Maycember
Maycember: The Most Wonderful (and Exhausting) Time of the Year
Forget December. If you're a parent, the real chaos hits in May.
Welcome to Maycember—that wild time of year when calendars implode, carpool logistics rival military operations, and your kid has a themed dress-up day every 36 hours. Coined by overwhelmed moms across social media, "Maycember" is the unofficial term for the end-of-school-year frenzy that somehow feels just as hectic (if not more) than the holidays—minus the festive music and twinkle lights.
Why May Feels Like December on Steroids
Let’s break it down. In a single month, parents juggle:
Graduations (pre-K, kindergarten, 5th grade... does it ever end?)
Recitals, concerts, and talent shows
Field days and field trips (requiring mysterious snacks, sunscreen, and t-shirts you didn’t know needed washing)
Teacher appreciation week (Times. Five. Teachers.)
End-of-season sports tournaments
Final exams and projects (which you inevitably remember the night before)
Summer camp registrations (because if you wait until June, you’re out of luck)
It’s like someone packed all the year’s obligations into a single month and hit fast forward.
The Mental Load: Invisible, Yet Crushing
Maycember is particularly brutal because it adds a second holiday-level load to the already full plates of parents—especially moms, who often serve as the household CEOs. It's not just about showing up. It’s about remembering that Tuesday is Pajama Day, baking cupcakes for Thursday, and sending in that permission slip you swore you already signed. All while still... you know, working and living.
And unlike December, there's no holiday spirit or Hallmark movies to soften the blow. Just a lot of coffee, calendar alerts, and car snacks.
How to Survive (or at Least Fake It)
Lower the Bar – Not every memory has to be Pinterest-worthy. Store-bought cookies count.
Say No – You don’t have to do it all. Pick a few meaningful things and let the rest go.
Group Texts Are Your Friend – Other parents are also overwhelmed. Lean on the village.
Celebrate the Small Wins – Made it to drop-off with shoes on the right feet? That’s a triumph.
Laugh About It – If you're going to lose your mind, you might as well enjoy the ride.
In the End, It's Kind of Beautiful
Underneath the madness, Maycember is packed with moments that matter. Your child twirling in their dance recital. The proud grin after receiving a certificate. That bittersweet last day of school photo. These are the memory-makers—tucked between the chaos.
So here’s to all the Maycember moms, dads, and caregivers out there: You're doing an amazing job. Keep the caffeine coming, the expectations realistic, and don’t forget—summer is just around the corner.