This time of year

Dear all of us,
If you have school aged children then you know first hand how much this time of year stinks. Stinks? It sucks. There is an end of year party for every activity that your child/children are in. There are teacher gifts to buy(G_d bless those teachers), there are recitals, performances, graduations and so on.  In between all of the crazy, the kids still have homework and depending where you live there are the dreaded end of year tests.
I have been dealing with the dreaded end of year standardized tests for 5 years now and I have 4 more years to go.
They might be the death of me.
Seriously, the death of me.
Starting in 3rd grade(where I live) children are expected to take a standardized test. Most of the kids are told that if they don't do well that they will be held back.
Awesome motivator isn't it????
No! It's not!
We have no opt out option here although I'm sure there will be one as soon as my kids are done with the tests.
So, how do I explain these tests to my kids? I tell them that I expect them to do their best no matter what that is. I know, and I hope that they know that one test does not tell us anything about them. One test does not tell me about their academic successes or struggles. One test does not tell me if they are a good friend, person, daughter and so on. One test does not tell me what they will be successful at once they finish college.
I want my kids to do THEIR best. I want them to follow THEIR interests. I don't want them to watch a years worth of hard work to go out the window because of one test.
Do you have standardized testing where you are? How do you handle the stress?

I think a little wine is in order….