One of the units of in a standard differential equations course is a discussion of the oscillatory motion of a spring and the associated material on forcing functions and resonance. During the presentation on practical resonance, the instructor may tell students that it is similar to when they take their siblings to the playground and help them on the swing. The author's students respond by asking why they do not just discuss this example instead. Is it the same? If not, what are the differences? This article presents the result of this give and take. In this article, the author discusses how he obtained the differential equation for the swing and applies the equation with an example. (Contains 5 figures.)