If only swings were immortal. Maybe yours is on its last leg. Sooner or later it’ll start falling apart. They always do. Chances are that a houseful of kids and their friends put it to the test. That’s the way life works. Nothing, not even the good things man makes, lasts forever. That means we’ll have to wait a while to see what kind of swings God created for His heavenly mansions.

A worn-out swing set, however, usually means that the young users have started to grow up. Your children are no longer little kids but are closing in on the tween, teen, or even college years. They could be heading out the door soon.

Doesn’t matter—they still like to rock. Maybe it’s a long-forgotten memory of the cradle, but kids of every age love the feeling. That’s why rocking chairs and porch swings never go out of style. And that’s why you should be sure that you maintain a sturdy swing for your older children to enjoy. Doubtless the younger set will spend many happy hours there as well, listening to stories or merely enjoying the day.

Children, even the most mature, like a place to get lost in their thoughts. They long for time and space to dream. That’s what you provide when you build a big, strong swing and tell them it’s earmarked just for the older kids. They may look at you funny at first, but don’t be surprised when it becomes their favorite piece of furniture.

A swing for big kids—it’s an idea whose time has come. And maybe, if you ask nicely, they’ll let you use it too.