Endoftermitis
Endoftermitis is a highly infectious disease, most commonly seen in the last couple of weeks of the school term. The exact cause has not been isolated but it is thought to be due to a combination of tiredness, excitement and anxiety.
Endoftermitis usually affects children of primary school age, but older children can also be affected. Parents of infected children often develop a reactive, possibly immune mediated form of the disease, which presents with symptoms including tongue-biting, deep sighing, eye-rolling and often progresses to voice-raising.
In children, endoftermitis is characterised by unprompted bouts of weeping, whining and yelling, and by blatant disobedience in response to previously well-tolerated requests such as ‘Please come and have your dinner’ and ‘Please get your shoes on, it’s time for school’. Children may be prone to sudden vocal outbursts involving the phrases ‘It’s not fair’, ‘I don’t want to’, ‘You can’t make me’ and ‘I hate you.’
Early diagnosis of endoftermitis is beneficial for both children and adults affected. It is easy in usually well-behaved children, but challenging or spirited children can often be wrongly diagnosed with spoiltbratitis or notenoughexercise syndrome. The presenting signs are similar but the cause is quite different.
There is no specific treatment for endoftermitis as, by its nature, it is generally a self limiting illness. Supportive measures such as early bedtimes, plenty of fresh air, and limiting screen time can help. Time out for all affected parties can also alleviate symptoms.
Endoftermitis symptoms usually vanish on or around the last day of term, when they are promptly replaced those of holidayitis. These include refusal to go to bed until it gets dark, lack of interest in anything that doesn’t appear on a screen of some description and attempting to eat a week’s worth grocery shopping in just 3 days.
This post is dedicated to the lovely Northernmum, who gave me the idea for this post by chatting with me on Twitter.
Bring on the holidays – I think I am affected by endoftermitis more severely than the kids.
Yes, I think that’s quite common. It’s about 50:50 here.
Hasn’t kicked in yet here… Only a matter of time, though.
You never know, you might escape!
Illness can be fully prevented with a regimen of unschooling and child led learning
This preventative approach is often quite effective with children but not all parents react well to this technique, resulting in an alarming decline in mental health.
Totally 100% most definitely agree! This endoftermitis usually kicks in around 3 weeks before the end of term, sometimes a little earlier in the summer term….we are all just counting the days but I know that 3 weeks before the start of the new school year, I shall be counting the days until they go back. Never a dull moment!
This is great. Really enjoyed reading. I don’t yet have a LO at school but i’m not looking forward to endoftermitis!