Spoiler: It’s not restful—it’s just a different kind of chaos.

Let me paint you a picture of what people think summer should look like for a teacher: 

Sleeping in. A hot cup of coffee sipped slowly on the couch. Maybe a little beach trip with well-behaved children and a sunset to end the day. Netflix and chill. Right!? 

Now let me tell you what it actually looks like…

6:00 AM- Husband gets home from work

Police wives know. Enter husband with the uniform removal. (Insert the most intense Velcro noises). First wake up of the day, but a good wake up for police families. He’s home. Now he sleeps. I try to close my eyes a bit more. 

6:30 AM – Woken Up by a Toddler Foot to the Face

Apparently, my 2 (almost 3) year-old didn’t get the summer memo. No alarm clocks, just small children climbing on my head and a dog licking my face. 

7:15 AM – First Caffeine Attempt

Coffee cup #1: poured.

Coffee cup #1: left on the counter because someone spilled milk and the dog ate part of a crayon. The dogs are wrestling (it’s not quiet). We’re off to a strong start.

8:30 AM – Snack Negotiation Round 1

Kids: “Can I have a snack?”

Me: “You just had breakfast.”

Kids: “So…yes?”

Also me: hands over Goldfish like I’m being held hostage.

10:00 AM – Screen Time Guilt

I let the kids watch TV while I attempt to clean up, respond to emails, or just sit in silence for 3 minutes. Then the guilt hits.

So I shut it off…

…and immediately regret it.

12:00 PM – Still Doing Hockey and Dance Because “Break” Doesn’t Apply Here

The car is loaded with dance shoes, hockey pads, sippy cups, snacks (again), and one shoe I hope belongs to one of my kids.

Skipping naps for activities? Absolutely. What’s a nap anymore anyway? 

Regretting it by 4 PM? Also absolutely.

2:00 PM – Golden Retriever Zoomies and Toddler Tantrums

Leo (our chocolate lab) is barking at a leaf. Honey (our new golden puppy) is chewing something I think was once a sock.

One child is crying because I cut their sandwich wrong. Another is mad because their tablet is dead.

Teacher voice is activated.

4:00 PM – The Afternoon Blur

Everyone is hot, cranky, and asking for more snacks like their life depends on it.

I’m debating if it’s too early for a second caffeine boost—or a margarita. 

5:00 PM – Husband Off the Work 

LEO (Leo enforcement officer) wives you get this. He’s off again. Hugs and kisses and he’s out the door. Which means I got this again. Mom mode. 

7:30 PM – Bath Time Chaos

One kid pees in the tub. Someone screams because their shampoo got in their eye (they’re not even in the bath).

Dog tries to jump in. I question all my life choices.

9:00 PM – Silence

The house is finally still. I heat up something from the fridge or grab a bowl of cereal. I sit on the couch surrounded by laundry and half-written to-do lists.

This isn’t the summer I imagined.

But honestly?

It’s still kind of beautiful in its own wild, loud, snack-covered way.

From one teacher mom to another: this season isn’t always restful, but it’s real, and that counts for something.

💛 Mama W