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Hi Reader,

My kids are back to school, and suddenly the house feels… quiet.

September has finally arrived after a summer of sticky ice cream fingers on my keyboard and constant “Mom, can I…?” interruptions.

If you’re also a parent and a freelancer, you know what this season feels like. It’s not just back-to-school for the kids; it’s back-to-focus for us. But before this fresh start, the summer brought its own mix of challenges and joys.

What Was My Experience Like This Past Summer?

Freelance life as a medical writer and mother has always meant flexibility, but it also meant learning to write under less-than-perfect circumstances (like editing a manuscript while someone yells “I can’t find my shoe!” in the background).

All summer, I balanced my work and client calls while scheduling swimming lessons for two of my kids and managing endless food requests. And, yes, I worked less—about 15 to 20 hours a week—but I cherished the family time and celebrated my daughter’s sixth birthday! These moments are very important to me as I grow my business and learn to adapt to different situations. This is why I chose flexibility over a traditional 9-to-5 job.

What Now?

Now, with the kids back in their classrooms, I find myself with a strange and wonderful gift: space to think more clearly and to dream about what the rest of the year could hold.

September and the fall sessions have always been my favourite times. There’s something about the crisp air, golden/red leaves, and fresh routines that makes everything feel like a new beginning.

I understand that September can sometimes feel overwhelming, as if there’s a constant pressure to make up for lost time. It’s important to remember that it doesn’t have to be that way. It can be about steady progress, reclaiming focus, and finding joy in both: the science we write about and the stories we live at home.

I used to have what I call the "reset rituals" when this time comes.

My September Reset Rituals:

• I am reorganizing my writing calendar (with ambitious but realistic deadlines). I have a serious project next week, so it’s a reminder for the "back-to-focus" for me!
• I am also reviewing the projects I said “yes” to this year and deciding which deserve a bigger yes (and which need a gentle no).
• I am making room for professional growth, like exploring new niches, attending webinars, or brushing up on skills.
• I have completed a schedule outlining my activities from September to November.

I know many of you are in the same boat: balancing family and freelancing, deadlines and dinner plans.

So, here’s to a season of fresh starts.

For our kids and for us.

Do you have any rituals for September? If so, I would love to hear about them!

To your success,

Guanine Medical Academy

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Thank you for joining the Pen and Parents Newsletter, a resource for freelance medical writers who also wear the badge of motherhood! Nisreen Shumayrikh, PhD Find me on Social Media ​​​​

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