Embrace August: Tips for Moms to Savor Summer’s End

August, it’s here. Do you feel it? That sweet smell of coconut in the air, from sunscreen?

August: The Summer’s Finale – Savor the Season & Prepare with Peace

This morning it was HOT and HUMID, so characteristic of August in Arkansas. But I love it. Nothing a few splashes of cold water from my Watering Can cannot cure. I wake up very early in August. I make sure my vegetable plants and flowers get enough water before the HEAT comes on strong.

*Bounty from this morning’s harvest in my garden*

End of Summer… Some Encouragement for Moms

*Scarecrows come out to play* on my front porch in the middle of August

The days are still long and warm now, but the light has shifted ever so slightly. The breeze feels softer. The calendar is slowly filling with back-to-school nights and sports schedules.

And in the middle of it all, we’re caught between wanting to squeeze out every last drop of summer. At the same time, we need to gear up for what’s ahead.

I get it. I’m right there with you.

But here’s the truth: August doesn’t have to feel rushed or overwhelming. It can be a month where we choose to savor the simple. We can prepare with peace. We can step into a fresh season with hearts anchored in God’s goodness.

This post is here to help you do exactly that.

Set the Tone for a Fresh Season

One of my favorite parts of August is that it feels like a “mini New Year.” There’s a natural opportunity to reset routines, declutter our homes, and refocus on what matters most.

But instead of adding pressure to perform, what if we saw this month as a chance to ask God:

What do You want me to carry forward into this next season?
What can I release and leave behind?
How can I set a Christ-centered tone in my home as we head into the fall

*The* school supplies can wait, let’s squeeze a few more drops of enjoyment out of the last of summer

Pause and Savor What’s Left of Summer

If you are in the carpool years, and the kids are bouncing between sleepovers and sports camps. Take one of those evenings and make it special. Pick up takeout. Eat on a blanket in the backyard. End the evening with Popsicles under the stars.

*We’re over here savoring the simple in August*

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*I always invite a friend who has littles to a “end of summer picnic” in our backyard in August*

Got teenagers? or even young adults home for the summer? Set aside one night for a late-night drive. Roll the windows down and turn the music up. Those in-between conversations in the car often lead to the most tender moments.

August holds numerous opportunities to press pause. Take the time to look your people in the eye. Say, “I’m so glad we’re in this together.”

Bring Beauty into the Back-to-School Prep

I know many of us feel the pressure creeping in. There are supplies to buy and closets to clean out. We have meals to plan and college dorms to move into. But even these tasks can be done with a little more grace and joy than we often give ourselves.

Ask God About This

Don’t let your to-do list run you ragged. Ask God to show you how to bring beauty into the process.

With littles: Turn school supply shopping into an adventure. Let your preschooler pick a fun notebook and sit in the cart while you hand them items to “check off.” Snap a silly selfie in the store. Make it lighthearted.
With grade schoolers: Dedicate one afternoon to setting up a cheerful homework spot at home. Set up a fresh basket for supplies. Tape a few motivational Bible verses nearby. Add a small snack station. These elements can make the transition smoother.
With teens: Invite them to take ownership by setting their own routines. Sit down together and talk about healthy rhythms for screen time, homework, and rest before the busy season hits.
With college-bound kids: Make packing days more about the memories than the mess. Put on a favorite playlist. Order pizza. Don’t forget to pray together over their next chapter as you load the car.

*There can be beauty in the process of back to school preps*

We serve a God who cares about the details of our lives. He’s not asking us to do all the things perfectly.

Walk with God

He’s simply inviting us to walk with Him through it all.

Proverbs 16:3 reminds us, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.”

Set the Tone for a Fresh Season

One of my favorite parts of August is that it feels like a “mini New Year.” There’s a natural opportunity to reset routines, declutter our homes, and refocus on what matters most.

But instead of adding pressure to perform, what if we saw this month as a chance to ask God:

What do You want me to carry forward into this next season?
What can I release and leave behind?
How can I set a Christ-centered tone in my home as we head into the fall?

His Plans are For Our Good

Sometimes the answers are simple: lighting a candle during family dinner again. Setting aside Sunday afternoons for rest. Carving out a few minutes each morning for prayer before the house wakes up.

And sometimes, God will nudge you toward bigger changes. You might say no to one more activity to say yes to deeper connection at home. You could also commit to a new rhythm of Bible study with a friend for accountability.

Whatever He leads you to, remember that His plans are always for your good and His glory.

Look Ahead With Joy, Not Pressure

This month on the blog, I’ll be sharing various ways to make August meaningful. You can expect practical tips for getting organized. There will also be creative family activities. I’m excited to include ways to send summer out with a splash. (There’s a fun End-of-Summer Bash post coming later in the month that I can’t wait to share!)

*I sometimes get nervous at this time of the year. It feels like I might forget some essential part of the back to school preparation.*

You Don’t Have To Do It All

But here’s what I want you to know right now: You don’t have to do everything. Focus on what matters to make August special. I am talking to myself here, too!

Your kids don’t need a picture-perfect month. They just need a mom who’s present, loving, and pointing them toward the One who never changes.

Replace Pressure with Fun

*One of my favorite salads to serve in August… I’ll be sharing the recipe in a few weeks on the blog.*

Take the pressure off yourself to create Pinterest-level memories. Instead, choose a handful of things that feel life-giving for your unique family. And leave room for the Holy Spirit to surprise you with moments you couldn’t have planned.

Isaiah 43:19 says, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” God is already at work in this transition between seasons. Let’s trust Him to make something beautiful out of it.

This August, Let’s Be Intentional

Mama, this is your gentle reminder that you’re not behind, and you’re not alone.

You might be chasing a toddler through sprinklers.

Perhaps you’re buying a second set of dorm bedding because your firstborn is flying the nest. Or maybe you’re somewhere in between. God sees you. He’s with you in the small moments and the big transitions. And He delights in giving you the grace you need for each day.

So let’s step into August not with frantic hearts but with a spirit of intention. Let’s savor, prepare, and trust that the Lord has already gone ahead of us into the fall.

And let’s do it all with just a little bit of flair and fun. Because that always makes things better.

**Making the most of August with faith, family, and a little flair**… *I enjoy my August Coffee Station*

A Final Word of Encouragement

I’ll be walking alongside you this month with more posts full of ideas to help you and your family thrive. But for now, take a deep breath.

Look at the sunlight streaming through your kitchen window. Notice the way your child’s hair smells like sunscreen and popsicles. Say a prayer of gratitude for the season that’s been and a prayer of hope for the one to come.

This is the summer’s finale, and you’re doing beautifully.

“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” – Ecclesiastes 3:11

You Got This!

***Anchoring hearts in God’s goodness***
***as summer turns to fall.***

My Experiences in August

Every August, my family made it a point to have a “yard cleanup day.”

We’d spend the morning tidying flower beds and trimming bushes. We burned trash and debris and gathered fallen leaves. We worked side by side under the warm sun.

Then, as a reward, we’d spread out a picnic by the pool. There would be cool drinks, homemade sandwiches, and plenty of laughter. It was a perfect way to celebrate our hard work and the last sweet days of summer together.

August Holds the Heart of this Season

There’s so much magic wrapped up in the end of summer, and August holds the heart of this special season. School is just around the corner, and soon the leaves will start their beautiful dance of colors. My great-grandmother used to call this moment the “Sunday of Summer.”

Our Family Traditions in August

For my family, August meant our annual trip to the Jersey Shore. It was a time to celebrate my mother’s birthday. We were surrounded by the perfect blend of sun, sand, and gentle waves. It was truly the sweetest way to say goodbye to summer and welcome what was next.

*The grandsons wait excitedly. They want their Pop Pop to purchase tickets for Board Walk “rides” at Ocean City, Maryland. This moment was in August of 2017.*

Another of my favorite August rituals is rising early. I slip into a cool cotton dress. Then I quietly step out into the garden to gather fresh flowers for our cottage.

The morning air feels crisp and gentle, and the sun’s warmth is still soft in those peaceful hours.

My two lively pups trot happily alongside me. We wander through the little gardens I’ve lovingly tended around our home. The blooms will soon fade. The green will turn to brown. In August, the vibrant colors seem to plead for one last moment of attention. This happens before autumn sweeps them away.

“This morning, the sun endures past dawn. I realize that it is August: the summer’s last stand.”

— Sara Baume

Last Swim at the Local Pool

*One of my cherished August traditions is dedicating*
*an entire day to the local pool,*
*soaking up the sun and savoring every splash.*

It’s my way of honoring summer’s last sweet moments with a touch of fun and flair.

*My Last Day of August Celebration last year*: *I turn it into a little celebration, even dressing up a bit by coordinating my swimsuit, tote bag, and flip-flops to make the day feel extra special.*

Let’s Hear Your Traditions for August

I’d love to hear about your favorite August traditions, family activities, and little habits that make this season special. I try to make the end of summer memorable with unique rituals. Surely, I’m not the only one who does this during what Sara Baume beautifully calls the “Summer’s Last Stand.”

Oh, are you ready to savor the rest of summer? Prepare your heart and home for fall. Stay tuned, because there’s more to come on the Blog all month long!