I still see the ghost of the toddler whose smile was so wide, running through the pumpkin patch. Bright orange adorning the field and sweatshirt weather are two of my favorite things in fall. Making fall family memories as my children grow older is different.

Now the pictures of friends with their little ones’ big smiles holding their chosen fall pumpkins bring back that joy I felt seeing the same scene when my children were younger. They are cherished memories I am so thankful I did not miss.

My children are the older kids now, so many of the typical fall activities are less appealing than they used to be. They do not need to have their picture taken in the scarecrow cut-out board. They are not begging me daily to go pick out pumpkins.

Making fall memories as the children get older makes me feel grateful for the ghosts of past Octobers.

Now we are experiencing the shift of our children growing up and it is not bad at all. There is no more rush and hustle to get the kids dressed. The preparation and planning to make sure we have each costume complete is now taken over by each of them.

Things are simpler now.

These days, we can enjoy October movies together. And as we’re smooshed together on the couch, we can all  appreciate the experiences that October provides.

Read the full article about fall family memories on Spouselink.