August: The Sunday of Summer and a Time for Gratitude
There’s a phrase that circulates among educators every year:
“August is the Sunday of summer.”
It’s so true. As the school year begins to loom, I find myself caught in a familiar emotional tug-of-war.
On one hand, I’m excited for the routine and structure that fall brings—for my students, and especially for my own children. On the other hand, there’s an ache. Another summer with my little men is slipping through my fingers. I think about the closets I didn’t organize, the miles I didn’t run, and the bucket list adventures that stayed on the list.
It’s a lot.
But here’s the thing: Unlike Sunday, which comes and goes in a single blur of meal prep and to-do lists, August (at least where I live) offers me nearly three full weeks before school begins. And this year, I’m choosing to spend them differently.
Choosing Gratitude in the Final Weeks of Summer
I’m drawing inspiration from the field of positive psychology, where researchers like Dr. Robert Emmons and Dr. Martin Seligman recommend a simple but powerful practice:
Write down three things each day that you’re grateful for.
Some days, I jot down far more than three.
Most of my gratitude moments revolve around my kids—tiny shared moments, spontaneous laughter, messy joy. And reflecting on those helps me prioritize how I want to spend these final weeks of summer.
Our End-of-Summer Bucket List
My husband and I sat down with our boys and created a simple summer bucket list. Just a few things they really want to do before school starts again.
It wasn’t elaborate—just honest. It gave us direction without pressure. And more importantly, it reminded us to put joy and connection at the top of the list.
Letting Go of the Guilt
Will I finally tackle that upstairs closet—overflowing with hand-me-downs, extra bedding, and mystery backpacks? Maybe.
Will I build the chicken coop I’ve had on my vision board for a year? Possibly not.
But here’s what I will do:
I’ll sit on the porch with my boys.
I’ll swim, hike, and maybe even stay up too late catching fireflies.
I’ll soak up their desire to still play with me.
My oldest enters middle school this year, and I feel the bittersweet shift coming. Time for chores and projects will return. But this August, I’m putting my children first.
Final Thoughts
If August feels like your Sunday of summer, I hope you’ll take a breath and join me in slowing down. Reflect. Be grateful. Choose presence over pressure.
Because closets can wait. But childhood doesn’t.
