Growing Apart And Growing Pains

I love my sons. Their uniqueness fascinates me every single day. Little things have not gone unnoticed. I try not to, at the very least. One is gregarious at home but makes a 180 degrees turnaround in school. He has a tendency to be shy and sometimes, he needs a little more pushing before he volunteers on doing anything in school e.g. leading a group activity, joining a club. My other son is an independent, smart-alecky, the Mr. Congeniality-type of young man in the making. I can see it in him. They’re a year apart, often mistaken for twins when they were little. Of late, I can’t help but feel the growing chasm in their personalities.

In the past, they’re happy with each other’s company, whether it’s playtime or just chilling out, horsing around the house. The younger one looks up to his older brother. He mimics his every move, style and even befriends his brother’s friends. Their world revolves with each other’s circle of buddies.

"My friends are your friends and so are mine."

It was comforting for any parent to see how close they are but growing up seems to create an unavoidable rift between them. The older one wants to spread his wings, go out on his own, create his own individuality. The sad part is that he has to leave the little one behind.

I have mixed feeling about this. I’m delighted to see that my son is growing up to be one independent young man but I’m also saddened by the fact that the phase he is going through would somehow alienate his younger brother.

Perhaps, it’s part of the pains of growing up and raising kids. Yes. I think it is.