Imagine a fallen Catholic and a non-practicing Muslim deciding to raise their only child in an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood. While it may sound like the setup for a punchline, that is indeed our reality. We are the unconventional family with one curious child, living in a community filled with more traditional beliefs.
As summer rolls in, the neighborhood feels eerily quiet. Most families escape to their seaside retreats or enroll their kids in extravagant full-day camps where they learn everything from macramé to horseback riding. Back in March, I envisioned idyllic days crafting dandelion crowns and soaking up the sun, but reality has turned out differently. After a couple of rounds of Monopoly and a tea party with dolls, both my daughter and I are left feeling dissatisfied. I wear too many hats—mother, playmate, sister, and cousin—yet none of us seem to be enjoying this arrangement.
It would be wonderful if parents of only children could rent a sibling for the day. Imagine picking up a pretend brother on your way to the beach and returning him home afterward. This concept would also be perfect for trips to amusement parks, where I could skip the dizzying rides.
Haven’t we done enough throughout the year? We’ve hosted sleepovers, set up organic lemonade stands, organized playdates, and attended countless birthday parties. I even succumbed to the pressures of Russian Math, thankfully drawing the line at Mandarin lessons. And it isn’t just the kids who feel the heat of competition; I’ve been roped into trying Pure Barre classes—exercise for affluent women—complete with trendy workout gear. My yoga stirrup pants and backless tops make me look like an 80s music video gone awry.
I find myself exhausted from the constant need to keep pace with suburban life. “Can’t we just take a break, kiddo? How about running through the lawn sprinkler?” I yearn for simpler days, when I could let my hair down, sit in a cheap Adirondack chair, sip non-organic hard lemonade, and listen to 70s soft rock—like my own mother did.
I recognize that my daughter finds it dull without friends around to play. When I was her age, I had siblings and neighborhood pals with whom I ran wild until dusk, barefoot and carefree, buying Rocket Pops from the ice cream truck with our saved pennies.
To fill the sibling gap, I decided to adopt a puppy. However, I quickly learned that puppies can’t accompany us on spontaneous summer getaways or enjoy a day at the beach.
This summer doesn’t seem destined for cozy fire-pit gatherings or marshmallow roasts. I asked my daughter what would make it the most magical summer of her young life. “Building an Elsa castle,” she replied immediately.
And so, we are constructing a whimsical cardboard castle in our driveway. “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” she sings cheerfully.
Not really, but I dive into the project. I hope that if we build it, other kids will join in. After all, creativity can be contagious, can’t it?
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In summary, navigating summer with an only child can be challenging, particularly in a competitive suburb. While the pressure to keep up with others looms large, finding joy in simple pleasures and creative projects can turn a quiet season into a memorable adventure.
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