It’s time to stop doing holiday countdowns

“Not long until the holidays…”

“Just a few more days…”

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve either heard or uttered those very phrases.  Those last few weeks before school always seem to drag – so much to do so little time.

Particularly during report writing season when every spare moment seems to go into to writing, reading and re-checking reports.

Then there are all the extra end of term items, the parties, the assemblies.

I didn’t realise how exhausted I was until one of my colleagues who had been travelling breezed into school looking healthy and relaxed. In contrast, I looked exhausted and stressed.

Yet when I think about the reasons I was close to burn out so little was to do with the kids.

So what impact does countdown mode have on them?

• Some kids actually enjoy going to school – countdown mode tells them their teachers don’t.
• Some kids, for whatever reason,  don’t like being at home – countdown mode tells these kids that school isn’t a space for them
• All kids want to feel loved and valued which they spell that T.I.M.E – countdown mode tells kids we don’t want to spend our days with them

That the things stressing me out are usually of my own making – the party doesn’t need to be so big, and I can always ask for help. Go outside during report writing  instead of letting it takeover my life.

Do less, worry less and concentrate on what really matters.