Adventures Apart, Stronger Together

This week was wild, beautiful, exhausting stretches of summer that remind me just how important it is to give each of my kids their own space to shine.

On Sunday, I dropped my son off at epilepsy camp. This his absolute favorite week of the entire year. If you’ve been following along, you know how powerful this week is for him. It’s not just camp it’s a rare space where every single person “gets it.” He’s surrounded by kids who live with the same diagnosis, counselors who understand every need, and a community where he never has to explain himself. And for me? I get to exhale, knowing he’s in hands that truly understand and can care for him without hesitation.

With my son happily settled, my daughter and I set off for our own adventure. She’s been wanting to visit her girlfriend, she met at summer camp last year in Colorado, and with her brother away, it was the perfect moment. We drove six hours the first night, then took the scenic route up and over the breathtaking San Juan Scenic Byway. We had long stretches in the car to listen to our audiobook, sing along to musicals, and have those meandering mother daughter conversations that don’t happen when life is rushing by.

When we arrived in Carbondale, she was beyond excited to see her friend. The week was filled with hiking, soaking in the Colorado scenery, savoring local food and coffee, and enjoying slow moments together. Studies actually back up what I felt in my heart that week: spending one-on-one time with your children not only strengthens your bond, but also boosts their self-esteem, improves communication, and helps them feel more secure in who they are. These moments matter, and they leave a lasting imprint on both parent and child.

By Thursday, we powered through the long drive home, tired but grateful. The next day, it was time to pick up my son from epilepsy camp. Coming home after a week in a place where he feels completely understood is always an emotional adjustment for him. The transition is hard; he feels the weight of leaving “his people,” and it takes time for him to settle back into real life. There were hiccups, a few unhappy moments, and plenty of patience required.

But by Saturday night (the only night we all sat down for dinner that week) we found our groove again. Over a simple meal, we shared our adventures, swapped stories, and reconnected as a family. One dinner, but it was enough to close out a week full of individual experiences and shared love.

This season of life is a juggling act; balancing co-parenting, medical needs, travel, and growing kids who each need something different from me. But weeks like this remind me that giving them their own space to thrive, and then coming back together, is its own form of family magic.

Whether it’s a week at camp, a long road trip, or just an afternoon together, those one-on-one moments with our kids leave an imprint that lasts far beyond the summer. I’d love to hear what is your favorite way to connect with your child? Share your ideas in the comments so we can inspire each other to make every moment count.