“The days are long, but the years are short”.
For most parents, the majority of time spent with their children happens in just the first 18 years.
90% of the parenting time you’ll ever have with your kids happens before they turn 18.
Breaking Down Parent-Child Time
From birth to age 18, you are the center of your child’s world. These years are packed with routines—school drop-offs, bedtime stories, and holiday celebrations.
Sometimes, these moments might feel repetitive or even boring. But they hold more significance than you might realize. Missing their games, concerts, spelling bees, or those little moments means missing time you can never get back.
And here’s the honest truth: kids don’t care if you’re perfect. They just care that you’re there. Once your child turns 18, everything changes. They move out, focus on their own lives and those visits? They become fewer—mostly holidays or an occasional weekend.
Here’s a perspective: If you only see your child once a year, by the time you’re 60, you’ll have fewer visits left than the number of candles on your next birthday cake.
That’s why the moments you share now matter so much.
Making the Most of Parent Time
If you’re working long hours or living far from your kids to provide for them, you’re doing an amazing job. Your family depends on your support, and your kids need the opportunities you’re creating for them.
But when you’re home, those precious hours between shifts can be an opportunity to make memories.
As a dad, I’ve always tried to stay involved. When my kids were little, I changed diapers, loved bath time, and played with their baby toys. I purposely chose jobs with set schedules, making sure I was home by 5 p.m. every evening and available every weekend.
Still, it feels like I’m not doing enough. They’re growing so fast, and I already see glimpses of their teenage years when they’ll want to spend more time with friends than family.
So, I’d say: do whatever you need to support your family, but when you have time with your kids, make it count.
Simple Ways to Maximize Your Time
Be all in: Put down your phone, shut out the distractions, and actually be there with your kids. They notice.
Have some fun: Do wrestling, chase them around the yard, or dive into their favorite video game—even if you have no clue what you’re doing.
Start traditions: Whether it’s Friday night pizza, Sunday pancakes, or something totally random like “Funny Hat Thursday,” these are the things they’ll talk about forever.
Celebrate the little stuff: Got an A on a test? Lost a tooth? Found the world’s biggest puddle? Pump them up for those small wins. They’re a big deal.
Get in their world: Let them teach you about their hobbies or passions, whether it’s skateboarding, coding, or Paw Patrol, and actually care about it.
The years may seem to fly by, but the memories you create now will last a lifetime. Show up, stay engaged, and treasure every moment, because these years won’t come back.