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Hello and welcome to the Mom-entum Podcast! I’m your host, Tanya Valentine, and whether you’ve been listening since the beginning or you’re tuning in for the very first time, I want to thank you for being here. I know your time and attention are so valuable, and the fact that you’re choosing to spend some of it with me today—I don’t take that lightly.

If you clicked on this episode because you saw the title and you’re dreading the end of summer, you’re in the right place. Today, I’m going to share a reframe that will help you see this season in a whole new light—one that just might have you looking forward to this transition instead of resisting it.

 

But first, let’s catch up.

I took a break from recording new episodes this summer so I could soak up the time with my kids and also work on my new time management course I had planned to launch this fall. One of those two things happened. Spoiler alert—it wasn’t the course.

Instead, I had a full, beautiful, messy summer with my kids. There was plenty of fighting, plenty of yelling, and moments where I felt like, “What am I even doing? Am I failing at this whole parenting thing?” But there were also so many fun, joy-filled moments that I will always treasure.

Some highlights:

• Lots of playdates and afternoons at the YMCA water park here in town, where Lucia finally passed her swim test—such a proud mom moment.
   

• A three-week trip to Boston in July, visiting family and spending the Fourth of July on the lake where I grew up. Tubing, fishing, celebrating Serena’s third birthday, and yes—my first-ever cold plunge. Four minutes. Never again. Well, maybe.
   

• A day at Canobie Lake Park, where we rode every ride, got absolutely soaked on the Boston Tea Party ride, and danced our hearts out to a Taylor Swift impersonator who nailed every move.
   

• Beach days at St. Joe in Michigan—warm water, splash pads, ice cream from Kilwins, and even an impromptu Moana 2 movie night in the park.
   

It was a summer I know I’ll look back on fondly, even with the chaotic, less-than-perfect moments sprinkled throughout. And trust me, there were plenty of those, too—like realizing that the babysitter plan I thought was genius… totally flopped.

 

Fast forward to now: we are officially in our second week of school.

For the first time ever, both of my older kids are in school full-time. And wow—what a shift.

The quiet in the house feels almost strange… but in the best way. I feel lighter. My mood has lifted. I have more energy. I feel like I have space—not just physical space, but mental space. And moms, I know you know exactly what I mean when I say that.

 

Here’s the reframe I want to offer you today:
Back-to-school season isn’t the end of summer—it’s the beginning of a new rhythm.

As much as I love the spontaneity of summer, the truth is most of us thrive in some sort of structure. Routines help us feel grounded. They help our kids know what to expect. And when life inevitably throws us curveballs, it’s easier to recalibrate when we have a stable foundation to come back to.

And there’s actual data to support this shift. During the pandemic, when schools were closed, moms reported higher levels of stress, anxiety, and burnout. One study even found a spike in antidepressant use during that time, which dropped when kids returned to in-person learning. That tells me this—space and structure aren’t luxuries, they’re necessities.

So if you’re feeling guilty for enjoying that first cup of coffee in silence… let that go. You are allowed to exhale. You are allowed to enjoy this next season.

 

I want to share this with you: whenever you hit a point of frustration, overwhelm, or confusion, it often means you’re on the brink of growth. You’re about to learn something that will not only help you but will ripple out to your family, too.

That’s exactly where I am right now — learning, growing, and refining what works for me and my family.

 

And speaking of growth, I have a story for you…

A few weeks ago, I lost the center diamond from my wedding ring. Here’s what happened: I had just dropped Lucia off at cheering — her first year, and let me tell you, I had no idea how much of a commitment we were signing up for! Conditioning every day, Monday through Friday, for two weeks straight. But that’s another story for another day.

Anyway, I got home and made a beeline for the bathroom (I drink a ton of water and, honestly, have the bladder of an 80-year-old). As I’m washing my hands, I look down and realize…the diamond is gone.

Chris and I have been married for over 11 years, and the ring itself is about 13 years old. I later found out the prongs had worn down over time, which is why the stone slipped out. So here’s a little PSA: if you have an older ring with a large stone, take it in for inspections every so often — and make sure it’s insured!

Surprisingly, I didn’t panic. Chris took apart the sink, we searched everywhere, but no luck. My best guess? It fell out in the grass at Lucia’s cheer practice field. So if someone finds it one day, I hope it brings them some unexpected joy.

Thankfully, our insurance covered it. And just last week, I got my ring back — looking better than ever, with a slightly larger stone and even an appraisal showing it went up in value by $2,000!

This whole experience got me thinking about life. Sometimes, things have to break so we can start fresh. Sometimes, the things that feel like a loss or a setback are actually the bridge to something even better.

It’s a lot like flipping houses. First comes the demolition — everything looks chaotic, messy, and impossible to fix. But step by step, day by day, it all comes together. And when it’s done, it’s even better than before.

So if life feels like “demo day” for you right now, take a deep breath. Trust the process. Focus on just one step forward at a time — even if you don’t know exactly where you’re headed. Get curious about yourself. Ask questions. Pay attention to what sparks your interest or brings you joy.

And if you’re thinking, “But I’m not good at anything,” trust me — you are. Sometimes the things you’re best at are the ones you barely notice because they come so naturally to you.

If you’re feeling stuck, assessments like the CliftonStrengths test (I’ll link it in the show notes) can give you insight into your natural strengths. I took it years ago and learned my top strength is Harmony — which I’ve come to see is both a strength and a challenge. It helps me find common ground and avoid unnecessary conflict, but sometimes it keeps me from speaking up or rocking the boat.

And if you’re ready to take the next step in figuring out your strengths, your purpose, or even just your next step, sign up for a free coaching call with me. There’s zero pressure, and you can do it from anywhere — even while waiting in the car line.

 

 

Here’s the quick recap of today’s reframe:

1. Back-to-school isn’t an ending, it’s a reset.
    

2. Structure and routine help everyone thrive—kids and parents.
    

3. Space is healthy. It gives you energy, clarity, and the capacity to show up better for your family.
   
   Thank you so much for spending this time with me today. In the next episode, I’m going to dive into routines—how to create them, stick to them, and adjust them as life shifts.

And just so you know, I’m going back to releasing episodes every other week, and I plan to share more solo episodes so we can connect more deeply. I want to bring you the best value I can, sharing the tools, strategies, and lessons I’ve learned—not only as a mom, but as a former nurse, hairstylist, and now a life coach.

If today’s episode resonated with you, share it with a friend who might need this reframe too. And if you haven’t yet, take a quick second to rate and review the podcast—it means the world to me and helps this community grow.

Until next time, take a deep breath, embrace the quiet, and know that you are exactly where you need to be.