods. We start making more simple meals that fill the home with amazing Fall aromas like soups, stews and homemade breads. I also try to involve the kids in the kitchen with easy baking like pumpkin muffins or apple crisps. These meals not only nourish our bodies but help us enjoy gathering together, especially as our homeschool days start to pick back up.
A season of gratitude
Fall is a reminder that God is always working, even in the quieter, slower seasons. As the leave begin to change and the weather cools down, we lean into a season of gratitude, thanking Him for the things He’s done in our lives. Whether it’s a warm meal around the table, a completed homeschool lesson, or just the beauty of nature outside of our window, we take time to notice His goodness. Fall naturally invites us to slow down and reflect, making it a perfect season to practice gratitude.
Final thoughts
If your home feels a little wild right now and your homeschool plan is more like a rough draft than a blueprint, that’s okay. Transitioning from Summer to Fall isn’t about getting it done before a certain date. It’s really just a fresh start that you don’t have to earn. You just step right into it, one step at a time.
What is one way that you like to prepare your home, your heart, and your homeschool for the Fall season?
I’d love to hear how you make this transition meaningful for your family!
Let’s chat!