Surviving 'Maycember': A guide to overcoming its challenges in just over three effortless steps.
The school year is filled with many events, from Spring Sing concerts to field days and more. As children grow older, their involvement in school activities also increases, transforming sugar-fueled class parties into stress-fueled study groups for advanced placement exams, and field day into a continuous loop of sports tournaments, prom nights, volunteer hours, extra credit projects, awards ceremonies, banquets, fundraisers, and requests for parent volunteers. May is a month where both parents and students are inundated with a slew of responsibilities, making it feel like a never-ending cycle of chaos. This phenomenon is sometimes referred to as "Maycember" because of its intensity and similarity to the busy month of December.
Regardless of your child's age, May is quite hectic for everyone due to several school-related obligations and social events. While the activities might vary, the pressure never really differs.
Between the unavoidable tasks, such as standardized testing and final exams, and the incentives designed to encourage students, like extra credit projects, teens find themselves at a disadvantage. They're constantly exhausted, trying to sprint toward the finish line.
As parents, it's crucial to recognize the significance of balancing our children's demands. Helping them manage expectations and finding ways to mitigate stress levels as the school year comes to a close should be our priority. While teens are often expected to be independent during these years and spend more time with their friends, we still play a critical role during this time.
Here are some suggestions to smoothen out the turbulence of Mayhem:
Establish your limitations
It's one thing to set boundaries; it's quite another to uphold them. Parents who help oversee committees and organize events have the responsibility to ensure that every task is accomplished, but not all parents can volunteer for all events.
Parents must be decisive about their limits and stick to them. If you can't volunteer for an event, consider donating funds instead. If you can't do even that, let them know that you'd be interested in helping at another time.
Prioritizing your time is also important for your children. Make time to discuss with them which events are most important to them and align with your schedule. Involving other family members can also be a possibility if you're unavailable.
Speaking about your inability to attend all these events might feel defeating, but setting an example will teach kids the value of prioritization. Instead of focusing on each event, have a conversation about what each event signifies and its importance. This will help them make more thoughtful decisions about which ones are truly worth attending.
Promote mental health
When your family is constantly in motion, it's hard to savor the occasions you do attend. Just like choosing to skip some holiday parties during December, you can't feel obliged to participate in every single event.
For teens, setting aside time for mental health is paramount. Encourage them to recognize when they're feeling overwhelmed and create safe spaces at home to recharge. You can create calmer moments during the whirlwind of activities by simply declining invitations, setting aside quiet nights to reconnect with your family. Instead of cramming every event into the calendar, you can simply say, "We have a family commitment tonight."
If your teen is not thrilled with this approach, remember that it's not your job to be their favorite parent. You're simply guiding them to practice self-care and manage their own time effectively.
Monitor your social media consumption
With so much going on, it's easy to get wrapped up in capturing every moment. However, it's equally essential to acknowledge that attending everything is not necessarily the healthiest option.
It's alright to miss a few events; your children's well-being should be your primary concern. By creating some safe spaces at home, you can ensure that you're providing them with the emotional balance they need during this busy time.
Overall, May is undoubtedly an overwhelming month, but with careful planning and prioritization, it's possible to make it a little less frantic. Opting for quality over quantity, choosing meaningful events, and allowing yourself time for mental rest can help everyone through this hectic season.
The social media era has made it tough for everyone, but it's often forgotten how it impacts parents. Constantly observing the perfect grades, stellar test scores, and parents attending every event can be overwhelming. However, you don't have to succumb to this. Set a time limit on your phone usage to minimize comparing yourself, and explore healthier activities.
Sometimes, instead of scrolling through social media, I indulge in a thrilling game of Bananagrams with my teens. It's an effortless switch.
Escape the trap of jealousy and concentrate on appreciating the fleeting moments you get to spend with your kids in our hectic lives. In no time, Maycember will be over, and we'll all exhale a sigh of relief. (I'll refrain from ranting about camp.) For now, prioritize bonding with your family over crossing items off your to-do list. Believe me; it's worth it.
Dr. Katie Hurley is a child and adolescent psychotherapist and author of several books, including "No More Mean Girls: The Secret to Raising Strong, Confident, and Compassionate Girls" and the forthcoming "Fiona McPhee, Please Listen to Me!"
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Despite the hectic schedule during May, it's essential to prioritize mental health for both parents and teens. This can include setting aside quiet nights at home instead of attending every event to recharge and reflect. (Dr. Katie Hurley)
Moreover, promoting wellness in this busy period is crucial. This could mean encouraging teens to recognize when they're feeling overwhelmed and creating safe spaces at home for self-care, such as declining invitations or having family game nights. (Dr. Katie Hurley)
Source: edition.cnn.com
