Recently I saw an influencer who made something click for me. An Instagram post by theholdernessfamily introduced me to the idea of “May-cember.” It’s like December, in that it is busy every day, with parties every weekend, gifts to buy, etc., but without Christmas to look forward to. Ok, maybe May is better because we have the whole summer to look forward to, but I’m sure some parents would say that’s up for debate.
Yesterday I opened up my planner to try and schedule a doctor’s appointment and realized I have almost no time in the next week and a half. There is a sports awards ceremony, end-of-season soccer party, music recital, school volunteer brunch, and 5th-grade graduation to attend. Any “free” moments I have will be used planning birthday parties for my 2 kids with beginning-of-summer birthdays, organizing our Memorial Day weekend trip, buying gifts for my kid’s amazing teachers, and generally trying to get my house in order and projects out of the way before my kids are home all day asking for snacks.
And friends, that is just what is on my plate. My 5th grader has a language arts essay due this week, as well as a history biography and science report due next week on top of regular homework, music lessons, time with friends, and more. I understand it makes sense that May is the time to show what you’ve learned over the year. But wow. My kids are tired, counting down the days till summer vacation, and I don’t blame them.
So how do we cut down on the stress of May, while not letting things fall through the cracks? Here is what I do.
Protect Our Downtime
Even though it feels like we have plans every second of every day, we do have a few days with downtime. On a normal Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon with nothing on the schedule, I try to fill the time with something useful. We get together with friends or family, go on a hike, or do some home improvement projects. But with our days full to bursting I realize I need to protect those times and plan to relax at home. My kids may spend a few hours playing Nintendo Switch while I sit with a cup of coffee and read, and that is OK! And when someone asks if I’m free Saturday morning I say no, because I need to protect that downtime for myself and my kids. I have my to-do list, and I carve out time to get those things done. But when I spot an opening in my schedule during May, even just a few hours, I safeguard it.
Spring For Treats
During the last few weeks of school, I’m much more likely to take my kids out for ice cream or get them a special snack when I’m at the grocery store. They’re working so hard and it can lift their spirits when they get something fun in their lunchbox or after school. The same goes for me. Usually, when I’m out running 1,000,000 errands I try to finish up and go home for lunch, even if that means I eat at 1 or 2 pm. Right now, I give myself permission to grab coffee and a snack, or lunch at a restaurant I want to try. It keeps me fueled and feeling good and is a little bonus when I feel too worn down to cook for myself.
Ask For Help
It is not in my nature to ask for help. I try to do everything myself, for better or worse (usually worse). But this is the time of year to delegate. I don’t have to be the only one bringing treats to the end-of-year class party, or driving my kid to every function imaginable. I can spread the treat-bringing duty so no one feels too burdened by it. I can carpool with my neighbor so we are not spending our lives in the car shuffling kids from function to function. It really does take a village y’all, and never more than at the end of May.
There are 7 school days until the end of the school year. 7 days until we can sleep in (sometimes). 7 days until we don’t have to pack lunchboxes every morning. 7 days until we don’t have to fight morning traffic. At least for two and a half months. Then it is back again, but by that time we will welcome it all. Good luck out there!
Catherine Michalk 