Until recently, most of the kids in our neighborhood were a few years older than my oldest son.
Much of the time, they are really patient kids and include him in their games. On occasion, they don’t want to play with the “little kids.” My husband and I try to explain to our wounded 6-year-old that this is pretty typical behavior. We remind him that he too, sometimes excludes the troop of 3-year-olds that now live in our neighborhood.
As parents, we know these things run their course and that the next day will be a whole new deal. But sometimes, I think we take it harder than our son.
My husband and I often joke that someday those kids are going to wish they’d been more inclusive because he’s going to be the reason all the girls will be hangin’ around.
Before you go thinking that I am way too proud, let me tell you that this 6-year-old has the most active “puppy love life” I’ve ever seen.
It all started in his first year of preschool.
He was 2, almost 3, when he met Leah. She was this adorable little blonde with cute curls, who wore summer clothes year-round. He talked about Leah. He sang about Leah. He wrote Leah’s name with a backward ‘L’ over and over.
He was heartbroken when Leah, an older woman, went off to kindergarten while he, a young 5-year-old, went on to get his PhD in preschool.
But then he started a new preschool, where he met Avery. He talked about Avery. He sang about Avery. He fought with his best friend over Avery. He referred to the love triangle as “the Avery problem.”
And again, he was heartbroken when school ended for the summer, and Avery moved away to Pennsylvania.
Fast-forward to the second month of kindergarten in a new school.
For weeks, he’s been bringing home drawings of rainbows and people – one of which looks like it could be him. (The stick legs are thinner so it’s hard to tell.) The other individual was an unknown classmate.
Little by little, “Kaya” became the topic of conversation every day after school. He told me one day that Kaya loved him, but didn’t want him to know. I asked him why he thought that and he said it’s because of his hair. Mmmmm, OK?
He writes in his “Dude Diary” about Kaya. He asks when he can have play dates with Kaya. He wants to know if she’ll be attending parties for friends that don’t even attend school with them.
These days he brings home Kaya’s entire daily art portfolio. (I’m not entirely sure when Kaya actually gets any kindergarten’ing done.) But now, I recognize the two of them under the rainbow.
As usual, things seem to be getting pretty serious.
I’m just thankful that there’s a good possibility that Kaya will be attending school with him for at least a few years. I don’t think his heart could take another break up.
Let’s just hope for the string of cute boys in our neighborhood that his luck with the ladies keeps up.
Amy Grace is married with two children. You can read her every Friday on momaha.
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