What U-Haul Taught Me About Parenting
Okay, real talk here again! My husband and I just finished moving one of our kids home from school for the summer. It was hot and exhausting! It’s not the first time, nor will it be our last time.
I just posted the following on my personal Instagram account: Any other parents have a love/hate relationship with their kids coming home for the summer?? Also, at what age do we outgrow U-Haul? Asking for a friend….”
As a parent, what’s your relationship with summer break? And for those with children who are moving home for their summer break, that too has its challenges, right? Dare I say it’s a bit of an emotional rollercoaster moving our children in and out of dorms, to school, and back home again for summer break. It's a ritual that encapsulates the full spectrum of parental emotions – from overwhelming pride to anxiety to bone-deep exhaustion.
Every time we load up the car, stuffed to the brim with boxes and bags (seriously, who else is obsessed with the giant “Ikea-like” blue duffel bags?), carrying the essentials of their lives, there's this mix of emotions in the air. Personally, I can't help but anticipate having my kids back home, all together under one roof! It's powerful to witness the independent young adults they’re becoming. But let's be real... there's that part of us that secretly wishes to keep them close, sheltered from life's uncertainties for just a bit longer, right?
Each time I’ve helped my kids navigate the crowded hallways of dormitories and a seemingly overwhelming campus, a sense of nostalgia washes over me. It feels like just yesterday I was in their shoes and moving into Cottage 2 when I arrived at boarding school, terrified and simultaneously excited. And it was only yesterday that I was holding my children’s tiny fingers for the first time and before I knew it, I was moving my daughter into her own boarding school dorm. Now, I’m helping them navigate the complexities of college, graduate school and young adult life, offering advice and support from the sidelines as they carve their own paths.
But amidst the flurry of activity, and renting one too many U-Haul’s – lugging furniture, unpacking belongings, and bidding tearful goodbyes (usually my tears!) – there's profound satisfaction too. I sense the excitement in their eyes, hear the anticipation in their voices as they embark on another chapter of their lives. I also notice their subtle hints of hesitation and anxiety about becoming more grown up. And in those moments, my heart is full of gratitude for the privilege of being a parent, their parent.
As the school year is winding down and summer break looms on the horizon, another wave of emotions crashes over us. The anticipation of having them back home, under our roof, is palpable. We eagerly await the sound of their laughter filling the house once more, the warmth of their presence comforting us in ways words cannot express. Going to bed with my phone turned off, as they are all home again under one roof. If you know, you know.
But with their return comes the inevitable whirlwind of activity – the endless piles of clothes on their floor, the unmade bed, the late-night conversations, the constant grocery store shopping, and the dishes in the sink, the comings, and goings. It's a reminder that parenting is both a labor of love and an exercise in patience. And as we collapse into bed each night, bone-tired but content, we're reminded that despite the challenges, there's nowhere else we'd rather be than by their side. And so, it goes.
In the end, the ritual of moving our children back and forth is a testament to the depth of love and sacrifice that defines parenthood. It's a journey filled with highs and lows, laughter, tears and yes, unpredictable turns. And as we stand on the threshold of each “season” of parenting, we're reminded that no matter where life takes us, our love will always be the anchor that our children need, helping them to find their own way.