When my second son was born ten years after my first, I didn’t imagine they’d hang out together until they were both grown. But they do. They geek out at home over their Yu-Gi-Oh! card collections or shared Star Wars enthusiasms or Harry Potter trivia. Sometimes Alex takes Max on outings to the shops or to play video games in the city. They call it ‘bro time’, which I think is pretty cute.

I think Al would be the first to say that I can be a bit of a worrier when it comes to him taking Max on outings. I guess I don’t always feel confident that what he might think is age-appropriate is the same as what I might think, only because I’m the mum and he’s the brother. But after I’ve asked a million questions,  I let them go. Because how great is it to have this time with your bro?

I know what it means to be a kid and look up to someone literally and metaphorically; to feel that they have your back, that your older, cooler sibling wants to hang out with you, that they love you.

As they grow, their ten year-gap will feel smaller. I won’t ask so many questions. They’ll organise their time without having to get my okay. But until then, they’ve got these days.

bro time

1 :an appointed, fixed or customary moment, hour or day reserved for hanging out with your brother

Bron x

CREDITS

Max: Northern Lights Organic Cotton Raglan long-sleeve tee, Northern Lights Puffer Jacket from Paperwings.  Jeans and Sneakers from Free By Cotton On

Shop Paper Wings Winter 2018 at these Australian online stores: Birdie and Co, Buckets and Spades, Cherrie Baby, Infancy, Kids Threads and Trends, Lush Arena, Ned and Pippas, and Zacalu Zoo.

Photos + styling: Bron Bates