What I Wish Everyone Knew About Being A Boy Mom

Five years ago, if someone would have told me I would be living in a house with all boys, I would have told them 'I hope not!' It is not that I never wanted a son. But, for the sake of being honest, I knew (or was naïve enough to think I knew) that I would be able to live without a son. A daughter, on the other hand, that is something I couldn't fathom living without. Who would be my lifelong best friend? Who would go with me on shopping trips while my husband went off to do boy things. That relationship I had with my mother was something that I knew I needed for myself.

Due to these feelings, I also constantly joked that I would end up being the one person in our families that ended up birthing all of the boys. And guess what, that is exactly what happened. I am rocking the boy mom status, and there is a very good chance that these two boys are the only children we will have. And the thing that I want everyone to know, is that I could not be luckier or more humbled than I am to have been blessed with sons.

I am as guilty as everyone else when it comes to the preconceived notions about boys and girls. Before having kids of my own, I also felt a bit of, dare I say, sympathy for people when they found out they would be having a boy. I mean, they just aren't as precious to dress up, and they couldn't possibly be as sweet and adorable as a little girl. And then I myself became a mom of not one, but two little boys. Suddenly I was on the receiving end of those comments and sad looks that I had in the past given to others. I felt so ashamed that I ever could have looked at a mother of boys and felt as if she were someone to be pitied, that she was missing out on something. That I felt sorry for her. I could not have been more wrong. I am constantly told I need to have another baby, because I would be such a good girl mom. I am told that I really need to experience one of each. But do you know what this all implies, regardless of the intention behind those words? That my boys aren't enough, when in fact, they are everything and more.

What I wish others (and myself) knew about being a mom of all boys is that you will never be short on love. I am the number one girl to not only my husband, but to two precious little boys who adore me. I get to see them be rough and tough, covered in mud and sweat, but then soak in their sweetness as I snuggle my youngest and watch him drift off to sleep, or when I lay in bed with my toddler and listen to him talk and giggle, amazed at the new things he is constantly learning. I get to experience so many new things that, as a self proclaimed girly-girl, I grew up avoiding. I am a better person because of the job I have been given in raising these boys. I burst with excitement when I see a tractor or a train, because I know I will point it out to my babies and they will be over the moon. We sing silly songs. We have dance parties. We do all of the things I dreamed of doing with daughters, yet it is just as sweet with my boys. In fact, I think it is special on such a deep level because, as their mama, I see such a gentle and precious side of them that is not so obvious in boys, that even when they are grown, I have a feeling will still be there.

I have the honor and privilege of shaping my boys into men. Men that will treat others with kindness and respect, that will hopefully be amazing husbands and fathers themselves. The love I feel when looking at them is something that cannot be explained or comprehended.

Do not pity us boy moms. I would never close the door on a daughter. But what having boys has taught me is that each and every child is their own person, and at the end of the day, a person is a person. They have their own little soul, their own thoughts and feelings, and my heart beats for each of my boys every single day. Looking back, I was so uncertain of how I could ever live without a daughter, and yet I never considered that I couldn't live without the exact children that I have. Having boys is the greatest blessing I have received that I never knew I needed. Moms of boys have a hidden understanding with one another, because we know that while people think we may be missing out on something, we know that that belief could not be anymore untrue. Being a parent is an honor and a gift, and some of us just so happen to end up with boys. Those messy little boys who tear apart my living room and track mud through the carpet? Yeah, I think I'll keep them.

Linking up with Annie today.

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Guest Blogger Post: Meet Brittany From Life As the Mrs.

I am so excited to be sharing my space today with one of my absolute favorite bloggers. I have been following along with Brittany from early on in my blogging days, and over the past few months we have gotten to know each other well. We are both mamas of little boys who are super close in age, and she has become the best resource when I need to vent, celebrate, or share those funny mommy moments. Her two little boys are ridiculously adorable, and following along with her daily life, cute fashion, and helpful advice is a little favorite of mine every day! Go check her out, I promise you will fall in love with this girl and her precious family!

Tell us about yourself and your family: 

My name is Brittany, and I have been married to my husband, Brandon, for a little more than six years. We are the proud parents of Walker (who just turned three…sob!) and Knox (8 months). We live in a suburb of Dallas; I’m a native Texan and Brandon moved here with his family from Knoxville, Tenn. when he was seven years old. We met at Baylor University {Sic ‘Em, Bears!}. 

I’m a relatively new stay-at-home mom; before I started staying at home, I worked in communications for a local school district. Before that, I worked for a public relations agency representing American Airlines and was there with them through their bankruptcy, merger and re-branding. Brandon works in sales for an aerospace development company. 

I blog at Life as the Mrs. and do a little contract PR work on the side. 

How did you get started blogging?

Before we got married, I started a now-defunct blog that was called “Small Town Southern Girl.” It was basically just my day-in and day-out life, and then our life as newlyweds…and quite honestly, probably quite boring. I got my degree in journalism and always loved writing, so I started this blog at the end of 2010. I have loved “meeting” the women from this amazing blogging community — some I haven’t met in person, and many I actually have…and I count some of those women close friends! 

Thoughts on being a boy mom:

I’m the girliest girl of all time, so never did I ever think I’d be the mom of two precious little boys - but oh my gosh, I wouldn’t change it for the world. Growing up, I thought I’d have girls and that my life would be filled with tutus, dance classes, Barbies and hair bows…but it’s filled with dump trucks, Matchbox cars, bonked heads, dirt and endless amounts of energy — and I absolutely love it. I’m so thankful God blessed us with our two boys and gave me what I didn’t think I wanted, but what He knew I needed. 

What has surprised you most about being a boy mom?

Even though I grew up with brothers, it’s totally different having little boys of your own. I’m constantly surprised at just how busy they are. I watch little girls sit in doctor’s offices and quietly play with the provided doll house, for example. And while they’re sitting there nicely playing with the people in the doll house, boys are loudly chunking the furniture halfway across the room and laughing about it. 

But, truly, the thing that surprised me the most was how much I would love being a boy mom and absolutely love these boys. 

What do you love the most about being a boy mom?

I love how much they love their mama. To Walker, I’m his “best friend in the whole world” and he’ll actually pitch a fit at night if Brandon tries to get him down for bed instead of me. And Knox has started this thing where he’ll cry if I leave his sight. Yes, it can get a little annoying at times, admittedly, but I know this is only a season and soon they won’t be this into me. But I’ll take all the sloppy kisses and “Mommy! I need you!”’s now that I can get. 

And, I love that I can now differentiate between a skid steer, a backhoe, a grapple skidder or an excavator, but I’m proud to say I now can and it’s just the most fun thing ever. ;) 

Your answer when people ask if you’re going to try for a girl:

Honestly, it annoys me when people ask me this question. I think it’s so personal and sometimes I want to ask why people are so curious about my intimate life - and it annoys me that they insinuate that my boys aren’t enough, so I “need” to try for a girl. 

My answer to that question is always, “No, we’re happy and done.” And that’s the truth! We are thrilled to pieces with Walker and Knox and are so thankful for them. 

Words of wisdom for other boy moms: 

Enjoy them, savor them, and don’t wish any of the moments away — even though it’s hard when you’re exhausted, worn down and in the throes of the “Terrible Twos” or have a “Threenager” or are waking up every two hours to feed them. 

With Walker, I always desired for them to hit the next milestone; to do the next thing; and to surpass what kids his age were doing. And gosh, it just wasn’t worth it! With Knox, I learned my lesson and am enjoying savoring each season he’s in. 

They grow so quickly, and soon those precious boys who told me each day, “Mommy, you’re my BEST FRIEND IN THE WHOLE ENTIRE WORLD” and gave me the biggest kiss he could muster…will soon me introducing me to the woman he intends to marry. I know I’m going to blink and I’ll be sitting at his high school graduation ceremony, moving him into a college dorm room, being escorted to my front-row seat at their weddings, and holding their precious babies in my arms. 

So, my words of wisdom to my fellow boy mamas: get down on the floor and play with them. Make “vroom, vroom” noises with cars and trucks. Take him to the airport to watch planes land and explain — for the 500th time — where the landing gear goes when a plane takes off. Wipe the mud and chalk off his pants and face — and invest in some OxyClean and “boo boo ice”…trust me. Watch the show(s) he wants to watch. Take him on a date with just you and teach him how to treat a lady. Hold that little hand that gets bigger each day. And show him how to love because — believe it or not — you’re raising someone’s husband and father. 

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