For busy parents across Utah and the US, “Maycember” is in full swing
May 6, 2025, 6:00 AM | Updated: 8:52 am
FILE: Lindsay Nelson, left, Nicole Chapple, center, and Treece Johnson, right, help Lacy Johnston attach her tassel during commencement exercises for Spanish Fork High School at the McKay Center on UVSC campus in Orem. (Jason Olson)
(Jason Olson)
SALT LAKE CITY — Seniors are graduating. It’s Mother’s Day. There are dance recitals, awards ceremonies and teacher gifts. And if your child wants to be on next year’s student council, sports team, or the school musical, there will be tryouts.
“Breathe. Don’t forget to breathe,” said Mary-Elizabeth Hickman, Syracuse mother of 6.
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May is the month that’s become known as “Maycember,” with families saying it’s just as busy as the holiday season. But many disagree with that sentiment; May is actually worse. At least in December, there are a few days when you’ll get the day off. In May, there are no such days.
“This week is teacher appreciation week, cheer tryouts, I have 3 kids going for student body office so we have 3 sets of applications due, evening of excellence, 9th grade dance, Lagoon Day, and then all of the end-of-the-year parties,” said Hickman.
And on top of all the craziness at school, families are still in the height of spring sports.
“I have 6 kids, so we have 9-12 games per week,” said Hickman.
Can schools help parents?
Schools know how hectic it can be for students and parents. The principal at Viewpoint Middle School in Lehi, Aaron Barth, said they’ve had discussions on how to change things. But they can’t find solutions that work.
“We did open up that last week in April and tried to expand it and stretch it out a little bit more, said Barth. “But a band that’s been going all year, they want to wait until the very end to showcase all that they’ve learned. Same with choir and orchestra. Everyone’s always trying to wait and get in that last minute.”
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And in the end, Barth says being able to honor the students at award ceremonies and banquets at the end of the year makes all the craziness worth it.
“Some students that just barely skate by or some students that feel like they’ve fallen through the cracks and haven’t been noticed, and then at this end of year to see their name get called for an award or be recognized at a banquet, you just see the light in their eyes like, ‘Hey I’ve been seen, I’m valued.’ And that is priceless,” said Barth.
He tells parents to prioritize the important events if they are overwhelmed. He also said that it’s okay to miss something.
