Teatopia

I could have written this post. I have a little boy in my lap and I have no idea what to do with a BOY. I know nothing about boys. I head straight for the girl toys in the store. I have so many fears. Everybody says "Boys are FUN" and that seems to be the consistent response. I don't believe that boys are inherently easier - I was the easy child in my family and my brother was the headache. Someday in the not so distant future, I know my boy will stop caring about mommy and he'll be all about daddy forevermore. And it scares the crap out of me. I have NO IDEA what I'm doing here. I'm only hanging on by faith. *hugs*

ps. If you check out this post of mine, I received some really awesome comments.
http://thenoodleincident.org/blog/?p=415

Funny. I look at girls things in a store, and it makes me so greatful that I'm having another boy. I mean duh, I'm a girl, so I should know what to do, but I'm not a girly girl, so most of the frilly pretty girls things in a store, remind me of being a kid and REFUSING to wear such girly stuff. The bizarre thing is, is that when I was pregnant the first time around, knowing I was having a boy, I had the same worries as you. What do you DO with a boy. Well let me tell you - boys DO stuff on their own. They get messy in the garden and dig stuff up, and build 'construction sites' for their cars and the only time they really need you is if their game requires 2 people, i.e. throwing a ball (yay for having another boy!) or when they want to show you what they've constructed :) Personally I love having a boy, and can't wait for the next one. But it doesn't stop me from wondering what having a girl would be like, and considering a third. But given how this pregnancy has totally kicked my ass, I reckon this will be our last. If they go off and get married, and spend less time with me, then so be it, it just means I've done my job as a parent well so that they can fend for themselves in the world, I also think that it will be kind of liberating to have more time to myself, and not have to worry if my daughter has 'married the right guy etc', I dunno, I just think I would worry SO much more about a girl. Not that I don't worry about my boy at all, but you know what I mean. :) Dang this motherhood thing is tough isn't it?

Ugh, I spelled grateful wrong. I hate wrong spelling. :)

It will work out. And remember, this little boy of yours has two parents. One of whom used to be a boy. James probably has some insights that will help you figure things out.
I was the only girl, with two brothers. None of us were stereotypical of our sex - I was not a girly girl, they were not boy's boys. I think the important thing was that we were allowed to be ourselves.
Having said that, being the mother of a boy myself - one of the mysteries of these creatures is the wrangling they love to do. MrMan, Sam, my dad - all of them really enjoy physical play. So I just let them. While I read a book.

I asked my husband this and he said. Boys are simpler. They really never change except their responsibilities increase. Well if they want them to but girls can be pretty irresponsible too. They forever like gadgets and sports and sensitive egos. But of course Niel knows he's generalizing. But I think for the most part its true.

Girls as we know some can be more emotional and complicated and you tend to worry about them more and this could be purely stereotypical because you don't want them to get a poor self image at a young age and do nutty things later in life.

Plus there is the money factor sweet sixteens and weddings to pay for in addition to college and Christenings or Bat Mitzvah's.

But also some mother inlaws can't let go of their children( girls or boys). After a couple gets married they make their own life and family. And in a way do forget about their parents. I don't mean never speak to them or ignore them, but their priorities change and I think for the most part it should be that way. You wouldn't want your son or daughter not to find a partner and be with you forever. I mean it will be sad once CD makes her way into the world without me but I will be happy knowing I hopefully raised her well and if we get to be friends she'll want to hang out with me occasionally.

And during the teenage years both sexes get all hormonal whether its constantly thinking about sex(something else most men don't stop thinking about LOL) but also their emotions are all over the place.

Little boys have cute clothes though. They get robots, polar bear prints in addition to sports and trucks. Plus they like to build and destroy legos they build. But you will be the image they think of when they look for a woman so try to think of it that way. Perhaps getting a book on how to raise sons will help you. I know we are reading a book on how to raise daughters will help us.

I am sure you will be a great supportive mother to your son as you are to Olivia and they both are lucky to have you!!

Plus when they are still developing from birth to a year you can play the same educational games you would with Olivia. You know like peeakboo and follow your voice and grab for things. But I am sure Lisanne will give you some good advice since as you know she has both.

I am sure this is a normal feeling, Hannah. Just try to put yourself back into the days when you were teaching. Those boys you taught weren't all the same...some were athletic, some were bullies, some were artsy, some were sensitive, some were bold. Your little boy will not be some cookie cutter stereotype of what a little boy is supposed to be. He's going to have you for a mom, and I'm sure you will be able so immersed in his development that it's all going to be second nature to you.

With that said, I do think boys are a little easier than girls overall. I don't think they're necessarily easier when they're little, but when they become teenagers I think boys are a little easier. I'll never forget the time when my little brother was 16 and he didn't come home one night. My parents were worried; my mom went out and searched the city for him. When he finally called the next morning to tell them he'd forgotten to call and he'd slept at a friend's, all he got was a stern talking to...no real punishment. If I'd done that I'd have been DEAD MEAT. Seriously, they would have probably taken away my car. I've brought that up to them a million times, and they always say "It's just different with a girl. You worry about them more." If I'd not come home they'd have thought I'd been raped or killed.

Anyway, these feelings will pass, I just know it. You're going to get comfortable with the maleness of it all sinks in that your boy is coming....maybe when you do his room.

Boys are the best! Ok I am a little biased but its true! I've been meaning to post about being a mom to almost 3 boys for awhile. (I get me new keyboard today so now I can). I'm a really girly girl too and always have been. I loved dolls and dress up and still love clothes and makeup and shopping and pink! I always pictured myself with daughters and totally thought Judah was a girl. But now I can't imagine not having my boys. I think so much of how a boy is is based on how he is raised. of course my boys are all boy but people are constantly commenting on how sweet and loving and well-behaved they are. When Judah was born a mom of 3 boys and 1 girl said "you have such a special relationship with your sons. Boys love their moms and don't fight with them like girls do." This little boy is such a gift and treasure from God!

Oh yeah, I love the book Bringing Up Boys by Dr. James Dobson. I was clueless about boys until mine were born (well I'm a little less clueless now). I grew up with just my mom and sister so I had NO IDEA!! haha

I have never bought into the crap that boys are easier than girls... I think it is hog wash... I think it depends on each child... no matter if they are boys or girls they can do whatever they want... if Olivia wants to play sports and baby boy wants to cook... so be it... just don't force them to be anything but themselves... case in point... Lore totally plays like a boy... climbs everything, jumps and runs every where etc... but she treats her pooh bear like a baby (no idea where that came from) and loves to pretend cook...

Just don't worry over something like this... it isn't a big deal...

i think boys tend to be easier than girls. i know when i was a pre-teen and a teenager i was TERRIBLE, and my in-laws constantly talk about how awful my sil was. they say joe was a piece of cake compared to her. i'm a girly-girl too, and i wouldn't know where to start if i had a boy either, but i think it was reassure me to realize i won't have to deal with someone acting the way i did.

I only have boys so I have nothing to compare to. I think that when boys are little they can be a bit more difficult, making messes, getting crazy but I agree with Chas more often than not they are easier in the teen years, not so many hormones and drama. But then again every boy is different, just like every girl is different. I still sometimes think to myself 'how on earth can I raise these 2 when I've never been like this in my whole life?'. Sometimes it's hard to wrap your head around it and other times it just comes naturally. I think when they are little, rules are rules so that part won't change to much between the 2 but when they are older it may change a little. My oldest is strong willed and my little guy pretty easy going so no matter the sex you just never know what kind of personality God is going to send you! In that regard your disciplining may have to change to meet the needs of each personality.
I used to always gravitate to the girly things in stores too - I'm a girly girl but I have come to see how much fun boy stuff can be too. They make WAY better stuff than they used to and the clothes are so cute too! I actually find the girl section a bit overwhelming now if I'm shopping for someone else.
You'll figure it out. You're a good mom - and you'll be a great mom to a little boy. At least in the beginning the only difference will be the 'equipment'. :)

I remember when we found out that Lucas was a boy and I thought, "I don't know much about little boys, but I'm *so* excited to learn!" You'll be absolutely fine. Not to worry, although that's easy for me to say, right? :) You're a great mom and will be a wonderful mom to a girl and a boy. :) Meredith seems really independent (and sensitive) ~ and Lucas seems to want our attention more. That's just what we've noticed so far. Yes, that's always the response ~ "Boys are so much fun!" In other words, they're destructive hurricanes. When your little guy turns two, I'm making you a "toddler survival kit." LOL! :)

Just echoing everyone's comments - it will all fall into place for you and you'll do great! I have two boys and I just "go with the flow." As for one being "easier" than the other? I don't know about that. My husband's cousin (who has one of each) told me that her girl exhausts her mentally and her boy exhausts her physically :-) And FWIW, my 5 year old LOVES cooking and arts & crafts. Those are his two favorite things! He also loves dress-up (playing pretend) and while it's not dresses and jewelry, it's still the same concepts. It will be easier than you think :-)