October arrives like a glittery leaf storm—beautiful, chaotic, and somehow sticky. Between forgotten permission slips, last-minute costume requests, and the mysterious disappearance of matching mittens, fall parenting can feel like a full-time improv show.
But here’s the good news: you’re not alone. And with a little humor, a few hacks, and a whole lot of grace, you can turn this seasonal circus into something that feels more like a cozy campfire than a wildfire.
Field Trips & Forgotten Forms: The Art of the Backpack Dive
You know the drill. Your child casually mentions a field trip—tomorrow. You dig through their backpack like a raccoon in search of treasure, only to find crumpled permission slips, snack wrappers, and a single sock.
Mom Hacks:
– Keep a “school command centre” by the front door: clipboard, pens, calendar, and a stash of envelopes.
– Snap a photo of every permission slip before sending it back—just in case.
– Add field trip dates to your phone calendar the moment they’re mentioned (even if it’s vague like “sometime next week”).
Printable Checklist Idea:
✔ Backpack emptied nightly
✔ Permission slips signed and returned
✔ Field trip snacks packed
✔ Extra socks (because… always)
Free download a Momma Braga checklist, Backpack & School Checklist.pdf.
Costume Planning Without Losing Your Mind (or Glue Gun)
Halloween is magical—but also mildly terrifying for parents. One minute your child wants to be a cat, the next it’s a glow-in-the-dark taco with wings.
Mom Hacks:
– Start a costume bin early in October with basics: face paint, old clothes, cardboard, and fabric scraps.
– Let kids sketch their costume ideas—it gives them ownership and helps you plan.
– Embrace the “good enough” costume philosophy. Pinterest perfection is optional.
Memory Moment:
Remember the year your child wore a bedsheet and called it a ghost-sloth hybrid? That’s the stuff of family legend.
Free download a Momma Braga checklist, Costume Planning Checklist.pdf.
Homework Meltdowns & After-School Mayhem
As the days get shorter, so does everyone’s patience. Homework becomes a battleground, and dinner feels like a race against bedtime.
Mom Hacks:
– Create a “homework haven”—a quiet space with snacks, pencils, and zero screens.
– Use a timer for short bursts of focus (15 minutes on, 5 minutes off).
– Celebrate small wins: “You finished math without tears? That’s a parade-worthy achievement.”
Printable Checklist Idea:
✔ Homework station stocked
✔ Snack ready before meltdown
✔ Timer set for focus bursts
✔ Parent pep talk: “You’ve got this.”
Free download a Momma Braga checklist, Routine Checklist.pdf
The October Survival Kit: What Every Parent Needs
– A cozy sweater that doubles as emotional armor
– A stash of granola bars (for you and them)
– A sense of humor, even when the dog eats the spelling list
– A reminder: You’re doing enough. More than enough.
Bonus Tip:
Create a weekly “family huddle” every Sunday night. Review the week ahead, prep backpacks, and share one thing everyone’s looking forward to. It turns chaos into connection.
Free download a Momma Braga checklist, October Survival Kit for Parents.pdf
Final Thoughts: Embrace the Messy Magic
October is a whirlwind of glitter glue, permission slips, and pumpkin guts—but it’s also a season of connection. Of laughing through the madness, of showing up even when you’re tired, and of finding joy in the small wins.
So here’s to you, the parent juggling it all with grace and grit. May your coffee be strong, your checklists be checked, and your costume glue dry on time.
Until next time…Happy Parenting!
~ Momma Braga
