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I’ve come to understand that my teenagers care for me, but they’ve clearly indicated they prefer to celebrate the 4th of July with their friends rather than me. Although I would love to spend the day at the beach or hosting a barbecue together, I completely respect their choice—after all, I remember how torturous it felt to hang out with my own parents during those high school years.
My daughter has already mapped out a fun-filled summer for herself. She’s excited about getting her nails done, planning a lavish 16th birthday party (the dress is already bought), and visiting a nearby farm to spend time with animals.
I’ve committed to making those plans happen and even more.
Meanwhile, my youngest has turned our home into a tree nursery. His room resembles a mini-forest with saplings sprouting from acorns he collected. We’ve made multiple trips to buy seeds, and I suspect there’s an ant colony thriving in one of his drawers. Out of sight, out of mind, right?
My oldest has been spending his evenings with his girlfriend and consuming an alarming amount of red meat. Still, every time he asks for something from the grocery store, I gladly oblige, and we enjoy grilling together. Those moments are priceless.
Our teens have shown resilience through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, emerging stronger and more appreciative of family, friends, and the simple pleasures of life. This summer, I’m determined to make it special—it’s a stark contrast to last year, when I was constantly saying no: “No, we can’t go to the movies.” “No, you can’t hang out with your friends.” “No, we can’t visit the water park.”
Last summer, parents had to impose limits out of fear, which was necessary at the time.
Although my teens may not be clamoring for me to be their tour guide every day, they have their own requests that may seem trivial to some. They want to spend time with friends, and my daughter is thrilled to have a few guests at her birthday bash this year. My son is simply glad to be working again.
I know there will be days when they’ll ask for more than one ice cream cone from our local shop or want to make s’mores at midnight and sleep on the deck. They may even want our pet ducks indoors. I have no doubt they’ll request trips to thrift stores and the dollar store, which they missed dearly. And my answer will always be yes.
For my family, this summer will be the season of saying yes. We will focus on activities that bring us joy and make us feel like we’re embracing normalcy again. This year feels like a gift we didn’t have last summer.
Just because my kids are older doesn’t mean they’ve lost the excitement of simple outings or spontaneous fun. I feel incredibly lucky to have them healthy and here with me, and I appreciate that this year allows me to say yes to their wishes.
If they want to stay up late watching movies or whip up pancakes at midnight, I’m all in. They are embracing the moment, and I can see how grateful they are for my affirmative responses. Those moments are invaluable.
Here’s to a summer filled with “Yes”!
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