As I sat by the lake one evening alongside my friend Jenna, she posed a poignant question: “Is this the last summer like this?” We watched our children swimming, each engaged in their own summer activities. Her 11-year-old daughter was perfecting her crawl, making her way to the floating dock, while her teenage son lounged in a beach chair, engrossed in a book. Our younger kids, aged 5, splashed joyfully in the designated kiddie area, while my toddler meticulously moved sand from a bulldozer to a bucket, only to dump it out once more.
“No, we will have many more summers like this,” I assured her, but deep down, I understood her concern. The reality is, her teenager would soon be heading off to college, and this might be the last summer when her 11-year-old would desire to swim with family rather than hang out with older kids. The 5-year-olds will soon venture to the floating dock on their own, and my toddler will be learning how to swim before we know it.
Next summer, everything will be different. My 2-year-old will need to be carried less often, and the days of being called “cute baby” will be behind us. The 5-year-olds will grow taller and start showing the first signs of independence—perhaps asking questions about words they hear or exhibiting the early stages of pre-teen moods. They may even prefer snacks from the pantry instead of asking for help or request to skip bedtime tuck-ins.
By then, I might find myself being referred to as “Mom” instead of “Mama.” Diapers, strollers, and sippy cups may become relics of the past. Our vacations could be influenced by school schedules, and soon enough, our eldest might choose summer camp over our beloved lake-house retreat.
“What if my daughter wants to spend all her summers at home after college?” Jenna mused, contemplating her teenager’s potential choices. Meanwhile, my friend Tom, preparing for his only child’s departure to university, remarked, “This is the last summer I’ll have a kid at home.”
Parenting is a series of moments that never replicate themselves (except perhaps during those exhausting early days of newborns when time seems to stand still). Children grow in leaps and bounds—on our drive home from the lake, I witnessed Jenna’s middle child emerge from a bakery looking remarkably older than the child who had entered moments before. I often feel as though I’m lagging behind with my own children; one moment I’m searching for my little one, and the next, my tall boy is standing next to me, towering a full foot above where I last looked.
As I sit here on the final night of our vacation, the cicadas herald the end of summer. My sons, despite being well past their bedtime, are sharing giggles in their room, choosing to sleep together for yet another night. Will this be the last summer they wish to share a room? Is it the final season they’ll find wonder in sparklers or delight in catching fireflies?
Summer, our favorite season, offers a rare stretch of time devoid of the usual morning rush and chaotic dinner routines. For me, these warm months are filled with fleeting moments that tug at my heart, reminding me that time is flowing quickly, like water slipping through my fingers as my boys grow. Soon enough, they will be grown, and there may come a summer when they are absent, leaving my husband and me to fall asleep to the cicadas alone.
Being a parent sharpens your perspective. You become acutely aware of what lies ahead. The older generation will not always be gathered around the dinner table, and the younger generation will outgrow the moments when they can fit comfortably on your lap. Time moves inexorably forward, even in the languid days of July. This summer, indeed, is unlike any other we will experience.
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In summary, as we savor this summer, it’s essential to recognize that each moment is precious and unique. Embrace the changes, cherish the memories, and prepare for the inevitable transformations that lie ahead in our parenting journey.
Keyphrase: Last summer with kids
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