Whoever said April is the cruelest month wasn’t the parent of a child in school - in June.

This is the season of the half day, the one-hour day, the random day off for teacher development and the flurry of end-of-the-year concerts, award ceremonies, playoff games and field trips that conspire to wreak havoc with the schedule of any parent who works away from home. To add to the stress, any semblance of formal after-school programming is also suspended.

It’s also the season of the open wallet, as money flows freely for field trips, yearbooks and gifts for teachers and coaches, not to mention never ending potluck food and drink contributions for parties up the wazoo.

I don’t want to engage in one of those kerfuffles over who has it worse: the working parent or the stay-at-home one, the one who’s married to an all-but-absentee spouse or the single one, the shift worker or the professional. We’re all in this together, right? (odds are you don’t have to click the link to know what show that’s from, as it’s become a staple.)

My friend works full-time for one of the Big Four professional services firms in a job requiring lots of travel. Her husband was a stay-at-home dad for awhile, but has gone back to work. Both soccer moms, we sat under a tree this week spritzing ourselves and comparing logistical solutions while watching the last game of the season play out in 90-degree heat - before it was even noon. 

For perspective, we talked about a woman she knows whose husband died of cancer at age 50, leaving her with a 10-year-old and four-year-old twins. She has no real career to speak of, and doesn’t want one. She’s living for now on the life insurance.

Then it was back to my car, the well-worn Honda (HMC) Accord whose air conditioning just doesn’t want to give me another year. I spent close to $700 to fix the AC last year. You get the picture.

My personal fantasy has always been to spend an entire summer down the shore. Up at dawn to walk on the beach. Making the time to learn how to cook. Taking lots of photographs. Spending time with friends. Barefoot and half naked (but not pregnant). A human being. Not a human doing. Slowing down. Off the grid.

As you read this, I’m actually in Germany where my daughter will spend the next three weeks living with a family and going to school - one that will remain in session, mind you, until mid-July.

My great big vow is to stay away from all things requiring me to keep in touch with my real world - no email, no texting, no voicemail, no Facebook.

Anyone else out there want to start a lobby to add year-round education to the list of critical issues for the nation? Or better yet, combine that with compulsory four-week summer vacation for all?

Are you a parent already feeling fried this summer? Weigh in on The Exchange.