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Eighteen Summers with Our Kids Just Aren’t Enough
When I first became a mom, with my little one barely a year old, I had a chat with a more experienced mother who had older kids. She told me, “You only get eighteen summers with them before they’re off on their own—just like that!” as she snapped her fingers dramatically. I nodded along, trying to look understanding, while secretly thinking how exciting it was that school supplies were showing up at Target again—it gave me a whole new reason to browse the aisles!
Now, fast forward twelve years. I’m a mom of four, and let me tell you, those eighteen summers fly by quicker than I could have imagined. Between summer jobs, mission trips, internships, and sleepaway camps, my kids are busier than I ever was. Maybe it’s hitting me harder this year because my oldest is turning thirteen. Thirteen! A teenager! I can hardly believe it.
And here’s where my reluctance to bid farewell to summer kicks in. So technically, I have five more summers with her, right? But five feels so small. I know the lazy days filled with swimming, library trips, and beach sunsets are fading away. I can see her newfound independence blossoming—she can sleep through the night like a champ and is always wanting to hang out with friends. While I know we’ve done our job as parents to foster this independence, it still stings a little. I don’t want to stop taking her to the waterpark or the science museum. I want her to keep thinking those outings are fun! I hope she still finds joy in building forts with her siblings while we lounge in pajamas. I want her to think crafts and popsicle-stick dollhouses are worth the effort.
But here’s the thing about parenting: it’s not just about what I want. So, I’m not exactly thrilled about school starting and summer coming to a close because it feels like a chapter ending, and endings have never been my strong suit.
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In summary, as our kids grow and their summers become filled with new experiences, it’s bittersweet for parents who cherish those fleeting moments together.