By the time your child turns 18,
you’ve already used 90% of your in-person time together.
How do you want to spend your
18 Summers
THE REAL MATH:
Childhood (Ages 0–18): Between early childhood (lots of time together) and teenage years (less time together), parents average about 4.5 hours a day of physical, in-person time with their kids.
4.5 hours x 365 days x 18 years = 29,565 hours.Adulthood (Ages 18+): Once a kid leaves for college or moves out, parents typically see them for holidays, long weekends, and occasional vacations. Being generous, let’s estimate 10 full days a year of physical, in-person time together.
10 days x 8 waking hours x 40 years = 3,200 hours.The Reality Check:
29,565 + 3,200 = 32,765 total lifetime hours.29,565 / 32,765 = 90%.
By the time your kid packs up for college, you’ve used up 90% of the physical, in-person time you will ever get with them for the rest of your life.