The holidays can be filled with so much joy, but there’s something about this time of year that can also make us hyper anxious and even disappointed. I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase, “comparison is the thief of joy” and I think this rings true 10 fold around the holidays. 

As someone who didn’t grow up with many holiday traditions, the prospect of building traditions into my new family were both exciting and daunting. How does one go about picking traditions? How do you pick the “right” ones? Turns out, there’s no secret formula, but I have some tips on how to create a more peaceful family rhythm this time of year, gleaned from lots of personal mistakes.  

1. Let go of expectations. If you have small kids, know in advance that things won’t go perfectly. Kids will melt down, they won’t like the food you so thoughtfully prepared, they will refuse to put on those ice skates (🙄), or everyone will just be tired and want to go home. It’s okay. The goal is not perfection. The goal is spending time with those important to you. Trying things out. Seeing what works for your specific family. Which leads me to…
2. Take advantage of free things. When your family is young, take advantage of lots of free holiday outings. Fortunately Chicago is full of these, and they offer a low impact opportunity of seeing what does and doesn’t work for your family. They great thing about free activities are that if a meltdown occurs, or you just realize it wasn’t for you, you go home and don’t feel bad for having wasted tons of money!
3. In the same vein, don’t feel like you need to do everything. Start by picking out 2-4 bigger things, that you’ll maybe spend filling out your weekends in December. Maybe pick one place you’ll spend money on. Don’t be afraid to find ways to save money on ticketed items too! I’m a die hard library loyalist, and if you search the library database, you can snag free tickets to the Museum of Science and Industry (as a Chicago resident) and enjoy their Christmas trees from around the world—an almost $100 value!
4. Keep in mind your kids ages. Do you have dreams of visiting the Russian tea room or seeing the Nutcracker this time of year, but have a 2 year old? I know I do! Don’t sweat it. Your time will come. I know it’ll be well worth the wait when the kids are older, and we can all enjoy the experience more. Another great way to enjoy these more mature outings is to have a adults only night! This is something I want to try this year, and maybe start a new tradition!
5. Consider a social media break. I know, this one may feel difficult. It’s so fun to see what everyone is up to this time of year! It’s so great to see what kinds of holiday sales your favorite shops have? But wait…is it? This was one of the first signs for me that I needed an extended social media break. I found that I felt especially anxious around this time of year because I noticed everyone’s holiday experiences seemed to be picture perfect, and I knew mine were secretly floundering behind the scenes. Yes, you’ll be saying goodbye to sharing all your experiences with the world too, but I think you may find they become extra special when you aren’t focused on packaging them up to present.
6. Stand back and enjoy. Almost every year we’ve had some debacle around an experience I’ve tried to have. The gingerbread houses kept falling apart and the kids ONLY wanted to eat candy. I became the sole baker for our holidays cookies to be dispensed to neighbors and friends (meaning I spent around 8 hours solo baking) because my kids lost interest. But you know what’s funny? My kids are already excited about the holiday season and talking about gingerbread houses. Turns out, they’re not the ones after perfection. Turns out, they remember the time you spent with them, making messes, and creating memories. I think we may finally be onto this whole tradition making thing.

I hope you have a lovely and peace filled holiday season this year with those closest to you!

Okay, confession time.

I’m actually a very recent fall convert. Feels like an unpopular opinion here in Chicago, so I’m ready for backlash. 

But really. I used to think until not that long ago that there weren’t any redemptive qualities to the temperatures dropping. Like hello, why would you not want to live at 75 degrees permanently?! 

But as my kids have started to get to ages where traditions can become more tangible, and where their ability to involve themselves in more seasonal activities increase, I see the real joy in leaning into the change that seasons offer. 

For example, leaf dipping in wax is such a cool activity, that we can only do this time of year, at least with the colors available to us. And this soup, just doesn’t taste the same when made in the middle of summer. Reading a book and snuggling up with a cup of tea just hits differently too, doesn’t it? I’ve also just gotten really into pumpkins…

You know what else I love about this time of year? Documenting families. While I photograph families indoor all year long, they just feel right as the temperatures drop and we turn inward, celebrating our life and family in our homes. 

I’ve got a few sweet family sessions up on the blog that I am super excited to share. Take a look at this adorable family or this sweet little newborn. 

Interested in getting on my fall calendar? Just reply to this email and I’d be happy to get you more info!

I’m all about those family photos that help you remember what your family felt like, not just what you looked like ;)

One more thing, if just the thought of prepping your whole family for a photo session stresses you out, download my free guide to getting the whole family photo ready

If you find yourself wanting photos of you and your family that capture you all in a way that doesn’t just remind you what you look like, but what your family feels like, send me an email. I’d love to chat with you! In the mean time, if you want to see some more lovely family sessions, you might enjoy this post or this one.

One more thing, if just the thought of prepping your whole family for a photo session stresses you out, download my free guide to getting the whole family photo ready

Brand photography content created for MotherMag, sponsored by childcare company, Vivvi.

Looking for fresh brand photography for yourself? I’d love to chat with you! In the meantime, grab my free brand photoshoot checklist here.

This past month has been a bit of a whirlwind for my family as we moved in the beginning of the month and I also started kindergarten at home for my oldest. As intense as the beginning of September felt, I have to say I’m really enjoying the change of season and new rhythms we are finding.

The slight dip in temperature has also been really refreshing and I find myself daydreaming about wrapping up in a sweater, hopefully soon.

We’re taking a brush drawing class that I’m doing alongside my kids and we’re all really loving it. 

It’s inspiring me to practice by recreating our little nature finds, and it turns out fall just so happens to be my favorite time of year for nature collections.

All of the seeds we find, especially the nuts falling from the majestic trees has me feeling a certain kind of reverence to nature and it’s necessary cycles of life. I’ll stop before I just get way to sappy about my love of trees. (No pun intended ) ;)

As always, these little rituals of family help me to slow down and strengthen my desire to help you hold onto these moments that are going by too quickly. It’s such an honor to continue to document families in their homes, and help them to preserve these memories that remind them of these days.

If you find yourself wanting photos of you and your family that capture you all in a way that doesn’t just remind you what you look like, but what your family feels like, send me an email. I’d love to chat with you! In the mean time, if you want to see some more lovely family sessions, you might enjoy this post or this one.

One more thing, if just the thought of prepping your whole family for a photo session stresses you out, download my free guide to getting the whole family photo ready!