What do you think when you think “boy?” How ’bout when you think “girl?”
Koshii Eslinger of Moms at Work was absolutely, positively wanted a boy child. Why?
“I grew up in a household full of girls (5 kids, 4 of us girls) and I know all too well all the attitude, emotions and drama that girls bring. I have a ton of male cousins and it just seemed like they never went through all the drama that we all went through. Their household always seemed calm and peaceful. They weren’t constantly bickering, holding grudges and yelling at the top of their lungs.”
Clearly, this woman has never visited my house. 🙂
Now she has a girl, age two, and is very happy. I wonder, though — if she’d have a boy, would her notions of “boy” and “girl” change? Have your ideas of “boy” and “girl” changed since having children?
7 Responses
Being the father of twin boys as the eldest, I can say the bickering, holding grudges and yelling at the top of lungs is a regular occurance. If they are not focusing malice on each other, they are directing it toward “the girl”.
At least the three older ones adore their little brother…so far.
To answer your question, or not, I’m holding out for the teen years. I have a running disagreement with my wife that once Natalie hits her teens, the whole personality shift will take us by storm.
There’s a new book out about media impact on boys, Packaging Boyhood, that I think you’d find interesting. See article at http://tinyurl.com/yhdxgh8
Being the oldest of 3 girls and a single mom, I really had no idea what boys/men were about at all! Mostly I find it all very interesting and funny; how did I end up being the only girl in a house full of boys? I love my boys, but toy with the idea of having a girl – you know, someone to keep me whisker free in my old age!
I’m an only child, as is my son, so I have no personal experience with the sibling squabling and such. I *can* say that when I was my son’s age (14) I was much more moody, hormonal, and snarky.
I think I’m going to have to wait and see on this one. I’ve heard some people say that boys are more challenging when they’re young, while girls are more challenging in the teen years. Who knows? My house may become a place of peace and solitude — and wrestling matches — yet!
I grew up with all girls – a sister and all girl cousins (except for my poor cousin Richard who everyone thought was “hyper” next to all those girls), so when my first son was born, I had no idea what I’d do with him!
Now, with two boys ages 11 and 15, I can’t imagine life any other way. In hindsight, maybe it was better I didn’t have any girls. I’m not really a girly-girl type myself, and I’m sure my family would have bought all sorts of pink, frilly things for a baby girl.
A friend with one of each (boy 15 and girl 13) says it’s definitely more difficult with the girl, especially the social stuff.
Sue
Sue,
I hear you. I’m kind of glad to have missed out on the girly-girly stuff too!