Fourth of July weekends at my aunt and uncle’s lake house near St. Louis are some of my fondest childhood memories. The modest brick home offered a glimpse of a shallow cove where we enjoyed countless carefree days.

My wife and I purchased a lake house in northwest Connecticut with hopes of giving our three kids the same experience. However, the dream has proven difficult to realize.

Hosting gatherings seemed much simpler when I was young. We love having guests but managing the chaos can be overwhelming. For instance, the Wi-Fi often struggles with multiple devices streaming and gaming simultaneously. Despite investing in the best service, the occasional Wi-Fi hiccup draws irritable looks from family members.

Adding to the challenge, laundry piles up, garbage ends up on the staircase, and dishwashing becomes a chaotic ordeal. Loading the dishwasher consistently seems elusive, drawing a familiar “Oh, Dad” look from the kids.