Summer can feel like an eternity, especially when you’re navigating it with kids. Why don’t we have school all year round?
For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been working from home while my 5-year-old and 6-month-old engage in a delightful but chaotic symphony of noise and mischief behind me. (Not all of those activities apply to both kids, thankfully.) We’ve taken a few trips, which is an adventure in itself with little ones, and we’ve toyed with the idea of camp to gain a breather. However, that’s not always the most straightforward solution either.
The absence of routine during a summer without camp or school can be tough on both kids and parents — especially those of us who need to tick off a few things on our to-do lists. It’s challenging to accomplish anything, even the simple act of going to the bathroom, when you have kids tugging at your legs.
Kids can be a handful, but bored kids? Now that’s a real challenge. Why exactly aren’t teachers compensated better for the work they do?
Keeping a 5-year-old entertained is no small feat, particularly in ways that don’t leave you feeling guilty (like binge-watching Marvel movies for weeks, which, let’s face it, has become a marathon) or emptying your wallet (hello, summer camp!). I genuinely don’t know how teachers manage it all — and right now, I wish they were in charge of my kids.
After just a week of this delightful chaos, I’ve gained a newfound respect for teachers — and that’s an understatement. When I drop my son off for his first day of school this fall, I plan to carve a sculpture out of cheese for his teacher as a token of my gratitude. I’ll even eat it in front of her if she asks, as long as she takes my kid off my hands for eight hours a day for the next nine months.
We all have some connection to teachers, whether through our own school experiences or through friends and family members in the profession. My brother, for example, is a teacher, and while he’s usually quite patient, I often wonder if he’s been hit with some magical patience powers. I struggle to manage my own children most days, and that’s on a good day!
Teachers are nothing short of superheroes. Honestly, I’d feel this way even if all they did was supervise kids watching TV in a room for 180 days a year — as long as they were doing it instead of me. But fortunately, they do so much more than that.
When our kids are little, they step in as parental figures, playing with them, reading to them, and ensuring they’re safe. As children grow, they become mentors, imparting knowledge and social skills. They encourage, discipline, and guide our kids through the ups and downs of learning.
Sure, not every teacher is perfect; some may be a bit jaded or grumpy. But let’s be real — that’s true for every job out there. Most of us have encountered at least one teacher who left a lasting impression and inspired us in some way. Yet, every teacher, even the cranky ones, deserves our appreciation.
If you’re considering homeschooling, that’s your choice. But I’m more than happy to hand my kids over to those who have willingly dedicated their lives to educating, caring for, and yes, sometimes yelling at kids. Better them than me, and I’m eternally grateful for their dedication.
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In summary, teachers are invaluable, taking on the monumental task of educating and nurturing our children. Their efforts deserve recognition and appreciation, especially during those long summer days when we all feel the strain of parenting.