Rebuilding Rob

My current favorite people are also my all-time favorite people, my sons; known to my readers as Kid 1 and Kid 2. I spoke at length on Kid 1 in this post, so I’ll take this post as an opportunity to give Kid 2 his flowers.

There’s 8 years separating Kid 1 and Kid 2, but whenever they get together they go into full-on brother mode. I’m sure that will evolve a bit as Kid 1 enters adulthood; but for now, I get a kick out the day-to-day singling bickering I get to experience when they’re together.

Kid 1 and his mom, X1, stayed down South following our divorce. moving back up North while Kid 1 was staying is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. Today Kid 2 is at the age that Kid 1 was when I had just been back in town for a couple years. My point this that I’m getting more first-hand experience with Kid 2 at this age than I was able to with Kid 1. So a lot of the stuff Kid 2 is experiencing sort of like a first for me as a parent. Kid 2 definitely had his quirks. He has his struggles academically and socially, but he has come. LONG way in a very short amount of time.

“I like Star Wars. I just like Star Trek more.”

Kid 2

In fact, I was thinking about this just last week when we celebrated Thanksgiving with my brother and his kids. Kid 2 was psyched all week about seeing his cousins. He would not stop asking me about it. As soon as we got there, he dove right I with them; running around my brothers house playing hide and seek, going in their hot tub. The Next Generation really took ownership of the fact that “the kids table” was the cool table for thanksgiving dinner.

Remembering back to last Christmas, kid 2 was practically sewn to my hip. He was cranky the entire time we were there. his eating habits were considerably worse last year as well.

As a parent, it is a great feeling to be able to loosen up in the proverbial reins and let your kids be kids and have fun. Seeing him be social, interacting with other kids (his cousins in the case of Thanksgiving) is just a great feeling. When I see things like that, I know that he’s going to be okay. I’m just excited for the future with Kid 2.

Kid 2 is a trip. For a while he was obsessed with Super Mario. That has leveled off a little; but shows sign of making a comeback with Christmas just around the corner.

His latest obsession is logos – as in business and sports team logos. He watches videos in YouTube that talk about the history and evolution of famous logos. He’s even starting to play with some illustrating apps that allow him re-imagine some of his favorites. I think he’s got a future in graphic design or marketing. Either way, he’s going to be set.

There is one area in which Kid 2 may have already surpassed Kid 1: his taste in science fiction. There was a Star Wars movie marathon onTV this past week and I asked Kid 2 if he wanted to watch it. He said to me: “Dad, I like Star Wars. I just like Star Trek more”.

Mission accomplished. Now I can die in peace.

Who are your favorite people?

Thanks for stopping by Rebuilding Rob. All of your views, likes and follows are greatly appreciated! Be sure to follow me on social media as well!

• Of Training Wheels and Christmas Lights
• Charity Starts at Home (And I’m Back in My Childhood One)
• The Muscle of Empathy
• Where Do We Go From Here? Five Years Since January 6.
• Bugs, Boundaries, and the Art of Not Being Invisible

The article “On Kid 2” first appeared on Rebuilding Rob.