Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

do you have or know anyone who has 3 boys?

132 replies

belleandbete · 20/11/2019 05:01

Please tell me nice things about life with three boys, either your own, or a family you know- especially anyone who knows a family like that who are now grown up and still get on well. I need to hear some happy, encouraging stories as I"m feeling quite down about never having a DD.

(if you have awful stories feel free to share those too, I guess- need a realistic picture!)

thank you!

OP posts:
LimeRedBanana · 20/11/2019 05:18

My DH is the youngest of three boys.

We live on the other side of the world from PIL, but my DH has a great relationship with both his Mum and Dad. You all really like each other, IYKWIM.

He sees them at least once a year - often 2 or 3 times. And speaks to his mum every Sunday, come rain or shine. They chat away for a good hour or so, about everything and nothing. Lots of laughter, as I pass him by with the phone cradled under his chin.

MIL's eldest son, his wife and kids live close by to them - his wife moved to the area. They see each other daily. Middle son lives overseas (close by), and they visit regularly.

You are lucky to have three lovely boys, just as anyone is lucky to get the children they get. Thanks

LimeRedBanana · 20/11/2019 05:20

They all really like each other, that should say! Lots of laughs, stories, gentle ribbing, reminiscing, that sort of thing. Smile

Original poster
belleandbete · 20/11/2019 05:21

ah limered that's so lovely to hear- thank you! exactly the kind of story I was hoping for!

I am lucky to have my boys, of course, but I have been dragged down by the constant negativity I hear about all boy families and the pity I get when I tell people I have 3 boys. They are all lovely boys but also very boisterous and quite hard work so I sometimes wonder if life would have been easier with girls.

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Families
IVEgotthesparklersBIATCH · 20/11/2019 05:24

I have four boys and a girl who is the most demanding child by far. Although i feel she feels left out by her brothers Sad

whiskersonkittenss · 20/11/2019 05:24

My best friend has three boys. Aged 12, 10 and 2. The older two boys wind each other up and fight constantly. She's a single parent and I'm really not sure how she copes. They are lovely boys when separated, if ones out with their mates for instance.

Original poster
belleandbete · 20/11/2019 05:27

whiskers my older two fight constantly as well and I find it really hard.

OP posts:
MaidenMotherCrone · 20/11/2019 05:29

I have 3. They are adults now. They are best friends.

lilyfire · 20/11/2019 05:32

I have 3 boys - the eldest is 16. I think they’re adorable. Up to about 3 years ago they all had mid-length hair and I used to get told they looked like a boy band. They fight quite a lot but are also pretty close. They definitely close ranks if they think someone else is being mean to one of them. I like the feeling that they can be a bit of a ‘pack’ together. They are still all good at giving cuddles and much better than DH at noticing when I am wearing something new/had a haircut (and being nice about it!). I didn’t get pity so much as ‘you’ve got your hands full’ comments, when they were younger.

memaymamo · 20/11/2019 05:32

I know a fair few boy only families and they're all happy! A daughter is no guarantee you'll get along and you may well end up with some delightful daughters in law.

The stupid comments from strangers would really wear you down though, as can being a single mum!

My mother could tell you that daughters are huge trouble when they want to be, and it can be more painful as it's more likely to involve emotions and cattiness.

mynameisnotmichaelcaine · 20/11/2019 05:36

My DH is the eldest of three boys. We live down the road and see them a couple of times a week. The other boys live in London, but come back regularly, about once a month. DH's brothers are his best friends. I get on really well with MIL. My own mum died a long time ago, so MIL has been a second mum to me, no doubt. We are the only ones with kids. They are close to all of them, but the bond between MIL and our only DD(16) is very special indeed. They are off to the Good Food show together in a couple of weeks.

LimeRedBanana · 20/11/2019 05:37

For what it's worth, DH and his brothers didn't get on all that well growing up.

There's a year between his older two brothers, and then he came along about 8 years later.

So there were sibling issues enough growing up, as is likely with any sibling set, but everyone gets on so well now.

Phillpot12 · 20/11/2019 05:39

We have 3 girls. Very boisterous/loud/energetic who bicker like mad but can also be the best of friends. So I think 3 kids is hard work - gender is irrelevant! Yes, I am lucky to be able have 3 kids (twins + 1). I am dreading the hormones in the teenage years so think of me then!! Grin

Original poster
belleandbete · 20/11/2019 05:40

limered that is so lovely to hear. Your post has really cheered me up tonight. Thank you!

OP posts:
MaryTeenOfScots · 20/11/2019 05:41

Some good family friends of my family have three boys (between 17 and 25 years old) - my sister is marrying one of them! They're a really nice family and the brothers all get along fine. When they were younger they'd fight sometimes but I have two sisters and we fought too so it's not limited to boys.

Original poster
belleandbete · 20/11/2019 05:43

phillpot I have two friends with 3 girls same ages as mine. Stayed with one of them last weekend and her girls were unbelievably easy compared with my boys- so calm and sensible and responsible. The other friend complains about many of the same things I do so it's probably down to luck/temperament as much as gender. Although I do think society as a whole encourages girls to be more cooperative/likeable/docile and boys to be more rambunctious and cheeky/naughty so you often feel like you are fighting a losing battle

OP posts:
missyoumuch · 20/11/2019 05:46

I know a family with three boys at school. The 8 year old has long hair, wears nail polish, and carries a pink glitter backpack.

Don't get too hung up on what "boys are like" and just accept your DCs whoever they turn out to be.

lateSeptember1964 · 20/11/2019 05:51

I have 4 boys ageing from 19-28. Growing up life was busy with them all. They all get in great together and spend a lot of time with each other. The two oldest have left home but are constantly in and out the house. They also spend time With each other. I understand the sadness of not having a daughter as I am acutely aware of it. I think it will always be my greatest sadness in life. My eldest is married with a one year old. My assumption was that I would not see my granddaughter as much as her other Nan but that doesn’t seem to be the case. That said there are days when the sadness at never having a daughter is overwhelming x

ScabbyBabby · 20/11/2019 05:53

I have 3 boys, I think they’re absolutely fabulous, they’re all so different.
I think any 3 children would be hard work though regardless of sex!
I’ve got work now but be back later to chat more.

JoObrien7 · 20/11/2019 05:54

My son-in-law is the youngest of 3 boys and they seem very close as a family and the brothers are always helping each other and each others children.

cookiemonster5 · 20/11/2019 05:55

Hubby is the youngest of 3 boys and we have 3 boys ourselves.

Growing up he was always the one left out by his older brothers but it taught him to stand up for himself. Him and the eldest get in really good now but we don't have much to do with the middle brother purely down to his life choices. Well I chose to have nothing to do with him and won't allow the kids to either but hubby can do what he likes.

With our 3 they are never apart. There is a bit of an age gap between the older 2 and the younger one but they love their little brother and he adores them. He misses them like crazy when they go to school and will stand and wave when he sees them walking home them disappear to the eldests room to play while they do homework just so he can be near them.

We have some epic games of hide and seek between them and someone is always playing football in the living room, Lego foot was always a risk and will be again and the little one is old enough. Wouldn't change them for the world. And boys are more cuddly and protective too.

There are 2 girls in the family, one on either side, and they are the hardest work. It's very often commented that having all the boys together (5 total) is less work than just having one of the girls at a time.

JoObrien7 · 20/11/2019 05:56

@belleandbete
Why are you down about not having a daughter? I was never bothered what sex my children were and loved them because they were my babies and were born healthy. I do have a daughter btw but I would not have cared is she had been born a boy.

eenymeenymineymo · 20/11/2019 05:57

I have 3 boys, all adults now (between 37 & 29 yrs) & can honestly say that I'm very proud of them & think we have good & close relationships. But the age gaps (nearly 6 yrs b/w DS1 & DS2; then almost 3 yrs to the youngest) was a bit challenging at times with sibling stuff & very different personalities while they were growing up.

Their teen years were difficult at times & so I looked forward to each of them moving out occasionally but now I chat with each of them most weeks & get on really well with their partners. It's good to have sons.

I read once about how teen boys have to cross a (metaphorical) bridge to their adult hood, & mums have to (should) take a step back & let other males role models guide their sons at this time, rather than organising them too much.
See the book called "He'll be OK" by Celia Lashlie.
NZ based by the way, but applicable for lots of boys & mums everywhere.

And yes I could waste time thinking about all the what-ifs for a maybe &/or if-only grown up daughter, but I think I would be missing out on what I do have.

RicStar · 20/11/2019 05:58

My dh is the oldest of 4 brothers, they were close growing up and are still good friends/ have a great relationship with their folks now. I am one of 5, 3 girls and 2 boys, my brothers are much closer with my folks than me - although we all get on well. I have one dd and two ds they are all very different and I get very bored by lazy gender stereotypes of what girls and boys are like, although there probably are some differences due to socialization and the like these are drowned out by individual personality differences imo.

Marcipex · 20/11/2019 06:02

My husband is one of six boys. They are all close and meet up a lot. Every year they have a weekend get together that is just them, taking it in turns to host.
Of course there was the odd scrap when they were little, and once they broke a chandelier, playing football indoors.

Amelia1529 · 20/11/2019 06:09

I have 3 boys aged 30, 29 & 23, followed by 2 girls 22 & 11. My oldest boys fought constantly but as adults they have a great relationship, and I feel it's getting better the older they get. 3 boys are lovely!!