Why Autumn is Awesome for Dads. [No, It’s Not Because of Pumpkins]
Why Dads Love Autumn. [No, It’s Not Because of Pumpkins]
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Today my kids went back to school. Sort of.
I have mentioned in previous blogs that I am not a parent who enjoys back to school. I love having the kids home, planning day trips or things to do with them. I love the impromptu nerf war, the extra baseball practice time, the quality time that is harder to have during the school year.
Check out the Nerf Rival Guns that Isaiah and I use>>>
Having to get 2 little humans ready as part of the morning routine just compounds the morning chaos. The rigid schedule of going to bed is a necessary evil but I don’t enjoy it almost as much as they don’t.
The first 4 days of Isaiah’s school are half days and Izzy only has 2 days of school this week. They may as well have started after Labor Day but oh well.
Back to school and cooler mornings (until this mini heat wave that arrived today) can only mean one thing.
Autumn is approaching, and fast.
I love Autumn (Fall). It’s a reprieve from the hot weather but no blizzards usually and no extreme cold either.
It’s inevitable that end of August, early September we begin to see Halloween stuff, Apple Cider Donuts, and Pumpkin everything. Don’t get me wrong, I love Apple Cider donuts and Pumpkin pie, but we’ve gone overboard now.
Some stores even begin pushing Christmas stuff around this time. That’s just insane. Yet some people love it.
Some dads may disagree with me on some of these things. I am not a big fan of Halloween and I know some dads are.
Let’s Start with What I Do Not Like About Autumn
This list is probably going to be short.
First, I am not a fan of pushing the holidays so early. Christmas is at the end of December. We have to get through Thanksgiving first. Let’s be honest. Most dads are last-minute shoppers anyway so you’re not going to hook a dad on buying Christmas gifts in October.
I don’t get the Pumpkin craze. I like Pumpkin pie but I wouldn’t go out of my way for it. I am not going to go out of my way for a Pumpkin Triple Mocha Latte Super Espresso (I just made that up but you get my point).
I enjoy an Apple Cider donut but the amount of sugar in a donut is unreal, so I usually avoid them. If someone has an alternative that is worthy of being named an Apple Cider donut, by all means, please do share.
I don’t like raking. I just don’t. If you like it more power to you. Swing by my house anytime between October and November.
I do not. I like cutting the grass (I did it today, on the first day of the mini heatwave). I don’t mind shoveling snow so long as it’s not measured in feet. I do not like raking.
I do enjoy playing with the kids in the piles of leaves, but then you have to rake again.
That’s pretty much the whole list of Autumn dislikes.
What I Love About Autumn
Let’s start with the most important one.
September is filled with hope and endless possibilities. Football season has arrived, and the Yankees are annual playoff contenders. The Jets are usually a disappointment by the end of October, but I still have hope every season. This year looks promising so far.
It’s an exciting time in the sports world. And if you’re a Fantasy Football fan/participant then it’s even more exciting.
Draft day was yesterday. I think I have a good team. I tend to be in the top 25% of my leagues but have yet to win it all. I did make it to the final once.
I also play on FanDuel. I deposited money on FanDuel years ago and I am still playing with house money. I only do Football at this point because I did terrible with Basketball and Baseball
I am coaching Fall Ball..more fun! Coaching baseball is something I really enjoy, and the baseball field is my sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of my life. We have two months of decent weather to play games. And it keeps my son warm for the next season.
My favorite holiday of the year is Thanksgiving. There’s no pressure to find the perfect gift and it’s all about family. It’s the 3 F’s. Family, Food, and Football. How can you not love Thanksgiving?
It’s hoodie season. I love my hoodies. So much comfort all in one article of clothing. I prefer UA Hoodies but also have a few custom hoodies. It might be time to create a Dad Tax Hoodie.
Check out the UA Hoodies on Amazon>>>
There are lots of fairs and carnivals in early Autumn. The fairs are great in my area, as I imagine they are everywhere.
And finally, as I mentioned earlier it’s cooler weather. I have lived in Connecticut all my life. Winters a brutal. Summers are brutal. There can be a 125-degree difference between February and July on any given year. They are extremes of each other. As I write this on August 27th it was 94 degrees today. It’s currently 7:30 pm and it’s still 86 degrees. Uncalled for. Tomorrow and Wednesday are supposed to be worse.
The last 5 or 6 Winters have also been brutal. One was the coldest on record. We had a record-breaking blizzard in 2013. Last year was the mildest it’s been in a while.
Fall and Spring are really the best weather. I love Fall weather. So long as there are no freak Halloween blizzards. We have had a few of those in recent years too.
Stop the Pumpkin Madness
I get it. Pumpkin is tasty. Now there’s pumpkin beer, pumpkin coffee, pumpkin cookies, and muffins. I think I saw pumpkin spaghetti. What? Is there a pumpkin pizza yet?
You’re ruining pumpkin for everyone. And if there is a pumpkin pizza then you’re ruining pizza.
The truth is without four seasons you can’t really appreciate Autumn. If we didn’t have the extremes of Winter and Summer, then Autumn wouldn’t seem like such a great season. I imagine people who have lived in Florida all their lives probably don’t get it.
But no matter where you live most dads will agree that the other reasons I love Autumn are indeed great reasons to love the season. The sports world is buzzing. Thanksgiving is coming. And my sanctuary..the baseball field with my team, who like the Jets are full of hope and promise. Somehow I believe they will outperform the Jets.
Now let me go tweak my Fantasy line up and see who didn’t get drafted that might be a sleeper.
I can’t stand the early push for the holidays!! The fact that there is already thanksgiving and christmas decorations sneaking into stores really gets me. It’s like we can’t enjoy where we currently are, always looking toward the next things.
Yep, the Christmas trees will be going up in BJs and Walmart any day now.
I don’t agree with pushing holidays promotions either. It’s so strange to see Christmas items advertised in October! For me, autumn is all about the colors!
Autumn is just awesome in general. No arguing that WHAT SO EVER! I am so pumped for this season!
I am not a dad, but I agree with most of these! 🙂 I do love pumpkin spice things though. I hate that Hobby Lobby already has all of their Christmas decorations out. I hate Halloween and we dont celebrate it. We homeschool, so I still get to enjoy time doing fun things with my kiddos in much cooler weather! 🙂
I love all seasons. Each one has a unique beauty and we should enjoy all of there pleasures.
Is it weird that I handle 95 degrees in the Carribean better than 95 degrees in CT?
Lol, so much of this is spot on. Autumn is amazing. I also loved having the kids around for day trips. And the first few days of getting up, ready and out the door is so stressful. But I look forward to hearing about all the new friends and activities at dinner time too.
Yes, the first few days of school are ongoing conversations about their new classmates, old friends and new teachers.
I really don’t like the early push for the holidays–the last thing I want to hear are Christmas songs in September or even October. I happen to love pumpkin but generally only eat it as a pie. I adore sloshing through the fallen leaves and observing the marvelous colors as I drive along the highways. I really appreciate the cooler weather–this summer has been horrendous!
I technically have no idea about it because I am neither a mom or a dad. But yeah close friend of mine who is also a dad and single father might get it.
The holidays seem to come earlier and earlier every year. All of a sudden, its Thanksgiving then Christmas and I’m cooking pumpkin everything. Well, I don’t mind the pumpkin everything that much but I understand your love-hate relationship with the fall.
No idea about being a dad, but I certainly love autumn, and lol, definitely not because of pumpkin.
Yes! When I think of Autumn I think of football and harvest like decorations! Love Autumn too!
I’m busy too so it’s hard to get ahead of everything. We also have to get through each holiday first. lol
I am a mom that loves Fall as well, for the most part. I agree on pushing Holidays too early though.. like Halloween isn’t in August and we need to get through November before Christmas.
Exactly. I cannot even think about Thanksgiving and Christmas when it’s 96 degrees outside….in CT
I am so glad someone else isnt a pumpkin fan!!! Like I love Autumn. love so much about it. but not the stupid pumpkin flavored crap ugh. anyway great read!
Ha ha, tell them how you really feel!
I love autumn! The summer in Tokyo has been so bad that I’m well ready to bid goodbye to. However, with that said, I see Halloween decorations (a few Christmas pieces too) and winter clothes in store already. We all just need to slow down and not push the holidays so early, like you said. I loved reading this through the perspective of a dad – thank you!
I love the fall and I do love pumpkins too =) I live in Florida and while we do not get the changing of the leafs we do have lower temperatures that make things much better. Like going to the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot =) And like you love hoodies and fall and winter in FL is perfect to wear a light hoodie to enjoy the outdoors.
I see what you did there..trying to make me want to visit Florida.
what a great read! Even though i hate to see summer go, love fall and you touched on all my favorite parts of fall.
Thank You
Too bad.. we don’t have autumn in Malaysia.. all year long also so hot and same weather….
I’m so jealous you have the chance to enjoy the Autumn craze, wherein here in Dubai we only have 2 which are called the crazy Heat wave & cold season. I love early shopping for Christmas though it’s a little weird but I do get discounts during off season. I laughed when you’ve mention about the pumpkin madness’ I feel sorry for the pumpkins on your place as it is being abused to the fullest LOL.
I really want to visit Dubai one day! From what I have seen it is a beautiful place to visit.
Enjoyable read! Autumn is undoubtedly a colorful and peaceful season. I can’t say more about vacation because I’m not a mom, dad or even student but really like your “likes and don’t like”.
Thanks!
I am not drafting this year. I used to think it was a blast to play though!
The draft is usually the best part for me. Like the Jets it’s usually down hill from there.
OMG right? I was at the dollar store the other day and they already have CHRISTMAS stuff out on the shelves! Like come on, it is still August, the kids haven’t even gone back to school here yet. I love Christmas but not in August, or September, I do shop in October/November but that is because of the DEALS lol.
I loathe black Friday but I do like cyber Monday. I think you just gave me an idea for a blog post.
Autumn is a nice season for me because anytime from now you will see people stand their Christmas tree and put their colorful decors.
Autumn really is the best time of the year…not just for Dad’s!
School in Nova Scotia starts the day after Labour Day, which here in Canada is the first Monday in September. I also dislike the push with the holiday promotions so early. One of the great things about living in Asia for almost 18 years was the lack of western holidays. Although, that is changing. In many Asian countries, Christmas is now a commercialized event, even if the country does not officially recognize the holiday.
I absolutely love fall and will also say that I hate racking leaves as well! Plus I’m a fan of football season so another bonus for fall!
You’re OK in my book
For me, autumn is really a beautiful season of the year because summer seasons end and Christmas seasons are nearly coming.
This is such an interesting post! Autumn is a great season, I love the cosy feelings and hot chocolates and of course pumpkins too lol
I completely agree with you that the early push for holidays is ridiculous but so are the every day is a “day” for something…ie. Donut day. That’s just the way our society has developed and we have to stick to what’s important to us and our family and it seems like you are doing a great job!
I mean donut day is a great day! I really try to avoid donuts though. It’s been a while since I had one. While they taste great they are horrible for you and give me heartburn
Football season has arrived!- HAHA! This thing really got me. Though I’m a woman I just recently travelled to Newcastle just to watch football live. What I love about autumn is the fashion 🙂
I think I should clarify that I was referring to American football. I forget that the rest of the world calls soccer football. I am not much of my fashionista. My wife can attest to that.
Great post for Dads. Since I’m not a dad I’m going to start decorating my house with pumpkins…. EVERRYWHERE
You monster!! Just kidding, carry on.
I’m a fan of Autumn, but probably not for the reasons that you are. I just love that the heat finally goes (even if just for a bit).
This is so true! I love the fall, and everything it brings. Well, not the early pushing of the holidays. I do love the sports rush, fall leaves, and everything pumpkin!
This is such a nice post and I really enjoy reading this. Autumn is a nice season for me because is the time for us planning for our Halloween party and soon for Christmas party.
We also love fall – the cooler weather and visits to the local Pumpkin Patches. My husband loves fall because of the college football.
Watching college football is great but as a sports fan I just cannot keep up with all of it.
There’s so much more to the festivity than pumpkins – that is right! 🙂 Autumn, in general, is a good season. It brings lots of hopes with it! Cheers!!
I love autumn because we can go outside! It’s so nice to be able to go for walks or play at the park. Heck, I even just like that I’m not always so sweaty! haha!
Isn’t it great, no instantaneous sweat from 97 degree days with high humidity…
Autumn is just beautiful that ends summer and welcomes christmas season. I do love it very much! Nice enjoyable blog.
I love Autumn because not so hot in Hong Kong (still hot but at least not 37 degrees)
Are you sure it’s not because of pumpkins? Autumn is great though, especially a warm one.
We love autumn and seeing fall foliage. It’s so much fun to go apple or pumpkin picking.
I do plan on taking the kids to go Apple picking. There are lots of orchards near me!
I can imagine how stressful back to school can be for parents. There is so much planning to do. Haha I can totally get you on the over pumpkin. There really is too much pumpkin things…I’ll stick to apple cider.
I love autumn here in Australia but it hits around May for us. We dont do anything pumpkin here and its crazy to me to see everything pumpkin the USA does! lol Here its either roasted pumpkin in a roast or maybe a soup for lunch … thats the extent of it otherwise its never mentioned lol.
I am looking forward for our autum in USA with out little one and the PSL drink for sure gets all the things done 😁👍🏼
I absolutely am a fan of Fall the most out of all the seasons. I love the temperatures of the weather and all the different colors changing to warm tones.