Three Kids, Zero Minors: Welcoming 2026 With Almost-Adults

Friends, is that really it for this year? Are we actually celebrating New Year's Eve 2025/2026 already?! Wait, what!? Didn't we just ring in the last one? And now 2026 is at the door. I love even-numbered years, by the way. I was born in an even year and so were all of our kids. Which brings me to...

A Few Big Milestones Are Coming Up Next Year

...OH MY GOD: I had my first baby in 2006, and tomorrow we start 2026! My oldest turns 20. And that's not all. Her "little" twin brothers, who came barreling into our lives just two years after her, were born in 2008. That means they both turn 18 and become ADULTS!

Do you know what that means for me? Soon, legally speaking, I won't have a single child anymore! Only adults! Wild, right?! I won't be able to call their health insurance for them, I won't be able to (can't/may not/have to, pick one) manage a bank account, and they can drive without me, get married, buy houses, mwahahahaha.

Long Teen Years, Short Youth...

When I texted Katharina about it a few days ago, she could hardly believe it either. We started StadtLandMama when my oldest was 6 and the boys were 4, and you've been along for our everyday lives ever since. Katharina pointed out that the twins were 12 to 14 for what felt like forever, and then BAM: 18. And somehow that's exactly how it feels.

First internships, first friend groups, first loves, first parties. Growing up is exciting, and it's packed with so much change that it ends up flying by anyway.

Two More Years of School, Thank Goodness

My oldest was only 17 when she finished high school (she took the Abitur, Germany's university-entrance exam), because of G8, the shortened eight-year track at the college-prep high school. The boys, thanks to a voluntary repeat of fifth grade and the switch back to G9, nine years, still get two more years of school. (And they get to keep living with Mom and Dad. Heeelp, what will we do when the last kid moves out too?!)

The kids surprised us a few times this year. Two of them passed their driving tests for accompanied driving (in Germany, 17-year-olds can drive as long as a registered adult rides along). Hello, bank account! Everyone has been sweetly looking after our host sister from the other side of the world. Two moved up to a higher division in soccer. One spontaneously moved out and is super happy in a shared student apartment. Honestly, we parents need a minute to process all of it.

How Much Everyone Has Grown This Year!

One kid went to Asia with the university. Another skipped our Easter break trip and vacationed with a different family instead. And if you ask me, as far as the kids go, next year can absolutely keep going just like this.

So much independence, so much growing up, so much self-reflection ("Okay, when it comes to helping unload the dishwasher, maybe we're not exactly the best role models for our host sister..." Hahaha, I am here for this self-awareness).

Happy New Year's Eve 2025/2026

The twins threw a big party for their 17th birthday in October, and they want to throw an even bigger one for their 18th this fall. Now, right before New Year's Eve, they came knocking to ask how we'd feel about a "Hausi" (a house party) in our garden house to kick off the new year... so, how many people did they have in mind? Well, quite a few... The compromise: a few fewer, and for safety reasons, Dad lights the fireworks. Will everyone stick to that? Questionable.

But hey, you're only young once, right?! Have a great start to the new year, and let's make 2026 a year where each of us, in our own small way, makes a difference for the people around us. Take care, and sending you a big hug!