Zen, what would happen if you did NOT check e-mail? You need to be able to take worry free time off.

Seconded.

There's a fundraiser today for one of our employees who I don't know but I guess he needs help with medical bills or something. Anyway, to raise money some group is selling hotdogs and nachos, so I got some because I like to chip into crowdfunding when I can but they are not as delicious as I had doped they would be. I don't know why my expectations were higher, it's not like there's an actual kitchen anywhere here (which still boggles my mind WE MAKE POTS AND PANS WHY DON'T WE HAVE A STOVE?!?!?!)

I read about friends who have these really smart kids who are self-motivated and take care of all their homework by themselves, and it's all generally correct, and parents just sit back and beam at their wonderful children's wonderful As, A+s, commendation letters, etc. Said kids are also incredibly well rounded and in addition to always getting A+s, they excell at sports, musical instruments, and volunteering with the homeless. I am assuming that those parents are telling the truth, and it's just me with the kids who'd rather A) post pics to Instagram (girl), or B) play Terraria or Minecraft (boy).

it's just me with the kids who'd rather

Not just you. Remember all my struggles with getting CJ through school? We weren't positive he would graduate until the week before grad. This after having a kid who got great grades, who did homework without prodding, and was able to balance a competitive sport. No clue why my kids were so differently motivated. But you are NOT alone.

Zen, what would happen if you did NOT check e-mail? You need to be able to take worry free time off.

I tried that once! I went to England for two whole weeks and didn't check my work email once. I came back to find that not a single thing had been done on my work. Nothing. The girl who was supposed to be my back-up was apparently told by my boss that since she was so busy with her own work, she shouldn't "worry" about mine. So I came back from vacation to two weeks' worth of late papers and frantic authors.

If I don't do it, no one will. Literally. The work will just sit there. And when I'm asked why it's late, "I was on vacation" or "I was out sick" is never an acceptable excuse, and neither is "my back-up was incompetent".

And oh my GOD the barrage of STUPID emails I just fielded. Yes, OF COURSE there should be commas and spaces between the authors' names in the byline, YOU IDIOT.

This is really restful. Why didn't I ever take a mental health break before?

Burrell, that's their highlight reel, and not the whole film. You're not seeing all of the work it took to get them there, and maintain it. Said kids are probably stressed to the gills, and don't have an unscheduled moment ever.

You have wonderfully funny, smart, inquisitive, artistic, quirky, and amazing children. I'll take kids who can improvise over ones that just follow directions without questioning them every day. Stop beating yourself up.

Zen, you need to unplug. I wish I could help you.

I read about friends who have these really smart kids who are self-motivated and take care of all their homework by themselves, and it's all generally correct, and parents just sit back and beam at their wonderful children's wonderful As, A+s, commendation letters, etc. Said kids are also incredibly well rounded and in addition to always getting A+s, they excell at sports, musical instruments, and volunteering with the homeless.

Those people don't exist. I promise.

I was supposed to get an Amazon package yesterday. When there was no package, I checked the online tracking, which said, "A carrier delay has occurred." Under details, it said "1:02 PM Undeliverable - Incorrect Address." I was here at that address at 1 p.m. Am I supposed to do something or hope USPS figures it out?

Do kids seem to have WAY MORE homework than we did when we were young? I graduated in 1991, and we didn't have anything to do at home until 3rd grade, never did anything in the summer, and except for big projects or art classes, I really don't remember spending very much time on it.

My godson, who is 13, has so much homework THIS SUMMER. Homework in every subject. Math every day. 2 different book presentations. A presentation on the Civil War. It seems like so much! I think he now HATES reading, and he used to love it.

Burrell, what Maria said.

Self, what Maria said.

Do kids seem to have WAY MORE homework than we did when we were young?

Yes. Even in high school, I never minded getting detention because it meant I could get a lot, if not all, of my homework done and leave the books at school.

Under details, it said "1:02 PM Undeliverable - Incorrect Address." I was here at that address at 1 p.m. Am I supposed to do something or hope USPS figures it out?

Seems worth calling to me, but I don't mind those kinds of calls.