Family vacations with kids rarely feel like rest. Between packing, tantrums, and overtired nights, parents often come home more exhausted than when they left. In this honest piece, a therapist shares how to shift expectations, create small moments of connection, and redefine what a “good” vacation really means.

As fall settles in Michigan, I revel in the beauty of colorful leaves and cozy traditions, but I also feel the dread of shorter days and the impending winter. This seasonal shift can trigger Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which brings about feelings of sadness, fatigue, and low motivation for many of us.