As time has passed, certain responsibilities assigned to the kids have gradually diminished or been taken over by others. My partner, Mark, has incorporated the task of filling the dog’s food bowls into his evening routine, and considering the amount of dog hair I swept from the floor today, it’s evident that no one is regularly brushing the dog anymore. However, one tradition has remained: our nightly family dog walk.
In the past, it was simple to gather the four of us along with our canine friend for an evening stroll on the greenbelt, especially when the kids were in elementary school. Nowadays, we typically manage to assemble as a complete family only on warm summer evenings, when neither homework nor the inclement winter weather interferes. Even then, the occasions when we’re all together are few and far between. This week, however, we found a rare window in our schedules and were blessed with an unexpectedly warm evening, so off we went for our family walk. It was an ideal way to conclude a busy day, and even if the night had ended there, I would have considered it a tremendous success—a family dinner followed by a walk felt akin to winning the lottery!
But the evening took a delightful turn.
We live in an age characterized by hyper-scheduled parenting and family life, yet some moments cannot be planned or orchestrated. After we returned home, I stepped outside to cool off in the pool. I noticed our kids pouring lemonade in the kitchen and anticipated that they would take their drinks and retreat to their separate spaces with their devices. Contrary to my expectations, one child quietly came outside, soon followed by the other, with Mark and the dog trailing behind. Without hesitation, we gathered around the edge of the pool, continuing the relaxed conversation we had started during the walk. It was a remarkable gift.
As we navigate this transitional phase with our daughter preparing to leave for college soon and our son not too far behind, I, like many parents, harbor various hopes for my children’s futures. However, my most selfish wish is that even after they establish their own lives and families, we will still occasionally find ourselves together, enjoying the evening sky and cherishing each other’s company, discussing everything or nothing at all. Again.
This article was originally published on July 20, 2015. For more insights on family dynamics and parenting, consider visiting our privacy policy page, which offers additional resources.
Summarizing this piece, it highlights the importance of unplugged family time amidst our modern, busy lives. It emphasizes the value of spontaneous moments of connection and the hope for lasting family bonds despite the inevitable changes that come with growth and independence.