Father’s Day is Sunday and that has me thinking about all sorts of things. Things about fathers and sons and raising boys. When I was a little girl, I would imagine myself the mother of 3 boys and 1 girl. Or 2 boys and 2 girls, but I knew the chances of that happening were slim… Rarely does it equal out that way… But no matter the equations it always included always boys – plural. My 2 Cabbage Patch knock-off dolls were boys – Matthew and Timothy – named after my favorite cousin and uncle. I would tell people I wanted boys because you could “throw them outside in the dirt” and let them play. They were way less trouble than girls.
So far, 7 years in, I stand by this statement. But somewhere along the way, as an adult I started to assume that I would have girls, because I had 2 sisters and only one brother, ours was a feminine dominated world. I would have daughters to share all the girlie things I loved – Anne of Green Gables, Tea Parties, Audrey Hepburn… During both pregnancies I just knew I was having girls. During the second pregnancy everyone was rooting girl, and one of the hardest thing I have ever had to was not burst into tears in front of Wylie, in the ultra-sound room when they told him he was going to have a brother. It’s not that I didn’t want Miles, I did I was ecstatic that Wylie would have a brother, and that I would have another son. It’s just that I had wanted Clara (our girl name) too. It seemed too awful that getting one meant not getting the other.
So here I am the mother of 2 boys. 2 full tilt boys. And I love it. And surprisingly, at least to me, I am really good at it. I really love the world of boys and the contrast it brings to the world of girls. Or at least to my world. I love the dirt and the pirates and the sticky little boy kisses, and having them bring me rocks and sticks as gifts. It’s a world I have never had access too before and I love it. My boys are full throttle but they are also full of affection. Never has there ever been anything as sweet as their hugs. There is quite nothing like the way a little boy loves his Momma.
So here are the things I have learned and that seem work well up to age 7. I will not speak about any further than that as I have zero experience there. Also, of course these are just my opinions, take them with grain (or a gallon!) of salt.
1.) No battery operated toys as much as possible; Books, Blocks, Swords, Balls, Hats, Matchbox Cars, Army Men, Rocking Horses. These are the types of toys we have. My theory is if the toy does all the work then where does their imagination kick it? When are they challenged to think for themselves? Let them figure out how to turn a box into a boat and you’ve got something that will last a lifetime; Ingenuity.
3.) Risk is good; Boys need to risk. They need to fall. They need to scrape their knees, they need to get bruises, and scratches and bug bites. They need to wrestle; with dads, grandads, uncles, brothers, friends. They to do things they are scarred to do. They need a hug after they hurt something, a kiss to the booboo, and then they need a “go try that again!” They need to master things and explore things and not be afraid to “get back on that horse.” They are going to fail so many times in life, that they need that basic knowledge that if they keep at it, they will figure it out and that what does not kill them will make them stronger.
So there you have it, my top 3 self-imposed guidelines for raising my boys. Along the way I have found this book to be the most helpful by far, and I can not wait to get this one. I also like this one and found it to be really helpful for learning how each parent relates differently to each kid.
I love what you had to say about the boys. It all sounds like very good advice. You are a really smart lady.I had one girl, but my brother has 3 boys. They are all fun in their own ways. Have a great day with the boys!!Rosemary
Loved this post!I have three daughters. For 14 years, I had one granddaughter. Then I had another granddaughter. How wonderful and sweet they all are! Fifteen months later, along came Drew!! A grandson!! How wonderful and sweet he is. J says he’s always been surrounded by women, then along came Drew, to keep him company!PatBack Porch Musings
I have to say that these 3 rules totally apply to girls to. That is all I have experience with but I follow the same guidelines with my girls. Other things I find important are tons of family time, time alone for each parent with each child, encourage a love of reading and catch your kids being good! Also as a mom to a teenager I can’t stress how important it is that you have open communication with your children and that they know they can come to you with anything. That process is best started early and reinforced often.
what great advice. you & nate are obviously doing something very, very right because your boys seem to be as creative & loving as you are. I am learning so much from my girlfriends with children & am filing it all away for the day I have one of my own ~ one of the advantages to having kids late in life!which may be sooner than later….love ya ~TG
Oh, I have the same feeling about boys. When I first found out Isaiah was a boy, I was a little upset. But now I can’t imagine it any other way!By the way, I love their room. Especially the curtains!