Had someone told me when I was a little girl that I would have two boys when I was all grown up and a mommy, I probably would have cried. Everyone knows baby dolls are girls (except for the crazy looking cabbage patch boy dolls that no one ever wanted to play with) and therefore baby girls were all I knew! I knew how to match their dress with their shoes and their shirts with their bows. Every play house accessory we owned was either purple with some sort of floral design or pink with hearts. It was evident to my little 4 year old self that mommies had girls and that was that.
I love looking back at such innocent and naive days and can't help but chuckle a little. Now with two little blue eyed boys of my own I have learned just how much satisfaction and enjoyment can come from having them in my life.
Things I have learned about little boys:
:: they LOVE to be active. it starts out with a love of the park when they are younger and grows into bike riding, karate chopping and super hero fighting.
:: they are prone to be super addicted to technology. this is probably true with all kids, but we have had a constant battle with iPad use, video games and just plain ol' tv watching!
:: they are your little buddies. they love their mommies and have a tendency to be mamma's boys. they have such a capacity to love and show that love.
:: cars, trucks, trains, helicopters, dinosaurs, super heroes, Legos, robots, electronics, volcanoes, Star Wars, Batman, sports and bugs are all really cool.
:: they love to get dirty and find opportunities to do so every chance they get. they also like to "look sharp" (as my 5 year old says) every now and then.
:: wrestling matches with daddy make any bad day turn good.
:: wrestling matches with brothers will always end with someone in tears.
:: they are creative and imaginative and can turn any ordinary situation into an adventure in space or the jungle.
:: they love to be recognized for things they have done and gobble up any attention given to them.
:: they think potty words are hilarious.
:: they can be every bit as emotional as girls!
:: they don't have the same "friend drama" as girls. I've noticed this with some of Little Guys "girl" friends. they start young with the excluding folks. boys are more concerned about who gets to play with the light saber first.
:: they are observant (not to be confused with focused..) and mechanically minded. from a very young age they love to watch things and figure out how they work. i.e. tractors and garbage trucks
:: they are hilarious. there hasn't been a day that has gone by when my two boys haven't made me laugh.
Last of all I've learned that little boys are ready and eager to learn. I'm planning on being that main source for learning (along with the hubs of course) in hopes that these boys of mine learn to be good, hard-working, virtuous and respectful boys. It will be a difficult feat in this world today that teaches immorality as the norm, laziness and entitlement as a way of life and disrespect at every corner. Difficult? Yes. Impossible? No!
Boys are the best and if I were to say anything to that 4 year old "mommy" I would tell her "Mommies do have girls but they also have boys and they are every bit as wonderful (if not even more so ;) )."
Awww, that was sweet. I always wanted a family with just boys because of the drama. Jokes on us i guess. 4 girls later and i wouldn't have it any other way.
ReplyDeleteAMEN, hilary. thank you for writing this all down! i love how you've captured so many of the wonderful things of raising boys. they are so sweet and simple; like puppy dogs. they want love and praise, rough housing and cuddles. i am going to be coming back to this one. xo.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful post Hil.With two girls myself, I have to say we are in full drama at home. I do enjoy her cute little outfits and all those little things I can do for them that I never had from my mother when I was growing up. Being a mom is the hardest job, and in today's world, even harder.Like you, I do want to teach them to become good girls inside and out, it is not an Impossible task.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it funny how Heavenly Father gives us exactly what we need, but not necessarily what we expected?? Love your boys!
ReplyDeleteI love boys!
ReplyDeleteOh my...I LOVE this post...just maybe because i have THREE boys of my own ;) Every single line was EVERY bit my life.
ReplyDeleteI find this funny. I was the opposite. I had that weird boy doll-- actually the "My Buddy" doll. I thought I would have all boys- I wanted all boys. I was rough and tough and ready to take it on. Four girls and one boy later- I gasp anytime I see a boy do something daring, adventurous or anything non girly like my girls. Granted I do have the one boy but with three older sisters he is very mild but we are reaching a more boyish age. Love the post! :)
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