Teacher Summer Break Problem: When You Completely Forget What Day It Is

Dear Summer Break: I Have No Idea What Day It Is

There comes a point during every teacher’s summer break when time completely loses all meaning.

It usually happens somewhere between the third load of laundry and the second trip to Target.

One day you’re setting six alarms, rushing through morning duty, answering emails, collecting data, redirecting behaviors, and counting down the minutes until dismissal.

Then suddenly…

It’s summer.

And now you’re standing in your kitchen at 11:30 a.m. wondering why everyone seems to be at work while you’re eating pancakes on a Tuesday.

At least…I think it’s Tuesday.

Maybe it’s Wednesday.

Honestly, who knows?

The first week of summer break feels like a vacation. The second week feels like freedom. By week three, teachers are basically retired cats wandering around the house looking for snacks and sunny spots to sit.

The other day I woke up naturally, stretched, made coffee, and enjoyed a peaceful morning. I felt productive. I cleaned the kitchen, watered my plants, folded towels, and organized a drawer.

Then I looked at the clock.

It was only 9:15 a.m.

How did I accomplish an entire Saturday before most people had started work?

Another strange thing happens during summer break. You start losing track of dates.

Someone will ask, “What are your plans this weekend?”

And you’ll respond, “What makes this weekend different from Tuesday?”

Every day has the same energy.

Coffee Day.

Laundry Day.

Maybe Tennis Day.

Possibly Car-Looking Day.

Definitely Snack Day.

As behavior teachers, we’re so used to schedules, routines, bells, meetings, ARDs, paperwork, and constant movement that summer feels almost suspicious at first.

You’re convinced you’ve forgotten something important.

You wake up in a panic wondering:

“Did I submit that paperwork?”

“Did I answer that email?”

“Did I take attendance?”

Then you remember…

Nope.

You’re on summer break.

Go back to sleep.

The truth is, teachers spend the entire school year taking care of everyone else. Summer gives us permission to slow down, enjoy our homes, reconnect with hobbies, and remember that we’re people outside of our classrooms.

So if you’ve forgotten what day it is, congratulations.

You’re doing summer correctly.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to check my calendar to figure out whether today is Monday, Thursday, or some completely new day that only exists during teacher summer break.

Happy Summer, Teachers!

And if anyone asks what day it is…

Tell them you’re currently operating on Summer Standard Time.

It’s a real thing.

At least I think it is.