As soon as fall semester kicks off, I begin my countdown to summer break. Parenting school-age kids can be quite the challenge, especially when navigating the complexities of raising children with special needs. Both of my kids have Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), which means our school year can feel never-ending and incredibly taxing. By the time May arrives, I’m completely spent. This isn’t your average fatigue; it’s burnout amplified.
For those unfamiliar, an IEP is a tailored educational plan that outlines the specific support and services a child with special needs requires. Think of it as a living document that evolves alongside your child’s needs. Each year, summer school is presented as an option, and every year, my answer is the same: No, my kids will not be attending summer school. Then comes the guilt.
By the time summer rolls around, we all need a breather. Summer is the time when my kids can just enjoy being kids—free from the pressures of school meetings, schedules, and anxiety over keeping up academically. It’s essential for us to have this time to relax and recharge.
This year, more than ever, I’ve found the school year to be particularly overwhelming. As an IEP parent, breaks are a rare luxury. Letting my guard down, even for a moment, can feel risky. Anyone who has a child with special needs or on an IEP understands the relentless nature of this journey.
That’s why celebrating the small victories throughout the school year is crucial. These moments of joy help balance out the tough weeks when negativity seems to dominate. Every parent knows that the educational landscape is often designed for “typical learners.” If your child doesn’t fit that mold, you’re reminded of it regularly, and it can be disheartening.
If I’m not worrying about my children’s challenges, I’m anxious about whether I’m doing enough and what more I can do. Thankfully, we’re fortunate to have fantastic IEP teams supporting both of our kids. I can’t imagine navigating this without such help, having experienced the opposite end of the spectrum in the past. Even with a solid support system, the emotional toll is immense. Life often feels like a constant struggle to fit into a system that wasn’t designed for our kids—filled with meetings, therapy sessions, and behavior plans.
When we initiated the IEP process for our oldest child nearly eight years ago, I never envisioned that we would still be doing this after all these years. It’s easy to become disheartened and feel like throwing in the towel. But as a parent, I know I must keep moving forward. I’ll shed tears alone in my car, stay up late researching options, and ensure that my children receive the care they need. I’ll likely second-guess every decision along the way, but I won’t give up.
As summer break approaches, I look forward to that moment when I can finally take a breath—a long, deep breath. And if I’m honest, I’ll probably celebrate with a glass of wine because we’ve made it through another school year.
So, no, my kids will not be attending summer school.
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In summary, summer is our family’s time to unwind and reconnect without the pressures of school. As a parent of children with IEPs, it’s essential to prioritize this downtime to recharge and celebrate the progress we’ve made throughout the year.