Last weekend, we went to Seneca Park, which only has the baby bucket swings.

Riyu is VERY obsessed with the FING and it’s the first thing he wants to do when we get into the park.

Ishu, also, loves the swing, but they didn’t have any for the big kiddos. He still wanted to join in on the fun so I scooped up those long legs and put him inside (okay, sorry to my lower back).

After a few seconds, they were both having the best time together.

Ishu’s screaming, “HIGHER! HIGHER, PUSH ME HIGHER MAMA!”

Riyu thinks his brother is saying hi to him when he says “high,” so he keeps turning to Ishu and saying, “HI DADA!”

And then.

A few minutes later, a kiddo from Ishu’s class showed up and stood right in front of him with a car in his hand as if to ask, “Do you want to play with me?”

And when Ishu noticed him, he turned to me and said, “MAMA! STOP PUSHING ME! WHY ARE YOU PUSHING ME?!”

Because.

I guess this is a thing that happens now.

Social pressure. Embarrassment?

WHAT?

I was not prepared for this. I mean, I knew he had gotten a little shy about things with age. Like, he used to dance FREELY and now not so much.

But this broke me a little too.

I mean, it’s bound to happen. And following SOME social norms is not all bad, right? This is how we learn to live in the world. AND STILL. It hurts.

I was sharing this story to Ankur and he laughed and said, “You know, there’s going to be some day in the future when he’s embarrassed of US.”

My brain exploded at that thought.

PARENTING.

Okay, bye.

I also want you to know that as I’m typing this, Ishu’s poking me with a fake sword. Riyu’s walking (attempting to walk) in everybody’s shoes. And the Star Wars soundtrack is playing in the background.

Okay, bye for real.