Parents - do you feel like you’re crawling to the finish line of the school year? You’re in good company, as “Maycember” is chaos for a lot of us. With the end of school approaching, May has turned into a kind of unofficial second December, another month loaded with school events, performances, sports tournaments, final projects, celebrations, and don’t forget Teacher Appreciation Week!
We get it, there are only so many weeks left in the school year, but the calendars are jam-packed and the hectic pace can be hard to keep up with, even without the holiday festivities December includes. While the clever name “Maycember” may be new to you, parents say it's spot-on. “What a perfect way to describe this whirlwind of a month,” says mom of two Maru Acosta. “It truly captures the chaos and nonstop pace of May. It feels like December without the sparkle and gifts.”
Some moms and dads are struggling to get through Maycember, but others are surviving or even excelling. So, what’s working for them? Taking perfection off the table is the first freeing step. They also recommend:
- Let some things go - Don’t beat yourself up if you can’t be at every presentation, performance and awards ceremony. Skip the stuff you have to and give yourself permission to let go of the mom guilt when you do.
- Lean on the village - Divide and conquer with your partner and delegate what you can to anyone willing to help. Carpooling can be a game-changer, too.
- Make space for sanity - You’ve got to put your own oxygen mask on first, so be sure you’re taking care of yourself so you can handle the chaos better. Self-care, exercise and sleep can make a big difference during Maycember!
- Find downtime where you can - When you find your family has some free time, make the most of it. That can include resting on days off and not overscheduling weekends when you actually have that option.
Source: Good Morning America