Sign Up for Self-Care

School is in. Heat is on its way out. Spirits are rising. That’s the state of August, as I know it.

I cherish the back-to-school season, and not just because I hoard office supplies. What I’m keenly aware of right now is feeling ready. The family calendar is filling in. Kids’ activities—it’s gymnastics and dance at our house—give shape to our routines. So far, it’s not overwhelming. So far, this amount of structure, anticipation, and enthusiasm feels just right.

But in another six weeks? In another six weeks, we’ll be in the thick of things. Projects. Homework. Sweaters. Festivals. Carpools. Before this all comes to pass, and we are swept along on the tide of page-a-day calendars and smart-phone alarms, it feels essential to take a breath (yes, now!) and then plan a little respite, a little something to look forward to, just for you.

“Nurturing ourselves is at the heart of nurturing our families.”

Athens offers so many activities to help unwind, nourish, and enrich yourself in a really positive, soul-supporting way. Here are a few that have my attention for the season that awaits:

"Labor" Day Mama-Baby Festival: Sept. 3

 Mother’s Circle: Sept. 6

Meet up with lots of parents of young children at the Full Bloom Pregnancy and Early Parenting Resource Center and reBlossom Mama-Baby reSale Shop “Labor" Day Mama-Baby Festival on Saturday, Sept. 3 (10am – 3pm, free) and connect with moms at Moms Time Out on Tuesday, Sept. 6 (7:30pm – 9:30pm, $3).

Chakra Workshop: Sept. 18

Be moved, body, soul, and chakras at The Yoga Shala Yoga through the Chakras workshop on Sunday, Sept. 18 (3pm – 6pm, $25)

Women’s Circles: Sept. 30 and Oct. 10

Join with other women in a positive, empowering way at a Womanspace event. The fall season Wise Woman Circle celebrates women’s friendships on Friday, Sept. 30 (6:30pm – 8:30pm, donation). Or dust off your journal and nourish yourself through writing—no experience required!—in the 8-week Women Writing their Lives series, beginning Tuesday, Oct. 11 (6pm – 7:30pm, $100).

Communication Workshop: Oct. 8

Practice communicating (with everyone! kids, colleagues, co-parent) in a more peaceful way at Earthsong’s Non-Violent Communication (NVC) workshop, Saturday, Oct. 8 (8:30am – 4:30pm, $50/person, $90/couple. Call Tina at 770.725.2667).

Parenting Workshop: Oct. 22

Athens Conscious Parents and Mamahhh (my blog for mothers) host Zen author Karen Maezen Miller for an afternoon of insight into easier parenting. Love Beyond Limits: Parenting as a Spiritual Practice is Saturday, Oct. 22 (1pm – 4pm, $40/person, $70/couple)

In the comments, please share other parenting- and mothering-focused events taking place in Athens this fall. Nurturing ourselves is at the heart of nurturing our families. Put that on a post-it on your bathroom mirror, moms and dads!

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Jennifer Derryberry Mann, editor of Belly Button Bliss: A Small Collection of Happy Birth Stories, blogs about navigating the labyrinth of motherhood one breath at a time at Mamahhh.com. She teaches prenatal yoga and mama-baby Yoga Bonding at Full Bloom. Her Nurture + Frolic column appears biweekly on Athens Patch.