Monday 20 June 2011

I am the mom of boys



The first time I realized that I was the mother of boys was after our fishing trip a few weeks ago. Growing up I was never one of the guys. No one accused me of being a tom boy. I liked dolls. And sewing. I wasn't sporty. I read a lot- mostly Anne of Green Gables and Little House on the Prairie until I discovered Judy Blume and Danielle Steele. And if I could get my hands on a pretty dress, I wore it with exultation.

When boys did come into my horizon, I was just like all the other girls - passing notes, yearning for acknowledgement, and completely mystified.

I was never one of the guys.

And yet here I am, surrounded by them. I still like pretty dresses and writing notes. But find myself yearning more than ever for their acknowledgement.I want to fit in. I want them to like me, really like me. I studiously learn the difference between an excavator and a backhoe. I pride myself on knowing all of Thomas and his friends. And because I refuse to be mystified anymore, I devour books on the best ways to raise them and get downright adversarial when people misunderstand a boy’s nature.

I wonder sometimes how I’ll survive a lifetime of fart jokes and bathroom humour. I’m certain I will never enjoy touching the damned toilet seat and even though my mouth will be shut, I’ll likely roll my eyes every time they insist on wrestling it out.

I think it’s okay that I wore my pink frilly blouse to go fishing. I don’t want my boys to believe girls need to change who they are to be around them. I may not be willing to worm a hook but I brought the Doritoes and the sunscreen.

And I made sure all their outfits matched! 




The ladies at the Red Dress Club wanted us to use the prompt The first time I _____ed, after I _______ed.

23 comments:

  1. Love the pics. Love the story. Love you.

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  2. I love the pic of Deaglan with his fish.

    So did Shaune cook them up into something delicious?

    I love that you matched their outfits and wore your frills, too.

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  3. I relate to this post SO MUCH! I have 2 little boys and I was SUCH a girlie girl growing up.

    I don't think I'll ever get used to the fart jokes either, but I LOVE those boys like crazy. They've taught me so much.

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  4. I love where you took this post! And those pictures are too cute!

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  5. I wish every mother of boys could be like you-I'd never have to worry about Amy meeting "Mr Right." Because of you- those two cuties of yours will grow up to be fine men some day who respect women for who they are-thanks to the wonderful job you are doing in raising them:)

    And for the record-your frilly blouse is the cutest fishing outfit EVER!

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  6. Love all the pics! Looks like a really fun time :-)

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  7. Such great pictures! I am still coming to the realization that I am a mom of a boy too. It has only taken 2, almost 3 years.

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  8. I love the pictures Kim! Oh, how wonderful that you can hold on to your femininity but also "learn" the boy stuff. Beside every great man is a great woman, and boys become great men partially due to having had a great mom. :)

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  9. Love this story. And your son's hat is totally awesome.

    I'm the mother of 1 boy, but it's just the 2 of us. I was never super "girly" but there is so much more things about boys that I am learning by mothering one. I think they are fascinating.

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  10. I love how you add your personal touches to these writing prompts. I love the frilly pink shirt too!

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  11. Those are great pictures and I loved this post! Made me smile BIG! I'm a girly girl too.

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  12. I always thought I would have a boy instead of a girl. Even when the ultrasound proved me wrong I still refused to believe it! And now I can't imagine how hard it would be having 2 boys around me rather than my husband and daughter.

    I understand your need to fit in. I feel like Ali tries to do that with me and Maya and it can't be easy. But you are clearly doing a great job!

    Lovely post!

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  13. I can totally relate...and now that my boys are getting older, I try to reaassure myself that there may someday be future daughters-in-law to do the girly stuff with. Enjoy every minute of the boy time and continue to immerse yourself in it. Such fun times!

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  14. This is so sweet and very touching. I LOVE that you wore your pink frilly shirt fishing! I love your pictures...they are so perfect!

    Looking forward to reading more from you! New follower :)

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  15. Your family is so sweet!! I think it's great that you wore pink fishing. I think it reinforces that girls don't have to choose between being a tomboy or being girly. We can definitely be both!!

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  16. You look adorable in your pink frilly shirt. And the boys with their fishing gear and fishy catch, so cute!!!!

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  17. What a lovely, unique take on the prompt!

    I, too, was never a tomboy and would have so worn the pink frilly shirt fishing!

    i really liked the photos in this piece. They added another layer to the storytelling element that you've captured beautifully.

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  18. Your pictures are fabulous!!

    I love that you wore the pink shirt (which is really cute, by the way)

    One day...when they look back at these pictures, they will be so thankful that you helped them all to match!

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  19. Too cute -- your boys really are adorable, you know? And it's okay to be girly and frilly. I'm learning as I get older. Growing up, I always had more guy friends than girl friends. I liked to play outside and get dirty. And I was never big on wearing dresses. But I'm getting better. The older I get, the more I realize that it's kind of fun to be girly, sometimes. I still like to get a little dirty, and I'll alawys be the girl that baits her own hook. But who says you can't do that in a cute sundress? :)

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  20. Beautiful post as always. I love that you still looked beautiful and feminine while fishing!

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  21. Love it! :)

    Seriously - you crawl inside my mind and write what I think!!

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  22. i love your frilly pink blouse!

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  23. Those are some happy fishing boys!! I love that beautifully feminine you in your frilly pink blouse. The pictures tell a great story too!

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