Growing up too fast? Parents say childhood slips by

Children are growing up twice as fast as their parents can keep up — at least, that’s how it feels.A survey of 2,000 parents of children ages 5-17 found that the majority of parents (66%) say a single year with their child passes like at least two, a sign of just how quickly childhood slips by.That rate only seems to accelerate with each passing day: Nearly all parents agree that time seems to move faster as their kids get older (91%).Before their children leave the nest, parents get 17 years to make memories that shape them and last a lifetime.The survey, conducted by Talker Research and commissioned by Club Wyndham, a vacation club that encourages connection and together time,[1.1][2.1][3.1][4.1] found that many parents (79%) feel they have limited time left to travel with their kids before they age out.“Parents often think about childhood in terms of years, but it unfolds in fleeting seasons,” Annie Roberts, senior vice president of club and owner services at Club Wyndham.“Our research shows that families are increasingly aware that those seasons pass quickly, which is why creating shared experiences feels more important than ever.

In fact, 90% of parents told us that family travel is one of the best ways to build the memories they’ll carry with them for years to come.”The average parent believes the window in which kids are both willing and old enough to truly enjoy a family trip spans just seven years between the ages of 7 and 14.On average, parents estimate that kids’ interest in vacationing together begins to wane at around age 12, and by 13, their enthusiasm is completely in the wind.This puts 44% of parents surveyed in danger of missing out, as their kids are already past that “golden age.”However, 94% of parents think their kid is still at an age where they’re interested in vacationing with the family.“One of the most interesting findings was the gap between what families are doing today and what they wish they were doing,” said ...