Years ago, in the Before Times, I overheard a co-worker telling another teacher that she was worried about Summer Break, because it was so hard to enjoy her kids. It was a June day, less than a month before school let out, and I couldn’t understand how anyone could view Summer Vacation as anything other than pure bliss. Back then, Summer meant sleeping in and staying up late, going for long runs and hikes, reading a dozen books, etc. The world was my freaking oyster. This idyllic version of Vacation was, apparently, not quite the summer my co-worker was looking forward to. My skepticism was obvious, and the other teacher – also a mom – replied tiredly, "Only another mother would understand.”

Read More