Out of 365 days in a year school districts only have 180 days of school. We’re tied with France with having the the fewest school days per year in a developed nation. Our children’s school days are pretty short compared to say Koreas 12 hours. Our students are allowed 18 days of absence before any consequences really are on the table.

That’s like you as an adult having a three day, seven hours a day, work week. You have the ability to change your schedule within reason so that if you want to work day five days a week you could then take two weeks off around Christmas, one week off in the Spring, and two and a half months off in Summer. Oh also have five days off for Thanksgiving and have every Federal holiday off. You would also receive 18 days of leave to be used however you choose. Paradise right. Imagine all that and then STILL needing a mental health day.

I’m all about my child’s mental health; he sees a therapist once a month. But there’s caring and then there’s codling. There’s got to be a line drawn in the sand between the toxic “suck it up kid” and them having to develop some form of mental fortitude.