As I dive into this story, I must warn you: it ends on a cliffhanger. So, prepare for a shared journey as we both discover how this summer unfolds.
This summer has brought my two older children back home after spending a couple of years living independently. Additionally, my youngest, who has just begun college, will be residing with us full-time as well. After a brief glimpse of what an empty nest might feel like, I’m now back to a bustling household. Anyone else curious to see how this (temporary) reunion plays out?
While I say “temporary,” it’s important to clarify that my nest was never completely empty. My youngest, still in high school, has always been around, but his presence often feels like a specter—his scent of deodorant and remnants of Taco Bell left behind are the only signs of life. Plus, my middle child has been popping in and out all year from his local college, so there has been plenty of activity, even when it seemed like the house was quieter.
This reunion is a brief pause for my adult children before they head off to continue their own independent paths in the fall. I’m acutely aware that once this summer of connection wraps up, we may very well be looking at the last chapter of our life as a family of six.
I’ve had time to come to grips with our final summer together, but the sheer volume of belongings returning home has been overwhelming. Each carload of boxes that made its way through my front door felt like it was shrinking the rooms of my once-spacious home. However, after a few deep breaths, I decided to embrace the chaos.
I think my kids might be surprised to see how much more relaxed I’ve become since their last visit. I’ve always maintained a structured household with rules and expectations—feel free to check my previous posts about my son’s high school experience, which included some pretty strict guidelines. I’ve always valued common courtesy; after all, it’s not that hard to pick up after oneself.
But the sheer amount of stuff now occupying my second floor—roughly equivalent to two apartments—has transformed my once ironclad resolve into relaxed acceptance. It’s gotten to the point where some areas of my home could be considered disaster zones. Instead of stressing about how our home might look to others, I’ve decided to channel my inner Disney princess and simply let it go.
It’s a lively, chaotic scene in our family room, and while I remind myself that I can handle this, I sometimes catch myself smiling. Strangely enough, I’ve come to appreciate the temporary disarray. Perhaps age has softened me, or maybe I’m just feeling the fatigue of life’s unexpected twists. Whatever the reason, I’ve chosen to revel in these summer days with my messy, wonderful family.
The fact that we’re all under one roof again wasn’t by grand design; it just happened to work out with leases ending and new opportunities on the horizon. My beds are full, and even the couches are often occupied. I’ve walked into rooms to find someone asleep with the lights on and electronics buzzing. In years past, that would have frustrated me, but now I simply turn off the devices and tiptoe out, choosing peace over annoyance.
I find myself pondering if my children have noticed my new laid-back approach. Do they roll their eyes when they see me hitting the sack before they even come home? I sometimes wonder if my own mother would be aghast at my decision not to charge my adult children rent this summer. After much contemplation, I concluded that I want my kids to see our home as a haven they can return to without strings attached. This could very well be our last summer living together, and I want it to be a joyful experience for everyone.
I also find myself curious about the ambitious plans my older children have made for their futures—moving across the country with their partners in search of new adventures. Will my younger ones follow in their footsteps, leaving us to navigate a larger house with fewer occupants? Or will we find ourselves crafting new adventures of our own?
So yes, the increased grocery bills, the clutter, and the laundry all get a “Who Cares?” shrug for now because I’m truly enjoying this summer. I love the late-night sibling banter that fills our home and the rare occasions when we all gather for dinner, even if it’s just for 30 minutes before everyone heads off again.
But back to that cliffhanger: we’ll have to see if this new, easygoing version of me can survive the chaos until August. Will I still be cheerfully picking up after everyone, or will my patience wear thin? For now, we’re taking it one day at a time, because every parent knows how quickly things can change.
In summary, my summer is filled with the joys and challenges of having my adult children back home, and I’m embracing the chaos that comes with it.
Keyphrase: Grown kids home for the summer
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