CLUB NEWS | JULY 22, 2026

Only 17 Summers Together

Children are growing up twice as fast as their parents can keep up — or at least, that's how it feels.

A survey of 2,000 parents of children ages 5–17 found that 66% say a single year with their child passes like two, a reflection of just how quickly childhood seems to slip by. That feeling only intensifies over time, with 91% agreeing that the years seem to move faster as their children get older.

Before children leave the nest, parents have just 17 summers to create the memories that shape a lifetime. The survey, conducted by Talker Research and commissioned by Club Wyndham, a vacation club that encourages connection and together time, found that 79% of parents feel they have limited time left to travel with their kids before they age out of family vacations.

"Parents often think about childhood in terms of years, but it unfolds in fleeting seasons," said 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 Years That Matter Most

Parents believe the "golden age" for family vacations lasts only about seven years — from ages 7 to 14.

On average, parents say their children's interest in vacationing together begins to fade around age 12, and by age 13, that enthusiasm has often disappeared.

That leaves 44% of parents surveyed at risk of missing that window, as their children are already past what many consider the ideal age for family travel.

Still, there's reason for optimism: 94% of parents believe their child 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," Roberts said. "While parentstold us they take an average of two family vacations each year, many said they'd ideally take one more. This suggests that families aren't lacking the desire to spend time together — they're often struggling to find the time to make it happen."

More Memories, More Moments

For many families, hindsight has become a powerful reminder to make the most of the time they have today.

Nearly 89% of parents say they didn't realize how quickly their children would grow up until it was already happening. Likewise, 86% wish they had taken more trips with their own parents or older family members while they were still able to travel together.

Even when families do get away, staying present isn't always easy. 83% of parents admit they're distracted by work or emails for much of their vacation.

Despite those challenges, today's parents are making together time a priority. 81% say spending as much quality time as possible with their children becomes even more important as they grow older. Because while childhood may feel fleeting, the memories made together can last a lifetime.

Research Methodology

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 parents of school-aged children who celebrate occasions and have gone on vacation within the past year who have access to the internet; the survey was commissioned by Club Wyndham and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between June 3 and June 12, 2026. A link to the questionnaire can be found here.

To view the complete methodology as part of AAPOR’s Transparency Initiative, please visit the Talker Research Process and Methodology page.