Running on Fumes

First day of School 2012

When I read Jen Hatmaker’s blog post “Worst End of School Year Mom Ever”

http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2013/05/30/worst-end-of-school-year-mom-ever#.UbjjOT8N9L8.facebook, I laughed out loud, until I cried, and then I laughed at myself for crying. I am in agreement that the end-of-the year school schedule is indeed trying to kill us parents, at this point we are all just going through the motions and running on fumes.

I just can’t take it anymore. I am like Jen. She speaks for all of us! The alarm is set later, the clothes are no longer picked out the night before and nicely folded on the chair ready for the next morning, the lunches are not made the night before—instead I am cramming in prepackaged baggies of cookies, popcorn and granola bars; and homework is done over breakfast with a “hurry up… and eat… and write; we have to leave,” droning on and on like a skipping record player.

Jen Hatmaker wrote, “I feel like any sort of school energy required at this point is pure oppression, like the universe is trying to destroy me.” I can’t agree more. I am trying so hard not so share with all of my clients (which would be many of you) the sheer amount of stuff happening at both my boys’ schools this time of year.

Please understand, I love both my sons’ schools. They have wonderful, warm teachers who love them, care about them and support them in their growth and learning. I am lucky to live in such a great community in New York City. But this is not about them or the schools – it is about me, and the lack of capacity I have right now at the end of the school year to fit “it all” in.

In the past two weeks alone, we have had a concert, a circus-gymnastics show, field day, the Brooklyn-Queens day off, a half-day teacher work shop, two pizza parties – and more...that is only for my six-year old during his regular school hours – it doesn’t include any after school activities. My two-year old has his own end of the year day-care schedule to mange and filling up the calendar (hat day, picture day, sports day, father’s day donuts with dad, etc.).  I only have two children, but I also run my own consulting business and my brain can only hold certain amounts of information.

My husband Paul is a high school teacher. So it isn’t like he can really pitch in and help out. He is in his own brand of “end of the year” hell—staffing exams, wrapping up paper work and trying to get some of his high school kids, who didn’t give a care all year long, to graduate. 

I look forward to hanging up the backpacks for the summer, getting up late, and not hearing the alarm clock buzz; going to bed later and more movie nights; working in my pajamas; late night walks to get ice cream; not having to venture out into the rain with boots, raincoats and umbrellas; the warm weather and flip-flops; a leisurely walk to the bagel store; our vacation to Disney and NH; and the carefree attitude that comes with July and August. 

In Rye, NH- Relaxing and Watching the Boats

I don't want to cruise into summer -- I want to run and skip into summer with a big icee in my hand, while singing Will Smith's "Summa Summa time (summa time)..... Time to sit back and unwind!"

Sure my work life continues, but that is OK. I can take the conference calls, the messaging sessions, the press releases, the executive letters and the various other client communications needs that come my way.

I love the boys being home for the summer and everything the summer brings. So hurry up and get here already.

On the beach

PS: I know many of you are done with school and are already skipping around with a cold drink by the pool. Don't rub it in... New Yorkers still have one more week!

PPS: I am also a bit sad that my boys will be another grade older (Liam in second grade and Owen in pre-school.) But, that is another post all together about how I want them to stay small, innocent and cute.... sigh.