After being in the workforce for the last 10 years, I completely forgot how wonderful school holiday vacations are. No need to make sure I have enough PTO days; just enjoy the days off! Of course, that's not to say work doesn't get done over school break, but it does seem more enjoyable, and less pressure to complete assignments (and no Zoom meetings to deal with).
It also doesn't mean it's all easy! Being at home all day with small kids is arguably a lot harder than putting in a full day in the lab or the office (much respect to all the SAHM's out there). There are the millions of snacks, hours of answering math problems (Mom, how many seconds have I been alive? What's 1,000,000 times 1,000,000?), wiping away tears, refereeing the occasional violent argument, negotiating vegetables, cleaning a multitude of messes, f
inding lost cuddly animals for nap time (but mommy, I NEED fuzzy long-tail so I can sleep!), and oh yeah, keeping your cool. They also tend to sleep poorly in non-home places, so by the end of visiting family we are all tired, impatient, and ready to hang low at home & rest. Our dog (Gemma) also caught the spirit and was up at all hours of the night.
But then there are the moments when I feel my heart bursting: when I watch my son graciously give his sister his lollipop to help her feel better (she got the wrong flavor, of course); watching my precious daughter snuggle with Gemma because she "loves her SOOOOOOOOOO much"; my son packing his school lunch for the first time. Spending time during holiday breaks with these two, even during the difficult moments, reconnects us and keeps us close. I love watching them grow in their love for each other, their math skills, and kindness. I am encouraged to see the perseverance and patience of parenting pay off. Yes, it does! I will continue to work on becoming a better parent, and make the most of holiday breaks to reconnect with my kids who are continually growing and learning. Because before I know it, they will be all grown up and visit me only during the holidays!
TL;DR: parenting is longer and harder than a PhD, and there are no days off!
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