Imagine a fallen Catholic and a lapsed Muslim moving into an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood to raise their sole child. It sounds like the setup for a punchline, but that’s us—an unconventional family with a unique kid. Let’s be honest, only children often seem like they belong in horror flicks.
During summer, this place turns into a ghost town. Most families escape to their quaint beach houses or enroll their kids in all-day camps where they master the art of macramé and horseback riding. Back in March, as camp slots filled up, I envisioned afternoons weaving dandelion crowns and soaking up the sun. Instead, we’ve had two rounds of Monopoly and a tea party with American Girl dolls, and let me tell you, we were both less than thrilled. I’m her mother, playmate, and sister all in one, and it’s equally underwhelming for both of us.
I sometimes think it would be fantastic if parents of only children could rent a sibling for a day. You could pick up your pretend brother on your way to the beach and drop him off on the way back. It would be especially useful for summer trips to amusement parks, so I wouldn’t have to endure all those dizzying rides!
Haven’t we done enough throughout the year? Sleepovers, organic lemonade stands, playdates, birthday bashes, piano, swimming, and tennis—all of it adds up. I even fell for the allure of Russian Math, but thankfully, I drew the line at Mandarin lessons. The competitive atmosphere isn’t limited to the kids; I got roped into Pure Barre classes—exercise for the affluent—and splurged on the trendy workout gear. Picture me in yoga stirrups with sticky feet, looking like a misplaced character from an ‘80s music video.
I’m exhausted from trying to keep pace with suburban life. Kiddo, can we just take a breather? How about you run through the lawn sprinkler while I sip non-organic hard lemonade and bask in my splintery Adirondack chair, listening to the soft rock of the ‘70s, with unshaven legs—just like my mom used to do?
I understand it can be dull for her. There’s no one around to play with. Growing up, I had my siblings and neighborhood friends, and we roamed freely until dusk. We dashed around barefoot and bought Rocket Pops from the ice cream truck with our piggy bank savings.
To fill the sibling gap, we recently got a puppy. But I quickly learned that pups can’t join us on spontaneous summer getaways or spend long days at the beach.
I have a feeling this isn’t going to be a summer of campfires and marshmallow roasting. When I asked my daughter what would make this the most amazing summer of her young life, she replied without hesitation, “Building an Elsa castle.”
So here we are, constructing a Nordic cardboard castle in our driveway. “Do you want to build a snowman?” she sings cheerfully. Not particularly, but I roll up my sleeves and dive in. I figure all those pony-riding, computer-coding kids will want to join in on our fun. If we build it, they will come. At least that’s what I hope for as I take another sip of my hard lemonade.
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Summary:
The piece reflects on the unique challenges and humorous aspects of raising an only child during the summer in a suburban neighborhood. With a blend of nostalgia and modern pressures, the author shares her experiences of trying to keep her daughter entertained without the presence of siblings, ultimately leading to the whimsical construction of a cardboard castle.
Keyphrase: Summer with an Only Child
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