A brand new club and Bookshelf is back.

Turning paid subscribers back on, meet me after school?

"September is the other January." - Gretchen Rubin

I think we are all in agreement that September has that whisper of new starts, sharpened pencils and a fresh page in our notebooks, waiting for us to plan the final chapter of the year. What will yours look like I wonder?

In the spirit of new beginnings, I am here to let you know about two things that are starting up from next week.

After School Club is open!

If you hang out on the small social media app called Instagram, may I be so bold as to distract you from scrolling through Reels of unrealistic Halloween food creations (yup I’ve tried them), and invite you to join me at 4pm each week day for my After School Club?

I have some activities and inspiration for you planned already and I’m excited to get started. There will be ideas for keeping the kids entertained after school, as well as a general check in for what lies ahead the next day. (There is bound to be a form forgotten in the jungle of admin tasks or a homework paper stuffed at the bottom of the school bag.)

I find the time after school is when I am most likely to stick the TV on, as I finish off client work, empty the packed lunch boxes and start the tea. The TV will keep the kids entertained so I can get these jobs done. There’s nothing wrong with a bit of TV, especially after school as the kids need some time to just switch off from the day before settling into home. In fact, why not put the TV on for twenty minutes while you prep snack (or even better get them to do this themselves!) and plan what you are going to do with the kids. I find even if I spend ten minutes fully engaged in an activity with them, we all feel more productive. Perhaps have a mug of coffee first 🫠

I will most likely still have work to be getting on with and I definitely will be needing to make the tea. So the plan is to find an activity that you can START with your children and then leave them to carry it on, while you do the jobs that need doing. This will look different in every household, so you do you.

Follow me over at bybethaniewardell and I will see you on Monday (23rd September) 🍂

Once Upon a Bookshelf is re-opening with extra content!

Also kicking off next Friday (27th) is my paid membership on here.

I closed the doors at the start of the summer because I was being realistic with my expectations. And it worked! This summer I definitely felt like I had a better grip of my work/life balance while the kids were off school. But now they are back, I am excited to be writing to you every Friday and really hope you would love to join me.

If you were a paid member already, I will be switching the membership back on. I think Substack will send you a notification making sure you are still happy with this? Let’s find out…

Once Upon a Bookshelf is an invite to join me as we switch off from the week of work and settle ourselves into the weekend.

In 2019, I experienced burn out, grief and disappointment. It was a mixed bag and has taken me a while to be kinder to myself and more optimistic. But I do know now, how important it is to embrace the small things that light up our hearts. For me, that is being able to switch projects from “work” to my “passion projects” (thanks to my pal Claire for this term.) I know I need to listen and spend time with my children whilst having adventures and then cosying up. This is what makes me happy. Your happiness will of course look different but let’s explore what “getting ready for the weekend” looks like to you.

This time, you will receive your Friday invite from me as well as some journalling prompts to help you zone in on that very important person - you ❤️ I will also be sending out short stories, recipes and seasonal “fluff” that I love and hope you will too.

I am off now to work on my chapter book as I have a deadline I am working towards, as well as a meeting to prepare for. Also, the food shop has just been delivered and half of it is still lying on the kitchen floor. Thursday is a busy one!

In the words of Tigger “TTFN” 👋🏻