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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what are the best things about having a little boy?

353 replies

KeplerYellow · 06/06/2017 14:51

I'm almost 30 weeks pregnant and really excited to be having a boy. I am however getting a bit scared about the whole giving birth part, so trying to focus on the bigger picture. I would love to hear how great it is to have a son to help me concentrate on the positives.

OP posts:
gemdrop84 · 06/06/2017 21:56

My ds is 4 and he is my sunshine! Extremely affectionate and oh so cute. He came up to me when I got home from work the other day, threw his arms round my neck and said "mummy I missed you, I want to look at your face". He's very loving and a right cheeky scamp!

PersisFord · 06/06/2017 21:57

All babies are so lovely!! My little boy is chubby and cuddly. He's very independent and follows his older sisters round demanding their toys. He's very naughty in a very cute way - he was drinking my water earlier and glinting his little eyes at me over the top of the glass because he thought he was being really cheeky. When he wants to go to bed he marches up to his cot and puts in what he needs for the night (tonight it was his cat, a toy toaster and a soggy rubber duck) then kisses me goodnight and goes off to sleep with toys tucked under his arms.

Spudlet · 06/06/2017 22:01

Ds is a year and a half old, and I only have him so can't compare him to a dd (who I'm sure would be equally lovely). But he is ace. He toddles up with a huge grin on his face and flings himself into my arms. He did this when I was trying to do some yoga the other day and ended up sprawled across my head, which he found utterly hilarious 😂. He can't spend a full day inside under any circumstances - he must go outdoors and explore, like a puppy. Hence he has full waterproofs and we spent a chunk of this afternoon garnering odd looks because we were the only people daft enough to be outside!

He is just a happy, stubborn, wilful and joyful little person and he's awesome to be with, as long as you aren't trying to steer him away from anything he really wants to poke Grin

Aroundtheworldandback · 06/06/2017 22:10

The adoration and cuddles- till they get their first girlfriend.

Raggydolly3 · 06/06/2017 22:13

My little boy is three and he is gorgeous. He tells me that I am a pretty mummy every day.

stopfuckingshoutingatme · 06/06/2017 22:13

Main thing is less friendship dramas at school

stopfuckingshoutingatme · 06/06/2017 22:15

Let's Move this thread to feminism shall we Smile

I love My boys and can't imagine how girls would differ TBH

Mermaidinthesea123 · 06/06/2017 22:15

They are amazing, they love their mums. My son is 35 and we are so close, he is the best thing that eve happened to me.
They are noisy though Grin

eternalnamechange · 06/06/2017 22:20

Aw, this thread makes me pine for the days when my DS would tell me so randomly, and about 20 times a day, "Mummy, I lub yo".

But it also melts my heart when he says it to me now, on the phone, even though he's maybe on the school bus, a wee totie 1st year, or down the football pitch with his mates ❤️

And I just thinks he's the most hilarious creature around.

sodablackcurrant · 06/06/2017 22:21

Boys are just so affectionate. Girls are independent from the moment they can be.

Equally great IMO. But I have such a soft spot for boys.

seagreengirl · 06/06/2017 22:34

I've had one of each and there really wasn't a lot of difference to be honest.

The only thing that really amazed me was that my son was noticeably stronger as a baby. The strength in his little arms took me by surprise several times after being used to a girl. He is also very affectionate and my daughter much more independant.

I was also very apprehensive about having a boy but he has been an absolute delight.

However we have had much more drama with my DS than DD. This thing that girls are manipulative and boys are simpler is just not true IMO

NoLoveofMine · 06/06/2017 22:37

Main thing is less friendship dramas at school

This kind of talk is quite irksome. I go to a girls' school and everyone is lovely, supportive, kind, inspiring - not just my friends but so many girls in so many years. We look out for one another, have friends across year groups and always try to encourage and support everyone, not just our friends. This idea that girls' friendships are all "dramas" and falling outs is nonsense and grounded in misogyny in my opinion.

Misscheifmaker · 06/06/2017 22:38

My boys are awesome, as is my girl. My boys are 5 and 2, girl is also 5 (twins)

My 5 year old boy is the most affectionate, has to be cuddled constantly. Loves dressing up and role play and spent 2 weeks being peter pan. My 2 year old boy is a monkey. Is a cheeky one who already knows how to get his own way by making me laugh. Loves kisses and tickles. My girl is equally amazing. Loves fiercely and cares deeply but a competitive soul who hates to lose.

Children are amazing but also very tiring!

NoLoveofMine · 06/06/2017 22:39

Boys are just so affectionate. Girls are independent from the moment they can be.

Again, these stereotypes just aren't true. I've always been affectionate to my parents and, whilst valuing independence, love doing things with them.

I can't see why there'd be any best thing about having a boy which wouldn't also be the best thing about having a girl. Best thing about having a child, surely?

AvaCrowder2 · 06/06/2017 22:39

StandandWait

I agree.

I have both, dd was my first and I really thought she was the second coming.

My dh did that thing after we socialized with other parents, he felt sorry for them because their baby wasn't as good as our baby. Even I could say, 'I think they feel the same about us'

Fun times. Your baby will be special because he is your baby. That's wonderful enough.

Pigface1 · 07/06/2017 00:40

I don't have kids but based on my interactions with children of friends and family, I would really, really like a little boy. All babies are lovely of course but something about little boys just melts my heart.
Congratulations OP :)

Nationcreationbusstation · 07/06/2017 01:38

I was a strong hungry girl could eat and eat. Brother was so picky and didn't eat much. Brother never really been affectionate whereas I always was... I would even tell my mum I thought she was pretty Shock

Some of you sound quite deluded honestly (some). And I can't imagine a thread the other way round going down at all well.

nooka · 07/06/2017 02:06

I think some of the desire to say that boys are wonderful is that sometimes mothers of boys feel that they are pitied by mothers of girls, so it's a bit of a defensive thing.

It's daft to say 'boys are like this' as some sort of absolute statement (and slightly ridiculous to claim no stereotypes here). All any of us can do is talk about the boys and girls we know.

My ds for example was fiercely independent pretty much from birth, where dd was a limpet. She is still more likely to seek out my company, although ds and I also enjoy spending time together. He is in many ways far more like me so we have lots in common (not always a good thing!). Way more about personality than sex.

Anyway there is no doubt lots of joy ahead of the OP. Children bring an extra dimension to life.

MrsPringles · 07/06/2017 02:49

My 2yr old is the biggest mummy's boy. He is so cuddly, it's amazing.

He's my little sidekick, I absolutely adore having a son

Pallisers · 07/06/2017 02:59

boys give you 10 times more affection, 10 times less drama and not an ounce of manipulation in sight!

Fucks sake!

I have a boy and 2 girls.

Same amount if maybe a bit less affection from my son.

No drama and no manipulation from my girls.

Plenty of shit from all 3 of them though - they are all now teenagers.

This thread is weird. people are individuals.

bigbuttons · 07/06/2017 06:34

How can you adore having a son or adore having a daughter? Surely you adore having your child?
Cringey comments.

Yogagirl123 · 07/06/2017 07:10

I am mum to two boys born 21mths apart, they are teenagers now, been fantastic, I love, love, love my boys. They are so loving, funny, understanding and considerate to me, I have Multiple Sclerosis, they have handled it brilliantly,( I didn't know I had MS before I had them). I just can't fault them, total opposites in character and that probably why they get on so well, of course they have there moments! I secretly wanted a boy, so to have two was a dream. Please don't worry about the birth, it will be ok, I was worried too but it was much better than I expected it to be (natural delivery with both) good luck OP enjoy.

Coddiwomple · 07/06/2017 07:26

How can you adore having a son or adore having a daughter?

Easily, I have both and I love each of my kid whilst recognising their differences, it's very simple.

For example:
My boys were so much more cuddly and loving, the youngest one still wants to be with us to fall asleep, and that's lovely to cuddle that little bundle of love every night.
My daughters are more independent, and my youngest only wants a story and a quick cuddle then is more than happy to be left alone to fall asleep with her soft toys.

I do find it a lot easier to deal with teenage boys than teenage girls!

It doesn't mean I regret having a girl, or would have regretted if I only had girls. They just happen to be so different, and have their good and bad points. The question was about what is the best thing, and there are so many.

InionEile · 07/06/2017 07:36

One of each here and I can't say that there is much difference between them. A couple of minor things:

1.) No need to do hair and comb out tangles and have hair slides / ties at the ready all the time with my son

2.) Saving on gym membership - chased my son around so much, I never needed to work out! My daughter is high energy too but not as intense as my son was. That could be personality too though.

3.) Developing nerves of steel as my son would run off on me constantly and always wants to test boundaries to see what he could get away with.

That's about it. So far, I prefer the daughter experience but mine are 5 and 2 so that might change as they get older. People are nicer to me as the mother of a girl. With my son, I constantly get suspicion that he's trouble or drama from other parents about his behavior. There is an assumption that boys are aggressive or hurtful when they don't mean any harm. My daughter has a strong, feisty personality but that's seen as cute and endearing, not harmful. With my son, caregivers were less tolerant of tantrums or bad behavior and less empathic towards him when he was crying or upset.

noeffingidea · 07/06/2017 07:51

No need to do hair and comb out tangles this one seems to come up quite a lot . Girls can have short hair too Smile
I would agree that puberty is different for boys and girls, obviously due to hormonal differences. One of my boys found puberty very difficult, I've got to say. The other one barely noticed