Sometimes you just have one of those moments where the progress we've made as a culture get thrown into stark relief. You look at something and go "Holy shit, that would never have happened when I was a kid."
Today, I had one of those moments when I realized that the teenage boys I'm working with are just. genuinely, openly enthusiastic about going to Build-a-Bear for their outing.
These are sixteen and seventeen year old boys! They just had a whole conversation about what to name their "cute", mostly new squishmallows! They're genuinely excited that they're going to Build-a-Bear this weekend and asking other kids to pick up specific accessories for them!!
Holy shit, that never would've happened when I was 16. None of the boys would have dared to be visibly interested - and neither would most of the girls! There would have been a million gay jokes and "Haha, you're a girl" jokes and "What are you, a baby?" jokes. Teenagers weren't even supposed to care about anything back then!
Less than 15 years later, and I'm watching three 17 year old boys treat all that as not even worthy of comment.
So let's call that a reason for hope. Even when the kids aren't alright, in some ways apparently they are alright. Go Gen Z, honestly. It's so lovely to watch you guys just openly doing and saying stuff that, when I was a teen, would've been a social death sentence.
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None of the Parenting 101 books that your husband, Toji, read during your pregnancy could've prepared him for the unmatched curiosity of your now four year old son, Megumi.
"Daddy," said Megumi, while sitting on Toji's lap, "what do you do for work?"
"Sticking your nose into other people's business, now, are you?" he joked. "Why do you want to know, kid?"
"'Cause I wan' know." Yup, preschoolers could be as sassy as ever.
"Cheeky little thing," Toji said, giving his son's chubby cheek a playful little pinch.
"Daaaaad, just tell me already."
Toji hesitated for a bit, before complying. "I get rid . . . of people—"
"That are bad!?" an overly eager Megumi asked, his eyes shining. Honestly, for someone his age, he should not be excited by the idea of his dad killing people, but he had some ideals different from others. Courtesy of his innocence.
"Sure."
You giggled quietly to yourself from your seat on the living room couch as you watched the whole situation unfold; your son, jumping up and down, and your husband, looking as bored as he always did.
"So you're like a superhero!"
Toji grinned at his son, ruffling his sea urchin-like hair. "Nah, not quite."
Confused, Megumi asked, "But you're strong. . ? So that means you're Superman!"
"Nope."
"Batman! Because he always wears black and is super duper scary."
"Not even close, buddy."
Laughing, you couldn't help the comment that escaped your lips, "Wish you were as rich as him, though."
Toji deadpanned, "You married me."
"I'm not complaining, am I?" you teased, pressing a chaste kiss to Toji's temple. Just as you were about to back away, you let out a high pitched squeal as he pulled you back for a real kiss.
Unlike most kids, who would say "Yuck", Megumi, beaming at the both of his parents, giggled innocently. "Mommy should marry Batman! Because he is rich, and makes the bad people go bye-bye!"
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PALESTINIAN ESCAPE FUNDS (TRY TO DONATE AT LEAST $5 TO EACH)
1. Help Renad & Her Family Evacuate Gaza - £4,090 / 25,000
2. Help little children of Gaza stay safe and alive! - $1,278 / 35,000
3. Help Evacuate My Family from Gaza to Safety - €6,235 / 70,000
4. Urgent Appeal: Save Little Yusuf and His Family Amidst Gaza - €€30,901 / 85,000
5. Help Marah reunite with her family and save them - €7,994 / 55,000
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