We are wrapping up Summer 2026 – my sons are ages 7, 9, and 10 – and here are some things I want to remember about this season of our life.
I have big kids and tweens now!
My eyes are full open to the fact that I have big kids and tweens now. Their faces are changing. Their clothing style preferences are emerging. Their independence is growing.
We spend time in dressing rooms now trying on clothes. Gone are the days I choose their clothes or grab the same item in three different colors. I am now making barber shop appointments, because a buzz cut from Dad is no longer the hairstyle my oldest wants. They’re packing their own clothes for trips with a list I give them.
I am researching deodorants (why are there so many options?!) and resources to talk to them about puberty. We are having lots of conversations around appropriate and inappropriate behavior, positive behavior in friendships and social settings, what the bible and God says, and feeling secure in who they are.
Phone numbers scribbled on tiny scraps of paper are coming home left and right! They are eager for social time with their friends outside of school, leading to friend time at the park and more. We now also have a regular rotation of talking to their IRL friends online while playing video games together.
We now have three extra pairs of hands to maintain our home! The foundation we built with the clean-up song when they were toddlers is in full operation now. There is always more to teach them, but currently they collectively own the responsibility of putting away their clothes, managing their bathroom, all bathroom trash, putting away clean dishes, maintaining and vacuuming their bedrooms, sweeping, general tidying, and anything else we happen to ask for their help… mostly always without complaint and I’ll take it.
They are very helpful to my husband in maintaining our yard, garage, and off road spaces. We include them in it all!
Sharing hobbies
In this season, I am enjoying different hobbies with each of my kids one on one. I LOVE IT!
My eldest and I are fully enjoying our dirtbikes together. I learn from him every time we ride, and although his passion is unmatched, I am grateful that I can understand and appreciate this hobby with him.
My middle son and I are the readers of the family. He is always down to go to the bookstore or library, browse books, and start reading one right there on the spot.
My youngest and I are in our journaling era. He is even starting to build up a small journal collection of his own. I love what he chooses to document in his journal, the pictures he asks me to print for him, and the way his creativity comes out in this way.
As for hobbies with Dad, all of them are on a 3D printing spree and loving it together. We’ve sent a 3D dragon to our godson in Texas, and building up a collection to send our nieces and nephews one, too!
Their sibling relationship
I am witnessing a new version of this precious brotherhood.
All the normal sibling bickering and fights persist as to be expected. But, more than ever, I see them choosing one another more.
I see them inviting one another into play of all kinds, developing new games and inside jokes, and including one another with their friends.
Two of my sons once butted heads badly. I would so often pray to God for help in their sibling relationship. I think we are on our way out of that season. They’re now embracing their shared hobbies together more often than competing over them. Thank you, God!
When one is out to the store with a parent or grandparent, they always bring back a drink or treat they chose for their brothers. When I forget to hand out vitamins before bed, one of them covers that base for all. Their morning and goodnight hugs melt my heart.
Brothers ❤️
Looking ahead
My sons start 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade in five days. My youngest turns 8 this month, and my older two turn 10 and 11 in October. God willing, I am 333 days away from resigning from my job and pausing my 14+ year career in higher education administration to begin our homeschool journey for the middle school years (more on that to come here on the blog). Change is coming! The kids are growing!
It’s so important to pause and take in the season we are in. I want to remember it all. ❤️