Things I Can't Say

Tips and Tales from an Introverted Mom

The Difference Between Spring Break and Summer

Length, right?

Obviously.

But summer actually seems easier.

During the week of spring break, there’s not enough time to get into a new routine, to find a new rhythm.

And it’s so short, it feels like there’s an urgency to squeeze in the fun activities because even just a day into it, it will already feel like it’s almost over.

During our spring break last week, I forgot all of this.

So, with the kids wanting to do things all the time and their super-energetic attitudes(aka being rather wild), I started frantically googling camps for the summer. We already had a few that we planned on sending them to, but the plan wasn’t to be in camp every day.

But spring break was making me think that they would NEED to be in camp every single day or they’d drive me and each other absolutely bonkers within a few days. And if I wanted to be able to get my work done, there’s just no way they could only go to 2 or 3 camps. It would have to be more.

Then I remembered.

The first week of summer is usually a bit like spring break. We’re getting adjusted to a new schedule. There’s no school, so they’ll want to do all the things they can’t when school is in session.

But we’ll quickly fall into a new routine.

One that will balance going out and doing all the fun stuff with lazy days at home.

It will be sleeping in(for them), watching some tv, playing a game, running around in the backyard or riding their bikes until I’ve had a chance to do my work and then we’ll head out to the pool or the beach or just out somewhere to find something fun to explore.

And while we know, as parents, just how quickly a summer can fly by, it feels like a very long time to our kids, so they lose that urgency of wanting to do everything before it’s too late. 

So even though I’ll admit that I was a little more gleeful than usual at sending my kids back to school today after our week of spring break, I’m already starting to count down the days until summer.

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Comments

  1. I feel the same way. Our spring break is this week and I feel the need to squeeze in fun and Jack is bouncing off the walls wanting to do things. And yet I’m excited for summer when I know we will have a balance of activities and lazy days.

  2. We have 2 weeks for Spring break out here. However, our summer is short (60 days) but we do not have snow days here. That being said, I’ve gotten lazy. I only have one young one now. The age difference in my kids is hard 17,15,and 9. Their interests are miles apart. For me, I leave the “breaks” for just relaxing. Summer vacation since it is longer, I try to work in beach trips, movies, and other affordable activities.

  3. I dread summer. Mainly because my husband is gone and trying to keep two kids happy on my own can get tough. I need my peace throughout the day.

  5. You are right, spring break does go too fast to really settle in. My in-laws were here for our spring break and it was just so much fun that I did not want it to be over at all. I am so ready for summer. Then this fall my baby goes off to kindergarten! Eek!