It might sound like the beginning of a joke, but here we are: a lapsed Catholic and a non-practicing Muslim navigating life in an Orthodox Jewish community, raising our sole child. We’re the peculiar outsiders with our quirky kid, and let’s be honest—only children often come with their own set of stereotypes that could easily fill a horror film.
In the summer, our neighborhood resembles a ghost town. Families escape to their beach retreats or enroll their children in lavish camps where they can learn everything from macramé to horseback riding. Back in March, as I scoured the camp listings, I fantasized about crafting dandelion crowns and sunbathing lazily. But fast forward to today, and after two rounds of Monopoly and a tea party with her American Girl dolls, we’re both left glaring at one another. I wear too many hats as my daughter’s mother, playmate, and stand-in sibling—all of which leaves us both feeling a little unsatisfied.
I often daydream about a rental service for siblings—imagine picking up a pretend brother on the way to the beach and dropping him off afterward. It would also be a game changer for those summer amusement park trips; I wouldn’t have to brave all the dizzying rides!
Haven’t we already done enough throughout the year? Sleepovers, organic lemonade stands, playdates, birthday celebrations, piano lessons, swim classes, and tennis—all while I narrowly avoided the temptation of Russian Math and thankfully drew the line at Mandarin lessons. The competition extends beyond our kids, too. I was somehow convinced to join Pure Barre classes—exercise aimed at affluent white women—and even splurged on the trendy workout gear. I now sport yoga stirrup pants and backless workout tops, looking like a cast member from a poorly executed 80s music video.
Honestly, I’m exhausted from trying to keep pace with suburban life. Can’t we just take a breather, kiddo? How about running around under the lawn sprinkler instead? I have no interest in chatting with the slender moms in their sundresses discussing the latest OPI pedicure shades while you learn to code on your laptop. What I truly want is to sink into my rickety Adirondack chair, sipping non-organic hard lemonade while jamming to 70s soft rock, unshaven legs and all—just like my own mother did.
I understand that it’s boring for her. After all, she has no siblings to play with. I didn’t have to ponder these things while growing up; I had my siblings and neighborhood friends—a wild tribe of kids, running barefoot and buying Rocket Pops from the ice cream truck using our savings.
To compensate for the lack of a sibling, we welcomed a puppy into our home. Yet, I soon discovered that a puppy can’t tag along on spontaneous weekend getaways or spend a day at the beach.
I have a sinking feeling that this won’t shape up to be a summer filled with cozy evenings around the fire pit, roasting marshmallows while singing Kumbaya. So, I ask my daughter what could make this the most amazing summer of her six-year-old life. Without missing a beat, she replies, “Building an Elsa castle.”
And just like that, we’re crafting a Nordic cardboard castle in our driveway. “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” she cheerily sings. Not particularly, but I dive into the task anyway. I figure if we build it, the other kids will surely come around to join us. At least that’s what I hope for as I take another swig of hard lemonade.
For more tips on family life, check out our other posts, including this one about navigating the journey of artificial insemination. And for authoritative information on babbling and parenting, visit this link. If you’re interested in the ins and outs of insemination techniques, Healthline offers excellent resources.
Summary:
In a humorous and relatable piece, Lisa Anderson shares the challenges of raising an only child during summer in a suburban neighborhood, where families are often preoccupied with elaborate camps and activities. As she reflects on her own childhood and the absence of siblings for her daughter, she navigates the complexities of parenting and societal pressures while trying to create memorable experiences. Ultimately, she embraces creativity and spontaneity, culminating in a summer filled with imaginative projects rather than conventional outings.