Why I Dread School and Relish Summer

Adult human female anatomy diagram chartAt home insemination

As the school year winds down, my disdain for the academic grind grows, perhaps rivaling that of my children. The anticipation for that final week, day, and hour before summer break approaches is almost euphoric.

Honestly, the only aspect of school I appreciate is that it allows someone else to teach my kids while I take a breather. Whether it’s homeschooling or public school, the moment spring break arrives, I’m ready to call it quits. Unfortunately, the public education system has these annoying regulations about attendance and the number of school days.

The Reasons to Loathe School

The reasons to loathe school are numerous. For starters, the endless stream of parties—seriously, how many celebrations can one fifth-grade class have?—field trips, and the relentless requests of, “Mom, can you drive? Please?” My daughter’s persistence is admirable, but it’s pushing my patience to the limit.

Then there’s homework, which feels like a personal torment. The outrageous projects that teachers assign are truly baffling. State reports? No thanks! And the thought of reading after homework? Are you kidding? Next, you’ll expect these kids to brush their teeth too!

Let’s not even get started on fundraising. It’s not the kids who are raising the money; it’s the parents. And guess what? We end up buying all the overpriced items anyway. Why not just write a bigger check at the start of the year and skip the magazines and candy sales? The science fair? A mother’s worst nightmare filled with messy projects and downloads that could bring viruses to our computers. Can’t my child just write a simple report on fungus without needing to grow it?

Missing the bus leads to chaotic, last-minute dashes to school. I dread the dreaded “your child has been tardy three times this year” note. Seriously, shouldn’t schools focus on serious issues instead of minor tardiness? At least my kids manage to show up eventually.

The Transition to Junior High and High School

As they transition into junior high and high school, the challenges multiply. You’d hope for a sense of anonymity, but instead, you find yourself wrangling a hormonal teen, monitoring grades, and juggling sports practices, away games, and countless activities that you need to drive them to. Home life becomes chaotic—yards go unmowed, trash piles up, and laundry becomes a distant memory.

The Glorious Relief of Summer Break

But then comes the glorious relief: summer break! No homework, no projects, no tests. Days stretch into blissful hours of free time. I can stroll through Target whenever I want without worrying about a bus schedule. The kids can go to camp, visit grandparents, or simply play outside all day. The joys of summer include sleeping in, taking long, leisurely showers, and wearing real clothes instead of just yoga pants. My absolute favorite? Sipping coffee from a real cup instead of a travel mug. It’s pure bliss!

When mid-August rolls around, I’ll be back in the school routine, feeling cranky and yearning for June to return. I won’t go down without a fight; I’ll be that parent throwing a tantrum outside the school. Don’t judge; you’d want to throw a tantrum too.

Further Reading

To dive deeper into home parenting tips, check out our blog posts on how to navigate this journey, including our guide on an at-home insemination kit, which offers invaluable insights. If you’re interested in DIY costumes for kids, you might find this resource useful as well. For those contemplating fertility treatments, the March of Dimes provides excellent information to help guide your decisions.

In summary, while the school year is filled with challenges that can be overwhelming, the freedom of summer brings joy and relaxation. As parents, we cherish these moments of respite.