It doesn’t matter whether you’re busily whipping up homemade cookies for the jolly guy in the bright red suit, or whether you’re already in the throes of a carb-fest latke overload, in my opinion, school vacation is the best gift any of us could receive.

Shhhh…did you hear that?  Moms everywhere just breathed a collective sigh of relief!  School vacation translates into freedom…for more than just the kids.  We all get a break from waking up at the crack of dawn, rushing around the house like a crazy (ok, we’re still a bit crazy no matter what) person, getting breakfast on the table without dumping cereal all over the floor, a respite from our position of sandwich maker extraordinaire, and backpack organizer…and most  importantly of all, a break from the gritted teeth and nagging that we all do to our kids, while trying to ensure that they’re doing their homework. 

Yup, school vacation is a wondeful thing!  In part because it’s just that, a vacation - not forever.  A vacation has a specified start and end, it’s a finite period of time.  Vacations are something to look forward to, like week-ends, holidays and new ice cream flavors to try.

Family plans happen, friends gather and wonderful memories are made.  The deliciously slower pace gives us each a few extra minutes each day, so that we can take a look around and remember what’s really important in our lives.  Even our employers seem a tad happier….no small feat.

Make the most of your school vacation. Before you know it, you’ll find yourself standing at the kitchen counter before the sun has risen, knife slathered in peanut butter in one hand, a cheese stick, crackers and an apple in the other, holding two backpacks under your armpit, and wondering when the next school vacation starts.

Maybe we should petition for a Valentine’s Week vacation?  What do you think?  Count me in.

Filed under: Debbe Taylor, humor for women, just be happy, kids