Is 17 years enough to build family memories?

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

A survey of 2,000 parents of children ages 5-17 found that the majority of parents (66%) say a single year with their child passes like at least two, a sign of just how quickly childhood slips by.

That rate only seems to accelerate with each passing day: Nearly all parents agree that time seems to move faster as their kids get older (91%).

Before their children leave the nest, parents get 17 years to make memories that shape them and last a lifetime.

The survey, conducted by Talker Research and commissioned by Club Wyndham, a vacation club that encourages connection and together time, found that many parents (79%) feel they have limited time left to travel with their kids before they age out.

"Parents often think about childhood in terms of years, but it unfolds in fleeting seasons," 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 average parent believes the window in which kids are both willing and old enough to truly enjoy a family trip spans just seven years between the ages of 7 and 14.

On average, parents estimate that kids' interest in vacationing together begins to wane at around age 12, and by 13, their enthusiasm is completely in the wind.

This puts 44% of parents surveyed in danger of missing out, as their kids are already past that "golden age."

However, 94% of parents think their kid is still at an age where they're interested in vacationing with the family.

(Talker Research)

"One of the most interesting findings was the gap between what families are doing today and what they wish they were doing," said Roberts. "While parents told 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."

When put into perspective how many summers respondents have left with their little ones, 45% feel hopeful for the future, but a similar percentage feel the motivation to be more present (44%).

Parents are thankful for the time they have (41%), but also bittersweet (31%) and nostalgic (28%) at the time passing.

Nearly a quarter of those surveyed admit they're not satisfied with the number of vacations they've taken with their family (24%), and eight in 10 wish they'd taken more vacation with their kids when they were younger.

Summers slip by when life gets in the way, with some of the most common barriers to skipped vacations including cost (44%), not having enough PTO (30%) and social calendars (23%).

The average parent has postponed vacation four times because of work, uncertainty about destinations, feeling overwhelmed by planning and other time-threatening factors.

One in six have put off family vacations, thinking they'll have more time later (18%).

But 89% didn't realize how quickly their children would grow up until it was already happening, and a similar percentage wished they had taken more trips with their parents or older family members while they were still able to travel (86%).

Even when they have found the time to get away together, 83% of parents are distracted by work or emails for most of their vacation.

These days, parents are determined to do it right, with 81% making it a high priority to spend as much time with their kids as possible as they get older.

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.

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This story was originally published June 29, 2026 at 7:58 AM.