It’s gonna be May. Aside from the millennial nod to a certain boy band, this means that moms are heading into what many now consider the busiest month of the year for families. It’s on the same level of getting ready for the holidays but without the cheer and lights – hence Maycember.
May is the perfect storm of shifting seasons with spring sports and end-of-year activities. There are tournaments, concerts, field days, award ceremonies all while we are trying to switch wardrobes, fix the house and yard and prep for summer vacation. In May, we are planning for June, July and August while juggling Mother’s Day, Memorial Day weekend and graduations. Kids are worn out and staying up later with longer days. Weekends are fully booked and there’s no time to rest.
Write Out Your Calendar
Now is the time to get everything out of your head and into one place. As those emails come in for end-of-year events, field trips, spirit days, concerts, and celebrations, add them to your family calendar immediately. Don’t rely on memory or “I’ll do it later”—later is when things get missed.
For us, everything goes into a shared phone calendar between my husband and I so we’re both on the same page in real time. But I also like having a dry erase calendar in the kitchen where I can see the entire month at a glance. It helps me catch problems and prepare for what’s coming. When it’s all written down, your brain gets to let go of the juggling act, even just a little. In a month like May, that alone makes a difference.
Accept That You Can’t Do Everything
This is the mindset shift that makes everything else possible: you are not meant to do it all. May has a way of making every event feel important, but saying yes to everything often means stretching yourself so thin that you can’t actually enjoy any of it. It’s okay if you miss something. It’s okay if you don’t volunteer this time. It’s okay if your child doesn’t participate in every opportunity.
Instead, choose your priorities on purpose. Maybe that’s your child’s concert, their final game, and one family gathering. When you decide ahead of time what matters most, it becomes easier to let the rest go without guilt. You’re not dropping the ball – you’re protecting your capacity.
Simplify Your Days Wherever Possible
If there was ever a time to make life easier, it’s now. May is not the month for overcomplicating meals, overloading your schedule, or holding yourself to unrealistic standards at home. This is your permission slip to lean into convenience and simplify wherever you can. Think easy, repeatable dinners. Batch your errands instead of running out every day, and don’t be afraid to skip the non-essential ones entirely. The goal isn’t to do everything efficiently – it’s to do less, on purpose.
Plan Ahead Where You Can
While you can’t control everything May throws at you, a little bit of planning can go a long way in reducing last-minute stress. Take a few minutes at the start of each week to look ahead at what’s coming. Notice the things that tend to sneak up on you – concert outfits, themed school days, teacher gifts, end-of-season celebrations, holiday weekends. You don’t have to do anything elaborate, but having a simple plan in place means you’re not scrambling the night before.
Take Care of Yourself
When life gets busy for a mom, taking care of herself is usually the first thing to fall off the list. But in a month like May, it’s actually what helps you keep going. This doesn’t have to mean big, time-consuming self-care. Instead, focus on small, doable ways to reset throughout your day. Step outside for a few minutes of fresh air. Sit in your car for a moment of quiet before going inside. Drink your coffee while it’s still warm (or cold if you’re like me). Take a short walk, put your phone down for a bit, or just pause and breathe between activities. These tiny moments won’t fix the chaos, but they can help you feel a little more grounded. You deserve care, too—not just when things slow down, but right in the middle of the busiest season.
While May can certainly feel like a lot, remember that it’s because there’s so much to celebrate! Everything doesn’t have to be “perfect” for you to be able to enjoy it. Just be present with your kids.
