Every year I notice a pattern, the end of the year slump. For my son’s first year of high school that meant his grades went down some. I am very thankful that although he is antsy about the school year ending, his grades remain good.
I have come to notice something else though. It’s not just my children that get into the end of the year slump. I tend to do the same. I guess I get to that point where I am ready for it all to end—the early mornings, getting everyone up, chauffeuring, driving from one activity to another, asking about homework, and packing lunches.
I noticed that in my own end of the year slump, I was letting some things go. When homework got done, bedtime, attitudes, and other things like that I have begun to let slide. I ask less about schoolwork and how the school day was. I am really eager for my children to be home this summer and looking forward to our family vacation.
However if I demonstrate this slump to my children then they are bound to do the same. So I need to help them finish the race and that means running my part of it. I guess that’s what I equate the school year to. It’s like a race they are running and there are times in the race when you get discouraged, you feel like quitting or the crossing line feels yet so far.
They are almost there. I am almost there. Together we can do this. If there are other parents feeling that end of the year slump, I invite you to join with me in picking up some speed and getting that momentum we all need to make it to the end. It is almost here. Summer break is just around the corner.
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