There’s something about this time of year - the fall. Even if you’re not sitting in a classroom anymore or sending kids off to the first day of school, you can probably feel it—the shift that comes with back-to-school season.

Saying "I don't know" is one of those throwaway phrases that we add in to buy ourselves more time to think. To delay or defer having to come up with something on the spot. But while it might seem harmless, it might actually be costing you something.

As a working mom, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle of daily life, rushing from one task to the next, juggling multiple roles, and striving to do it all. But what if I told you that one of the most powerful tools you can use to enhance your productivity, improve your relationships, and reduce stress is simply saying less?

The new year often brings a sense of fresh beginnings and a chance to reset, but for parents, it also marks the beginning of a season full of the unexpected. Here's a practical guide to navigating those unexpected changes to your schedule without losing your mind.

For me, and most of the working moms I talk to, a normal week would be one where you work your regular schedule with few surprises, your kids go to daycare or school or are with the nanny for those same hours, and in general your plan for the week matches reality. The outcome is what you expected. A "normal week" is predictable. There are no surprises and that makes us feel in control. But what most parents learn pretty quickly (or not so quickly for some) is that those weeks, the normal ones, are few and far between.

With so much coming at us - events, celebrations, activities, and more - I wanted to share with you the 4 most common mistakes that I see working moms make during the holiday season. My hope is that knowing what to watch out for will help save you so much time, energy, and even some disappointment along the way. Avoiding these mistakes is about doing things differently this season so that you can be more relaxed and calm amidst the chaos.

Planning for the unexpected. It's a topic that comes up repeatedly because as a parent, you know that things are constantly changing. Something almost always comes up. It's why one podcast listener asked, "what's the point of even planning when you have kids? If it's all going to change, isn't that just time that you wasted creating a plan?"

If I could compare October to something, I would say it's like sitting at the top of that first, very big roller coaster hill. 🎢 It's that moment of pause where you know what's coming and it's both terrifying and exciting. You know that as soon as you reach the tipping point, you'll go flying down the other side at top speed! October is when the ride really gets rocking and rolling as you zoom through the last two months of the year.  Regardless of if or what holidays you celebrate, or whether your kids are in school yet or not, there's so much that's packed into this time of year and it can be a challenge to stay just one step ahead.

But what about enjoying the ride?

Last week, after a particularly trying morning with the kids, I walked home after school drop-off with tears in my eyes. I was physically tired. Rushing around, packing lunches, filling water bottles, holding hands, and wiping tears takes a toll. But I was even more mentally tired.

We think of patience as a skill. Something we need to learn and practice. Something that parenting experts can help us with by providing the phrases and scripts to use in those frustrating situations. But you could have the best strategies, phrases, or skills and still react impatiently if you're overwhelmed.

Every Tuesday night for the last 6 months, I've finished my dinner, said "see ya later" to my family, and walked up to my office for 2 hours of coaching class. The program started in the middle of winter when the sky was already dark and I remember having to will myself to stay awake when all I wanted to do was curl up under a blanket and relax. Now that it's summer, I've spent the last few months sitting inside while my kids are out back playing and having fun in the warmer weather. 

I'd be lying if I said it didn't feel like a pretty big sacrifice on my time. 

Do you find yourself rushing from one thing to the next? Grabbing your to-go mug of coffee while putting on your shoes and asking everyone if they've gone potty while you rush out the door with zero seconds to spare. Or slamming the laptop closed as soon as you hit send on that last email as you rush to not be the last parent at pick-up today. It's not that you mismanage your time. It's that there's just so much to squeeze in. And you want to get as much out of your time as possible.