When Childhood Met Adulting : A Tale of Growing Up with Cousins

 There was a time when happiness meant summer vacations at our grandparents’ house, Aunt pouring water from the pipe on all of us and we dancing happily pretending as if we are enjoying rain showers, and playing endless games with our cousins. Life revolved around silly fights, shared secrets, and sneaking out together for one last game before bedtime. The biggest worry was whether we would get the biggest share of the chocolates. But then, somewhere along the way, childhood slipped through our fingers, and we entered the world of adulting—a world of responsibilities, deadlines, and stress.

The Magical Days of Childhood with Cousins

Childhood wasn’t just about toys and games; it was about the bonds we built with our cousins. They were our first best friends, our crime partners, and our biggest cheerleaders. Every visit to their house felt like a festival, filled with laughter, mischief, and endless storytelling.

We made forts out of blankets, played antakshari till our voices went hoarse, and fought over who would get the last piece of cake—only to share it in the end. Summer vacations meant carefree days of running around barefoot, whispering secrets at night, and making promises to never grow apart.

Everything felt magical. The terrace was our kingdom, the backyard was our playground, and our grandparents’ home was our paradise. There were no worries about the future, no pressure to prove anything—just the pure joy of being together.

The Reality of Adulting

And then, life changed.

One day, vacations stopped being about family and became about pending work. The same cousins who were once just a call away now became names we saw only in WhatsApp groups. Meetings replaced playtime, and responsibilities took over carefree laughter.

Now, we meet at weddings or family functions, exchanging formal smiles and quick updates about life. The fights over chocolates turned into discussions about job stress, career moves, and investments. Somewhere in this journey of growing up, we lost the innocence of those childhood bonds.

We often find ourselves reminiscing about those days—the long summer afternoons spent playing in the sun, the late-night ghost stories, and the endless teasing. But nostalgia is a bittersweet feeling because it reminds us of what we once had but can never truly relive.

Bringing Back the Magic of Childhood

But what if we don’t have to lose it completely? What if, amidst all the adulting, we could steal moments to relive those golden days?

Reconnect with your cousins. A simple call, a video chat, or even a small reunion can bring back the warmth of childhood.

Plan a cousins’ trip. Remember how we once dreamed of growing up and traveling together? Maybe it’s time to finally make it happen.

Relive old traditions. Play that childhood game again, sing antakshari, or cook those favorite snacks you once fought over.

Laugh like you used to. Not over adult worries, but over silly memories that once made you cry with laughter.

Conclusion: A Balance Between Childhood and Adulthood

Growing up doesn’t mean we have to let go of the child within us. Life is a mix of responsibilities and joy, of struggles and small victories. Maybe adulthood is not about choosing between childhood and reality, but about finding a balance—where we work hard but also take time to relive the memories that shaped us.

So, the next time life feels overwhelming, pause. Close your eyes and remember those summer afternoons, those silly fights, those whispered secrets in the dark. Because deep down, that child still lives within you, waiting for you to bring them back to life.