Founder's Perspective: Back-to-School, New Routines, and My Pelvic Health Reality

The start of a new school year always brings a shift in energy. The rhythm of summer fades, and suddenly we're knee-deep in lunchboxes, carpool logistics, and big feelings (from both the kids and the grownups). This year, the transition hit a little differently: both of my girls and my husband started new school routines—and I found myself figuring out a brand-new daily structure, too.

If you're in that same boat, especially while managing pelvic health, working from home, or simply trying to stay grounded—I see you. Here's a peek into what this season looks like for me, and how I'm learning to give myself grace as we settle in.

The Shift From Summer to School-Year Chaos

Summer break felt full in the best way—lazy mornings, everyone home, and a little more wiggle room in the schedule. But once August hit, we flipped the script. My husband and both girls headed back to school, and just to keep things interesting, they’re spread across three different campuses with three different start and end times. Coordinating drop-offs and pick-ups became a puzzle I’m still trying to solve.

We're also back to packing lunches and snacks, which is no small feat. We’re experimenting with the school lunch offerings to see if the girls like them enough to ditch the packed lunches (fingers crossed). My husband and I have to keep our own meals covered too, and one thing that’s been an absolute game-changer is the meal service we use. We get 15 meals each week from it, and it removes so much of the daily mental load.

My mother-in-law also stepped in like a superhero. She brought over two of her crockpots to add to our third, and we batch-prepped over 50 individual meals to freeze and pull from when life gets busy. I can't even tell you how grateful I am to have that freezer stash when the clock hits 12:30 and I realize I haven’t eaten.

There are definitely big emotions all around as we adjust—excitement, overwhelm, stress, and a lot of deep breaths.

Routine Shifts = Body Shifts

One thing I’ve learned the hard way: our pelvic floors don’t care about school schedules. With the shift in routines, my body’s needs haven't changed, but the time and space I have to support them has.

I was in such a good groove with Pilates and Burn Boot Camp during the summer. But now? My morning Pilates class overlaps with school drop-offs, and I had to cancel two Burn classes last week because the girls weren’t up for coming with me after school. I’m trying to give myself grace and embrace my mantra for this season: progress over perfection.

I’m also doubling down on the basics that help me feel like myself: hydration, fiber, and protein. Nothing fancy—just the essentials that keep my energy and digestion stable. And one thing I really noticed this past month? How much my supplement routine impacts my hormonal and pelvic health. I got off track over the summer (as one does), and two periods ago I really felt the difference—more discomfort, more headaches, more everything. I made it a point to get back to consistency, and this cycle was noticeably smoother. It's a reminder that even small routines can have a big impact.

Finding the New Rhythm

With so many moving parts, I'm learning to let go of the idea that every day will run smoothly. Some days I get to take a peaceful lunch break and listen to my audiobook in the sun. Other days, I’m shoveling bites of food in while prepping for a 1pm Zoom I’m already late for.

But here’s the thing: that doesn’t mean I’m failing.

Right now, I’m defining success by identifying the non-negotiables—like eating, moving my body a little, and staying hydrated—and letting the rest be flexible. I’m writing this on a Saturday afternoon while Clint plays with the girls. That’s what works today, and that’s enough.

Pelvic Health Update: Periods, Pessaries, and the Flex Disc

Because life loves to keep us on our toes, my period showed up right in the middle of this transition (of course). My pelvic floor PT (PFPT) had suggested trying the Flex Disc because it has the largest diameter of the reusable discs and might help it stay in place without my pessary.

I wasn’t quite ready to try only the disc with no pessary out of the house yet—but I did try wearing the Flex Disc with my pessary, and I was pleasantly surprised. It’s softer and more flexible than other options I’ve used, which made it a lot more comfortable to wear in tandem. If you’ve been curious about options, it might be one to explore—just make sure to check with your PFPT first, especially if you're navigating POP.

Final Thoughts

This season is full, and some days I feel like I’m barely keeping up. But it’s also full of growth—watching my girls take on new challenges, feeling my body respond to small changes, and learning to give myself grace instead of guilt.

If you’re adjusting to a new routine right now too, I just want to say: you’re doing better than you think. You don’t have to do it all at once. You can start again tomorrow. And your body deserves support no matter what’s on the calendar.

💬 What’s Helping You Adjust?

I’d love to know: what routines, tools, or mantras are helping you navigate this back-to-school season?

📚 Want more stories like this? Check out more installments of our Founder's Perspective or Hem Spotlight series.

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