DAUGHTER, CAMERON, WOKE ME UP OUT OF A DEEP SLEEP AND TOLD ME THE MOST FRIGHTENING THING YOU CAN SAY TO ANY PARENT.

SHE SAID, MOM, THERE’S ONLY 12 DAYS OF SCHOOL LEFT BEFORE SUMMER BREAK.

WHAT?

IT’S ALREADY MAY?

HONEY, WHERE DID THE TIME GO?

SEEMS LIKE JUST YESTERDAY WE WERE RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR AND MAKING RESOLUTIONS THAT WE’D PROMPTLY BREAK BEFORE BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A BAD DREAM.

BUT WHEN I CHECKED THE CALENDAR AND REALIZED SHE WAS TELLING THE TRUTH, IT BECAME A NIGHTMARE.

THE MONTH OF MAY IS THE BUSIEST AND A MOST STRESSFUL TIME FOR MANY PARENTS.

I GOTTA RUN OUT TO THE BIG BOX STORE AND FILL THE HOUSE WITH QUICK MEALS AND SNACKS.

IN ADDITION TO FINDING FUN SUMMER CAMPS TO KEEP THE KIDS BUSY FOR A FEW MONTHS, YOU’VE GOTTA GET TREATS FOR ALL YOUR TEACHERS.

AND IF YOU’VE GOT KIDS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, LIKE ME, THEIR PARAS, TOO.

DON'T FORGET THE BUS DRIVERS, CROSSING GUARDS AND SCHOOL OFFICE STAFF.

THIS YEAR MY SON ANDREW GRADUATES FROM PARK HIGH SCHOOL.

SO WE’VE GOT THAT PARTY TO PLAN.

IN ADDITION TO THE TRACK BANQUETS, SOCCER SOCIALS, AND HOCKEY HOE-DOWNS, MY BLOOD PRESSURE IS GOING UP JUST THINKING ABOUT ALL THE THINGS US PARENTS HAVE TO DO IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

I USED TO LOOK FORWARD TO MAY, BEFORE I HAD KIDS, YOU KNOW, 'CAUSE THAT MEANT WARM TEMPERATURES AND BLUE SKIES.

BUT NOW, MAY IS MY LEAST FAVORITE MONTH.

IN FACT, I’M GONNA SCRATCH THE WORD MAY OFF THE CALENDAR AT MY HOUSE.

I DON’T EVEN WANT TO SEE IT FOR THE NEXT 12 DAYS.

FROM NOW ON, I’M GONNA CALL IT MAY-CEMBER.

FOR ME, MAY IS LIKE HAVING THE STRESS OF CHRISTMAS WITHOUT ANYBODY BUYING ME ANY GIFTS!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!