In many ways, the end of the school year resembles the holiday season—full of expectations, packed schedules, and mounting pressure. But unlike the holidays, there's no built-in break or cultural permission to slow down. The days aren't longer, and the to-do lists certainly aren't shorter. The calendar quickly fills with field trips, performances, exams, projects, report cards, transitions, and celebrations. While this season brings excitement, it also silently cultivates stress.

When we're exhausted from managing children's needs and juggling responsibilities, it's natural to seek quick relief. This creates a vicious cycle: fatigue leads to unhealthy coping, which creates more fatigue, pushing us toward more quick fixes. Breaking free starts with understanding that these temporary solutions actually fuel our exhaustion.