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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what you love about having a son

227 replies

BoyOhBoyOhBoi · 27/08/2020 09:36

So I recently found out we are expecting a baby boy and we are so excited!

My family is basically all girls, all baby cousins growing up were girls, all nieces etc... Are girls so I've never really been around or have much experience with baby boys!

I think because of my family I always had it in my head that I'd end up with a daughter but now I'm having a son (which is totally fine!).

Just wondering if some of you can share with me your experiences with having a baby boy and what you love about it? Smile (and maybe even if there is anything you think I need to be extra prepared for!).

OP posts:
Minimumstandard · 27/08/2020 13:08

Like it's literally all they can think of in the face of all the great girl things... stop it. All kids are huggy and touchy, it just makes it sound such faint praise!

Well, we could talk about how they will probably earn more and won't grow up to be subject to the casual sexism and misogyny which girls have to deal with but that's not a very cheerful subject given the OP's circumstances.

Also, there is something special about boy hugs! They seem more robust so you can really squeeze them Grin.

corythatwas · 27/08/2020 13:08

OP, forgot to say Congratulations! You will be getting your own unique and lovely boy!

Some are cuddly, some are not (Mine grew out of cuddles after the toddler stage, but has other ways of showing affection that are just as good: a shared joke, a smile, offers of help)

Some are boisterous and lively, some are quiet and thoughtful.

Some are stoic, some are sensitive.

Some share everything with their parents, some are fiercely independent (funnily enough, it's in the reserved and independent side of my son that I see myself).

Some are easy-going teens, some are not.

Yours will be a special and unique combination of traits and you will discover them as he grows.

stovetopespresso · 27/08/2020 13:09

i had zero experience of boys, but remember being got in the eye during an early nappy change was hilarious Grin - i learned to chuck a muslin over it in future

mumofpickles · 27/08/2020 13:10

You will learn to check the toilet seat before sitting down! My boys are loving bundles of energy and have brought lots of silly laughter to our house. I am even learning to enjoy football!

Yellowcar2 · 27/08/2020 13:11

My DS was so much easier as a baby then my 2DDs. Slept very well, ate well and just very much content. Congrats

RegularHumanBartender · 27/08/2020 13:13

I wish people could be viewed as individuals. Not all boys are cuddly and hilarious and not all girls are drama llamas and bitchy.........always the girls getting the negative press too

^^ Yes to this!

This entire thread is an exercise in lazy stereotypes dressed up as absolute fact.

StarUtopia · 27/08/2020 13:14

I have a boy and a girl - a year apart.

My little boy is very very loving. Never stops talking. Very cuddly - far more so than my daughter. Lots of climbing and jumping around - and shooting things.

Basically though. he's like a dog. Needs taking for daily exercise. My husband and I even laugh and say, the dog needs to go out!

Elsa8 · 27/08/2020 13:14

My DS was far more affectionate than my DD (who I adore and she is far more affectionate now she’s bigger). DD only started wanting cuddles with us when she was about three, DS has always been a cuddly boy. I used to joke he’d go back in the womb if he could, we used to go to play groups and he’d be furious if I popped him down to play with toys!

HairyToity · 27/08/2020 13:17

I have one of each. For me my son is the easier child, he is so laid back, and a very happy little fella. He is also very affectionate and gives the loveliest cuddles.

NoGinNotComingIn · 27/08/2020 13:17

It’s the same as having a girl only they have a widget. Unless you want to stereotype your baby from the day dot I don’t really understand what you are asking? The only difference between my 4 year old daughter and my 3 year old son is that when using the loo I have to remind the boy to make sure his willy is in the toilet. The boy likes dinosaurs and the girl likes princesses (their choice) they both play dolls together and mums and dads. They both like sport, they both like to ride bikes. There’s not much more to say, they are children and enjoy playing with toys. There’s personality differences but that isn’t related to their sex, they are 2 different people.

As tiny babies their is zero difference apart from remembering to hold the nappy over the boys willy when changing him so you don’t get piss in your face.

FizzyGreenWater · 27/08/2020 13:18

These threads always have a tinge of negativity towards girls.

Well they have to, don't they?!

Hmm
NK346f2849X127d8bca260 · 27/08/2020 13:20

I have 4 sons and a daughter, my boys are all very cuddly and when boys hit teenage years they are easier in my experience, what you see is what you get, girls are complicated. I do love my daughter dearly of course, she is my youngest and her brothers all adore her.

AnotherBoredOne · 27/08/2020 13:21

Stinky shoes.

JanewaysBun · 27/08/2020 13:23

I have one of each and there isn't much difference tbh (I even play at putting bows in DS' hair GrinGrin

Generalizing - you can watch lots of Thomas the tank engine and when he's bigger he can reach things that are high up lol

MolotovMocktail · 27/08/2020 13:25

I like the fart jokes and the comparative emotional simplicity.

BaconsLaw · 27/08/2020 13:26

I love how cuddly he is and how he's always giving out kisses.
I love how fearless he is.
I love that he loves pink.
I love that he steals my (pink) hair bands so he can have them in his hair.
I love that he insists on having his nails painted when I paint mine.

I hate the fascination with poo.

zingally · 27/08/2020 13:27

I have one of each, and both are as lovely as each other, but totally different!

The boy is cuddlier though! Or he'll at least tolerate me all over him a lot longer than his sister will!

Echobelly · 27/08/2020 13:29

Another one with a really cuddly boy here!

Jeezoh · 27/08/2020 13:32

It’s not really generalising though if people are describing their actual sons who have the traits of being cuddly etc Smile

SantaClaritaDiet · 27/08/2020 13:34

Got both

Boys are completely different from girls. Obviously there's always one poster who pops up about a daughter who is just like the boys, or a boy who is just as gentle as the girls...

but back in the real world, I tell you the most obvious difference will be when you have play dates! I guarantee you that a house full of little girls has nothing to do with a house full of little boys.

There's absolutely no reason to pretend it's healthy to deny all characteristics and that male and female are absolutely identical. It's stupid, biologically and factually incorrect and damaging for everybody.

Your child will have their own personality anyway. Boys are harder to buy clothes for as the choice is much more limited Grin, but seem only hated and accused of all sorts of horror on MN - where posters can simultaneously preach about full equality and accuse the male gender to be born abuser and predator.

TheMostHappy · 27/08/2020 13:34

I have 2 boys. They're like chalk and cheese. One very gentle, passive and compliant - one really really not any of these things. People are all different regardless of their sex I think. Congratulations and enjoy your baby boy.

mrsBtheparker · 27/08/2020 13:37

The differences I've noticed with boys is that they tend to get over things pretty easily where as girls hold grudges
Oh yes, when I was teaching this was very very noticeable, if girls fell out it was a full-on drama lasting weeks or even months, if boys fell out it got a bit physical and it was over, best pals next day.
If I had to tell a girl off seriously in Year 7 she remembered it until the day she left, even longerer, tell a boy off in Year 7, a day of sulks then back to normal.

mrsBtheparker · 27/08/2020 13:38

Obviously it was longer not longerer!

TatianaBis · 27/08/2020 13:42

Babies are babies.

I have 2 boys. One is very chilled and self contained, the other is more energetic, more emotional, loving and hubby.

TatianaBis · 27/08/2020 13:42

huggy not hubby! ^^