A Letter to Maycember

Let me begin by sharing how truly lucky I feel. I get to teach classes to the most badass mommas who make me feel so supported and loved.

One of my favorite students ran into class a couple minutes late this week. I asked her how she was doing as she rolled out her mat and joined in the warm up. (I keep the warm up pretty much the same for this reason. It's easy to join class if you already know the routine. Not that I encourage late arrivals, but I completely understand why they happen.)

She laughed and introduced herself to the room and concluded with a boisterous, "and EFFING MAYCEMBER!" Those of us with school-age kids joined her in a collective "ughghhhghgh!"

If you aren't familiar with the term, "Maycember" was christened as May has turned into a warm month of holiday crazy. I have no idea why we need more than one Spirit week in one month, however, Maycember finds a way. I don't know why we need to spend a week celebrating our teachers in May. I don't know why we need to end Teacher Appreciation Week with Mother's day. I don't know why we can't have Spring Concerts in March. Or Art shows in April. For some reason, the Gods have decided that we need to do all of these things in May.

So, as I'm writing this as we are about to celebrate Memorial Day, also in May, my Maycember is almost done. I see the light at the end of the tunnel. We are almost done with school. Team sports are almost wrapping up. It's finally safe to plant flowers after the harshest Winter of my entire life.

One of my favorite tips I learned to do over the years is put notes in my Calendar with what I have learned from the year before.

For example - September has a reminder to book December travel. November 1st has a note with how many Holiday cards to order. February 1st has a reminder where I stashed the rest of the Valentine's day cards.

Here is what I will remind myself April 15th, 2027: "How to Prepare for Maycember"

• Print out the Spirit Week calendar and put them next to the kid's dressers. This way they are reminded each morning what to wear and don't nag you while you are packing lunches. Highlight the calendar for days you need to find a crazy hat, set out wacky socks, etc.

• Have the kids write out a heartfelt thank you cards for their Teachers on May 1st. This way you aren't scrambling to send both Teacher and Mother's day cards out. Don't forget the Librarian, Art teacher, and front desk staff.

• Have the kids clean your car for Mother's day:

  (They will love it - but make sure everyone gets a turn with the vaccuum.)

  

  
  

• Don't wait for the massage gift card. Just book a massage where and with whomever you want.

• Coordinate sports with your hood. Find another kiddo who is also signed up for Soccer so you can coordinate and take turns for drop offs.

• Don't wash the winter clothes until Memorial day weekend. (Growl.)

• Make tacos a group effort next year so we divide the labor, the kids run out their energy, and we get to actually have a marg on Cinco de Mayo. (Why aren't I doing that once a month, anyway?)

  
  

• Schedule girls nights in advance- and more than one. You need more than just Mother's day eve. The best medicine for stress is a dance floor.

• You can volunteer for something, but not everything. Only sign up for the events you actually want to attend.

• Start taking a walk after drop-off so you can enjoy the Lily of the Valleys:

Maycember is a reminder ... that we don't want ... that if we don't put ourselves at the top of the list, or at least have some reliable, scheduled childcare, we will go insane. The crazy times remind us that we are strong, and we can do anything.

Yes, we can do hard things. But we don't have to do ALL the hard things.

We didn't have kids to be miserable. Here is your permission slip to say NO more. I don't want my children watching me slowly lose my shit. Time is your most precious resource. May is a reminder that we can truly only do so much.

Here is what I shared to close out a recent Class:

For context- It was a beautiful day after a week of really intense storms.

Spring is a reminder that we can do hard things.

We can endure the hardships of winter.

We look forward to the prosperity of summer.

Take a second to absorb the Sun.

.... and remember it was still there behind the clouds on our coldest days.

Sometimes we can find our light easily.

Sometimes we have to create it ourselves.

Spring is a reminder that the light was always there.

We can find the Joy amidst sadness.

Peace in the chaos.

Softness in the hard. 

Plant your energy where you want it to grow.

(aaahhh)

yes to more outdoor workouts- cannot wait for Summer Bootcamp :)

I hope you can end your Maycember with a breath of fresh air.

I hope you can take some time to think about what you want out of the childcare-free days of Summer. Think about what your goals are for your health, your joy, and your peace. The system we live in isn't set up for our health and happiness. We have to create it. Remember that YOU matter. Ask for help. Let go of what you don't want. Put yourself on the Chaos Calendar, too.

xoxo SA