‘Maycember’ Is Blowing Up on TikTok and Parents Are Begging for Mercy

Fact: Parents are never not busy. But over the past couple of weeks, caregivers have been taking to social media to lament the fact that the end of the school year puts child-rearing and home-keeping into overdrive.

There’s even a word to define it: “Maycember.” The viral social media trend can be traced back to TikTok. The concept—dreamed up by the Holderness family—is set to the tune of “December” by Earth, Wind and Fire and drives home a massive spring pain point for parents: We feel busy like it’s Christmas...but it’s May.

I’m here to attest that words never rang so true. In the past week alone, I’ve fielded emails about school spirit occasions (silly hat day! pajama day!), volunteer requests (field trip to the museum is next week, can you come?) and reminders about so many heartstring-tugging end-of-year celebrations (graduation! theatrical performances! a carnival!)...and it all happens in May.

Also, June. But the point is that my paper calendar—which I continue to swear by when it comes to committing details and dates to memory—is on overdrive with end-of-year parental responsibilities. Responsibilities that require stamina and superhuman logistical abilities, not to mention forethought to ensure that sunscreen and snacks are at the ready and the proper gear is worn and supplied.

Don’t get me wrong: I love the sense of community. The rah-rah spirit and the effort put in by the teachers and the ability to see my rising first grader shine. But, unlike December, where post-holidays, there’s a bit of January downtime to get you through the blitz of non-stop occasions and socialization, right now, as a working mom, I feel a bit like I’m in the midst of a May/June marathon—with summer camp logistics as the only “reward” on the other side.

The pressure is also very, very real. Because every parent knows that the one Maycember occasion you decide to skip will be the one thing that becomes a core memory featuring feelings of disappointment for your child: “Mooooom, everyone else’s parents were there.”

It’s worth noting that I count myself an organized person. I love a good Google doc or Post-It reminder system, alongside my aforementioned paper calendar, of course. But even I mixed up the dates this week for my son’s after-school Encanto performance, sending him into the classroom a week early wearing his costume and carrying his props. His ever-so-kind teacher gently encouraged me: “It’s OK, you gave him the chance to dress rehearse.” (In fact, all I gave myself was an extra load of laundry to do ahead of the actual show next week.)

The point? As more and more parents take to the internet to share their end-of-year overwhelm and logistical woes, let me leave you with this plea: Go easy on them. The old cliché holds true in this case—there are only so many hours in the day. The fact that parents are staying up into the wee hours of the night putting the finishing touches on school talent show costumes or waking up early to bake cupcakes for an impromptu classroom party feels like we’ve been tasked with trying to beat the clock all month.

Yes, we’re doing it, but affording a little grace to those under pressure would be nice.