Transitions are most kids’ least favorite thing, and fall is full of them. Let’s talk through the months ahead and some ways to power through the fun but tricky transitions this season brings.
The Weather
In our neighborhood, the green leaves are just starting to fade and we’ve had our first days below 80 degrees. On one hand it’s a relief, and on the other we find ourselves clinging to temperatures where we can effortlessly send our kids outside after school to bike/skate/play.
It’s been a bit of a shock to realize some mornings are chilly enough our kids might need a jacket. After months of pool days and waterfights, we’d almost forgotten jackets exist. But it turns out they still do, and if yours got lost in storage or your kid somehow grew two sizes over the summer, our new fleece has you covered.
Our DreamCatcher Luxury Fleece is a super soft quarter zip with just the right amount of stretch to make it easy for your little dude to pull on and off, and then probably stuff in his backpack for you to find three days later.
It comes in eight new Southwestern-inspired patterns, all using earth tones that keep them versatile enough to throw over any tee. (It’s that leopard print phenomenon other Moms will know, where yes, it’s a pattern but somehow it functions as a neutral.)
If you’re looking for something more streamlined, we also have four fleeces in solid colorways: black, blue, pistachio, and bone.
During transitional weather months, all the above are perfect for throwing over a new tee. If you haven’t shopped the new collection, be sure to check it out. Probably our fave is the Surf Console tee, maybe because it has a similar vibe to this summer’s Quik collab, or Lake Division for taking us back to the freshest logos of the late ‘90s.
The After School Meltdown
The structure fall brings is a lifesaver for most parents, but it’s also the reason there are so many transitions. Waking kids up, getting them to the breakfast table, getting them dressed, taking them to school – it’s an overload of transitions, often all before 9am. And then when they get home from school, the whole thing happens in reverse. Kids are tired and sometimes cranky, and the after-school struggle can be real.
Here are a just a few things we have seen work well for helping kids handle the school-to-home transition better:
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Go home slow
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Let your kids take their sweet time coming home. Whether that means walking slowly, hanging out at the playground after the bell rings to quiet their overstimulated mind by moving their body, or waiting for them to tell you how their day was instead of you asking a million questions.
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Snacks matter
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Food is about nourishment, yes, but for kids it’s also about comfort. Having a solid snack waiting when kids get home can really ease their transition. It gives them something to do when they first walk in, and can be an ice breaker to get them talking about what went on at school that day.
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Do something creative
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We’re not saying you have to be prepped to make award-winning Pinterest crafts. Try pulling out your stash of Play Doh, kinetic sand, or simple art supplies and have them on the kitchen table next to their snack. It’s another chance for something to do with their bodies so they can regulate their emotions back to home mode.
These transitions are always tough, and it’s probably best to expect some resistance and of course tailor whatever you’re doing to fit the kids you know best.
The Wardrobe Overhaul
One final but often overlooked fall transition is the overhauling of kids’ wardrobes from season to season. From switching out closets, to putting clothes in bins, to wondering what will fit next year, all of it is a headache. Why did no one tell us we’d need an extra bedroom just to store off-season clothes?
While you can’t fully hack your way out of this chore (unless you’ve figured out a way, please tell us!), one thing that eases it is having long sleeve tees on hand.
We find the long sleeve tee is the one item that’s never not in our kids closet rotation. Even in the hottest summer months, we’re pulling them out for chilly beach nights or early morning hikes. In summer, we find ourselves using them as an outer layer, and in winter they’re a base layer. That leaves zero months of the year where they’re costing us unnecessary rent.
We’ve got a new roundup of long sleeve shirts you can shop now. If we had to pick a favorite, it would be a three-way tie between Frozen Ocean, Kick & Push, and Slash City. These 100% cotton tees are the ultimate mix of style and comfort, and you’ll find your kid reaching for them all year long.
Happy PSL Season
Wherever this fall takes you (and we hope it takes you on a ride) we’re stoked as always you choose BinkyBro to outfit your little groms. We’re wishing you a smooth ride through all the transitions ahead. Don’t forget to tag us on your way!
