Thoughts on Having a Boy February 15, 2013
I’m about to get very real with you, so I ask in advance that you don’t pass judgement….;)
I was 7 years old when my brother was born. Meaning, I have a very vivid memory of his childhood. Which basically consisted of more bumps, bruises, sets of stitches, and fractured bones than I care to think about. He was the most precious little boy EVER, but so. freakin’. wild.
I remember shopping in Macy’s one time with my mother and brother (I think he was around 3 or 4), and I was watching him while my mom was browsing the latest clothing selections. This was when they had those large circular clothing racks throughout the store, remember those? Anyways, we were playing a “game” where he hid inside the clothing rack and jumped out to “scare” me (probably not the best game now that I think about it). Well, at one point, he jumped out screaming….but not in front of me. In front of an 80+ year old woman who then nearly had a heart attack in the store.
This is what I think of when I think of raising a boy.
I am the opitome of a girly girl. You know this. This isn’t news. I don’t like camping, I freak out touching worms and the fish while fishing. I don’t like being dirty. I hate spiders. I like manis/pedis, shopping, playing with my hair, makeup, having girl time, bonding over girly things. Little girls? No problem. PIECE OF CAKE. I am Auntie Lo Lo to one of my dearest friend’s little girls, and I’m pretty sure she knows me at the auntie who will always have on fun jewelry and pretty things because it becomes the topic of our conversations whenever I see her. “Auntie Lo Lo, I like your sparkly earrings.” or “Auntie Lo Lo, I like your pretty hair.” And for Christmas I bought her the sparkliest tulle dress that she freaked out about and immediately begged her mom to “try on” and then continued to spin around the house like a princess. See? I can do girls. I’m good with girls.
But boys? Can this full out girly-girl handle a rough and rowdy boy? Luckily I have a man’s man for a husband, so I know I will be fine with his help 😉 But I can’t help but be a little nervous. Pat and I had an agreement prior to me getting pregnant when we were discussing raising our children. We decided that even if our first was a girl, we wanted her to enjoy camping, fishing, sports, not be terrified of spiders like her mom, etc. etc. because I didn’t as a child. Now, there’s nothing wrong with the fact that I didn’t do those things. But I want my children to be able to form their own opinions and not be affected by my likes and dislikes. And not freak out at the thought of putting a worm on a hook (EWWW).
So now that our BOY is almost here, I feel like I need to gear myself up with some boyish things. You know, prepare myself a little. Like learn to not be so afraid of dirt and mud. Or maybe kill a spider on my own. Because I know, without a doubt, my boy will be a rowdy little man. I mean, if he’s anything like his father….oh boy! (no pun intended)
So I ask you, my readers who are moms of boys….what’s your best advice for raising one? Give me your tips in a comment!
One thing I know is….I CANNOT WAIT TO MEET HIM! 🙂
I have a 3 boys, 12, 6, and 15 months. Just remember that they are different, I rely on my husband because I have no frame of reference, I really can’t fathom why they do some of the things they do. I will say this my boys treat me so well, I am the only girl in the house and they treat me as such. The most important tip I have is remember you are raising a boy who will become a man and marry someday, so be the example, have the marriage you want him to have. And hey boys are cheaper, they each only have two pairs of shoes! Good luck and invest in Mr Clean Magic Erasers, they can get “boy” off of anything!
Oh Ali, your comment brought tears to my eyes 🙂 I never thought of it that way! You are totally right….I do want to set a great example for him, so he can see what a great marriage and love is and that way he can pass that on someday! Aaaaaand, I’ll be sure to stock up on the magic erasers, haha, thanks for the tip!!! 🙂
I have TWO little boys..ages 3.5 & 5 years. Now, my oldest son is the sweetest little thing & knows right from wrong, isn’t hyper or wild..is actually a little gentleman. My little one, however, is WILD. He loves to knock things down, build things, run around like crazy, etc. BUT, he’s also incredibly sweet. There’s nothing like when he tells me “mommy, you look like a princess.” Just know if he’s being too quiet (and you know he isn’t sleeping) then he is definitely getting into something. But boys love their moms in an amazing way. No other girl will ever compare to mom. It’s adorable. I’m on the opposite spectrum where I’m terrified of having a girl! I have all sisters…a teenage girl scares me..a lot more than a toddler boy! No matter what your fears in life (spiders, dirt, etc), you’ll be able to handle it because when you’re a mother..you just handle it without thinking. I have complete faith you will raise an amazing, sweet, smart, kind hearted, strong boy with a huge respect for women. If you ever have a “weird” question you can always message me on fb or even call. Congrats again!!!
Thanks so much girl! That means so much to me 🙂 I’m sure I’ll be messaging you with boy questions in the future!
Sooo…here is some good news, there is something so very special about the relationship between a mom and her baby boy. Lyric as an infant up until 2, was the sweetest little thing, and it was just this special bond with him. There is obviously a very special bond with my girls too, I guess with each one its a different experience. He will be mommy’s little boy though, just wait, you’ll see & love every bit. Every kid isdifferent & even though you’ll see qualities or characteristics that remind you of you and Pat, you’ll see what makes them special and unique in their own way. You’ll learn and grow as a person and a parent. With Lyric he is very curious & likes to stay busy & “work” – like his dad much? Um yea lol…so I make sure he is occupied with his fave toys or have him help me cook or clean…he gets in trouble most when left to his own defenses and getting into things he shouldn’t have . It takes a lot of repeating ourselves and explaining things to him but he’s starting to get things more…like It’s not a good idea to squirt the whole bottle of lotion on my legs, no matter how cool it feels. 😉
Hahahahahahha, I’m cracking up at the lotion part 😉
Especially being your first, it’s going to be a very special bond, I’m.so happy for you & Pat to experience. Oh & I am thinking having Ammo may have been excellent preparation for the sometimes crazy, unexpected, inexplicable, make you want to pull your hair out things that a boy might do. Hahaha See sometimes he is the biggest sweetheart cuddly buddy, sometimes he is doing something crazy. Perfect description of a toddler boy. 😉
That’s true! God definitely had his hands on that when he brought Ammo into our lives FOR SURE! Lol…but now that I think about it, having a little boy for Ammo is probably better than a girl! Haha
While I’m not a mom to a little boy (have two girls), I wanted to share that I had similar thoughts when my baby girl was pregnant with her first, and found out it was a boy. I just didn’t raise boys, and she felt “how will I know what to do with a boy??”….. But I promise you this, that little boy (my now almost five year old grandson) has captured my heart in a way that I never even dreamed. I’m actually confessing since I’m pretty sure no one knows me here, but I even have moments of worry that I am not AS bonded with his two and a half year old baby sister!!! Boys are snugglers, kiss givers, secret sharers…. My daughters were that way, but they also had that edge of attitude where personalities collided…. I’m sorry if it wasn’t helpful, but I do know you have a lot of falling in love to look forward to!!! He will steal your heart more than you can ever predict!!! 🙂 Best wishes!!!
Christy, that is very helpful! So funny because I’ve had some people say the same…they were moms of girls and when their girls had boys, it was just amazing! My mom’s first comment when we told her it was a boy was “OH THANK GOD, you had such an attitude growing up, I was praying you would have a boy instead of a girl!” hahaha. I guess that’s just the sassy side of little girls 😉 Thanks so much! I can’t wait to meet my little man 🙂
Hey there! Congrats! Having a baby in general is the best and most life changing thing you will ever do! Praying that all goes well. With that being said, I am the mother of 1 girl and 3 little boys. Just had my last one a month ago. My daughter is 8 and my boys are 6, 4 and a month. You would think I was the expert on little boys having 3 of them, but alas, I am not! I do love all the wonderful things about being a girl, but I am not afraid of bugs or dirt either. I like to camp and play sports and all that good boy stuff. What I can tell you is that having boys is the most amazing experience in the world. Boys have a relationship with their mom much like girls have with their Daddies. I have one of those relationships and I have a girl who has that with her Daddy! I have a much more emotional one with my daughter. She is 8 going on 30 and frustrates me to no end! She is very opinionated and smart and creative. She is very independent and doesn’t really care for my help much. But my boys…They love to come up and just kiss me for no reason and tell me they love me. They want to snuggle with me all the time (even when they are dirty…and I let them!) They always want my help, not Daddy’s! And they care what I think!!! I try to encourage them to be sensitive and strong, gentle and bold. I want them to love and treat girls with the respect they deserve and build great relationships with others. Having boys is amazing, and you will have the best time with your little man! They grow up way too fast…but the best part is that they will always love, respect and need their Mom. He will always want you and compare all women to you. My prayer for myself is that I raise them up to be great men, fathers, husbands, workers. That they love God first and treat others the way they want to be treated. If I have done any of that, then I was a successful mom! Praying for you and your little man! You will be a great mom and he is going to love you so much!
Thanks Lisa!!! Oh, your comment brought tears to my eyes just picturing your little boys kissing you for no reason 🙂 My prayers have been the same as yours! I pray I raise a good man of God, one who will be an incredbile friend, worker, husband, father. Then I will feel I did something right 🙂 I’m sure your children are simply wonderful! Thanks again!
#1. I must start out by saying you look super, super cute pregnant! (I stumbled across your blog one day on a link from another blog & loved your design ideas)
#2. Boys are so mushy & always love their Mom!! I have 2 boys (8 & 13) (and a girl, 10)and my boys still love to cuddle, spend time with me, and all of that good stuff! And they love sports, video games, getting dirty & all of the other typical boy things.. They tell me all about their crushes (yes, even my 8 year old has a crush!) and confide in me about eveything.
#3. I completely understand your worries and you shouldn’t feel bad for questioning your feelings – for now you have a soon to be son that will adore you and a bunch of friends with daughters to spoil 🙂
You will be an awesome mom, one day your son will read your blog & know how much time you spent preparing for him & how much love went into it!
Hi Carole! Thanks so much 🙂 I can’t wait for my cuddly little boy to be here! And you’re right…hopefully one day he will look back on this blog and see how much we love him! Never thought of it like that! Thank you!! 🙂
I am a girlie girl too, and when I was pregnant with my first, I had to find out the sex so I wouldn’t be disappointed if they yelled out “it’s a boy”… It was a boy and I’m so glad. He’s 18 now. They don’t come out running around, or deciding they want to fish… they come as a sweet baby… by the time they are running around with top light sabers and swords, they are your heart and soul. You will see… oh and how they love their mom! Nothing like it.
Ah, i can’t wait 🙂 Thanks for that!!! Maybe by that time I’ll learn to hook a worm, or have him teach me 😉 Haha
Girl, I loved reading all these people’s advice to you! You are going to be the best momma EVER! And that little man of yours will have you wrapped around his little finger and if that means hooking a worm, you will probably do it. 😉 LOL xoxo
I know, people gave great advice!!! And you’re right, I’m sure he will get me to hook a worm, amongst other things! lol
I have had very similar feelings since we found out we were having a boy! The advice you are receiving is very helpful and super cute! I have definitely been getting super excited since I have gotten more used to the idea.
Me too! There’s some REALLY great advice in these comments!
You know what? I meant to thank you for posing such a good question…. My babies are long grown and I”m a grandmother of three, yet reading through the comments has still given me a lot of smiles. Amazing how you can share so much joy with someone you don’t even know, but the miracle of birth, the anticipation of a growing family…. it is always just pure joy!!! Best, best wishes to each of you!!! 😉
Thanks Christine!! The comments have made me smile as well, some have even brought tears to my eyes! It’s amazing to hear advice from other moms! I can’t wait to meet my boy! 🙂