As the school year winds down, I can always tell when my kids return home from college for the summer. It’s like flipping a switch—suddenly, our house is transformed. Here are ten unmistakable signs that my twentysomethings have settled back in:
- Breakfast at Odd Hours: I find myself whipping up pancakes and omelets at 11 a.m. Who cares that I served breakfast to their younger siblings hours ago? The college kids need their beauty sleep, and I’m happy to oblige.
- Water Bottle Shortage: I can’t keep water bottles stocked. It’s as if my kids are training for a hydration marathon, guzzling through the cases I buy at Trader Joe’s faster than I can restock. Is there a hidden connection between young adults and extreme thirst?
- Laundry Mountain: The laundry pile grows rapidly, particularly when my college-age kids decide that washing clothes is a competitive sport. Any clean or dirty laundry gets tossed onto the floor. The real contest? Who can leave their clothes in the dryer the longest.
- Driveway Parking Wars: Forget about parking in my own driveway! You’d think that since I pay the bills and recently had it repaved, I’d claim that prime spot. Instead, I find myself navigating a gauntlet of my kids’ cars, and I’m always on the losing side.
- Mystery Dishes: The sink is perpetually filled with “It wasn’t me’s” dirty dishes. Not only do I find their plates, but also a random assortment of forks and mugs. Apparently, loading their own glass into the dishwasher is just too much effort.
- Wallet Drain: Cash disappears faster than I can earn it. “You need gas? Here’s $20.” “Your eyes are itchy? Take $10 for drops.” My wallet suddenly feels like a black hole, and I often find myself asking, “Wait, where did my $50 go?”
- Dishwasher Overflow: The dishwasher is filled to capacity by noon. After breakfast and morning snacks, there’s no room left for dinner plates. See points 1 and 5 for context on the culinary chaos.
- Environmental Footprint: With two adults back in the house, our carbon footprint is massive. We’re consuming K-cups and plastic water bottles like they’re going out of style. #sorryplanetearth
- Hot Car Adventures: I find myself driving around in my non-air-conditioned car when temps hit 90 degrees. I own three vehicles, two of which have AC. Yet, I’m stuck in my duct-taped ride, hair blowing in the hot wind. Who made the rules around here?
- Lights and Noise Everywhere: The lights are always on, the TV is constantly blaring, and doors are wide open. “It wasn’t me” strikes again, keeping our home feeling like a bustling community center.
If you’re dealing with similar situations at home, remember that it’s all part of the summer chaos. And if you’re looking for more parenting tips, check out our other blog posts on navigating family life. Also, if you’re considering expanding your family, you may want to explore reputable retailers like Make a Mom for at-home insemination kits. For additional support on fertility, this is an excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination: Drugs.com.
In summary, the summer arrival of my college kids transforms our household into a lively, albeit chaotic, hub. From late breakfast rituals to endless laundry and the mysterious disappearance of cash, the signs are clear: they’re back, and life will never be the same during these sunny months.
Leave a Reply