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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:
Vivi0 · 27/08/2020 13:42

@Jeezoh

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

The OP asked what I love about having a son. I answered.

I have two younger sisters, my friends have daughters. I know girls are also cuddly and loving. But that’s not relevant to the thread.

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

My son being loving and affectionate is fact. I am not stereotyping by saying that.

Tomselleckhaskindeyes · 27/08/2020 13:47

My son tells me I'm his world and gives me lovely cuddles. Also love watching TV with him. He is really good fun and always likes to poke fun at me.

user1471538283 · 27/08/2020 13:48

I wanted a boy and got a boy! My DS is smart and the funniest person I know - he has me howling with laughter! He is still very affectionate (at 26) and is often the voice of reason which is very comforting. He likes his things but not lots of them. As a baby and a young child he was just a baby and a young child - there is no difference but it does develop as children grow older. You are going to have a wonderful time!

Vivi0 · 27/08/2020 13:49

and accuse the male gender to be born abuser and predator

That’s already happened!

TatianaBis · 27/08/2020 13:49

Regarding stereotypes -

I have a girl as well and she is more hyper than the boys - absolutely fearless, she loves riding - the boys are unbothered, even a bit alarmed by horses. She was the first to go to A&E with a broken bone.

SunbathingDragon · 27/08/2020 13:50

Everything. My DS is a superstar (exactly like his equally loved sisters).

Walkaround · 27/08/2020 13:53

I love my boys because they’re gorgeous and funny. My only warning would be, to take care when nappy changing, as a poorly directed willy, uncovered by a muslin, has a tendency to pee in the baby’s face when you lift his legs up! Grin

Tunnocks34 · 27/08/2020 13:53

I must agree though when they get to school there are stark differences between boys and girls (as a rule but there are exceptions)

My sons have always have access to a complete mix of gender stereotypical toys. My eldest loved his doll and pram from 1-4, my middle son loved playing hair dresser and having his nails done. In fact my eldest son wore an Elsa dress for almost a year near enough continually (taken off only to wash)

But they very quickly adjusted this behaviour themselves, and now it’s cars, football, superhero’s and dinosaurs. They will not use anything pink/purple. Obviously this is a reaction to watching and aligning their interests with peers, probably Picking up on ‘stereotypical’ toys in school.

It’s also vastly obvious at parties. The boys ‘wrestle’, they play football. Often the girls play much more nicely then the boys, and often more reliant that they are with friends.

Again, always exceptions to this and I don’t think girls or boys are better, or more lovely.

problembottom · 27/08/2020 13:58

My family is mostly girls and I felt a bit inexperienced with boys, I know exactly what you mean. I went onto have a DD but my DSis who had two DDs and then a DS told me she found having a son different in an equally wonderful way. She says he's super cuddly and fiercely protective of her.

BigKnickers87 · 27/08/2020 13:59

2 boys here and I come from a family a girls so it’s all new to me. They’re soooo affectionate though. Hilariously funny as well. But they never stop and they’re bloody dangerous 🙈

greyisagoodcolour · 27/08/2020 14:01

From a quick glance through this thread, I would agree it is about personalities - to those saying boys have fewer tantrums - not in this house -mine aged 4 and 7 are the Masters of Meltdowns (to the extent that we are getting professional help for the eldest).

It is interesting the number of people who say they are very loving and love cuddles and hugs - both of mine are very much like this. I think I once read that boys are more likely to get separation anxiety than girls?

Original poster
BoyOhBoyOhBoi · 27/08/2020 14:04

Thanks all for the replies!

It was never my intention to create a thread full of stereotypes or be negative toward girls Confused I have lots of girls in my family that I adore, I would never be negative towards baby girls! I always thought I'd have one myself.

I was asking for people's personal experiences of having a son. No need to take it negatively toward girls imo.

OP posts:
Original poster
BoyOhBoyOhBoi · 27/08/2020 14:05

And yes it seems it's all down to personality which makes sense Smile

Thank you for the nappy changing / wee in eye info too 😂

OP posts:
jessstan2 · 27/08/2020 14:07

I just enjoyed my child. It was great fun having a son but I'm sure is equally so to have a daughter.

Congratulations on your pregnancy.

Bumpsadaisie · 27/08/2020 14:07

I have an older DD and younger DS. And the stereotype rang true for us.

Older DD self weaned quite early, was always cuddly but less anxious about separation than DS. Of course maybe some of that is being the eldest and having to manage by herself sometimes when she was 2 and DS a newborn. She is still loving and cuddly but more emotionally independent than DS.

DS is affectionate and very much loves me and wants a story and wants me to tuck him in and adores me and will always be on my side when DH and DD tease me. He is 8 now and fine with separating but he needs me to manage separation carefully still, whereas I don't need to think about it with DD so much. Perhaps she is just less in touch with it - she is starting a new school and seems to have no anxieties about it at all!

EG next week he is back to school and he is already checking out who is going to collect him, where I will be and what I will be doing while he is at school, will I be able to read him a story that night etc ....

goose1964 · 27/08/2020 14:08

I found that my boys were less independent than my daughter, until she learnt to wrap them round her little finger. I still get messages from my now adult son asking me to ask his dad stuff.

MsMiaWallace · 27/08/2020 14:13

It's about time there was a more positive thread about having boys.

Boys are the best!!
I've just had my 3rd boy.
Everyone was hoping we'd have a girl. I was so pleased to have another boy.
My older 2 are so close. They play imagination play for hours together. If they do fall out it's over with & forgotten in about 10 mins.
I love dressing them up & getting there hair done like little cool guys too.
I love being surrounded by my boys & am so proud of them.

BernardsarenotalwaysSaints · 27/08/2020 14:14

I understood what you meant OP.

I have 5 dc, 3 boys, 2 girls. My sons have less moods, so far god help me when 10yo dd(c)1(10) actually hits her teens. My girls have always been prone to prolonged strops & seem to hold grudges for longer, the boys strop too, of course, but they get over it fairly quickly & won't bring up the fact that on one occasion 4 years ago they didn't get the 'good' biscuit I kid you not. They are the reason I have the no naked bottoms on the sofa rule though Blush. Other than that they're pretty similar Smile

ArtichokeAardvark · 27/08/2020 14:15

I have a toddler son. He is affectionate, loving, spontaneous, bursting with fun, and dear god has the boundless energy levels of a labrador puppy. My friends' daughters of the same age are happy to sit and colour, my son needs to be run round the park eight times or he's bouncing off the ceiling.

Boys are awesome.

ChickensMightFly · 27/08/2020 14:15

Whole hearted no holds barred hugs. 😁

Sceptre86 · 27/08/2020 14:15

Congratulations, hope you have a healthy, happy pregnancy. Day to day in terms of taking care of them there really isn't much difference between a girl and boy ( I have both). I would say my ds is a mummy's boy so I get lots of extra cuddles and kisses. He is a very loving child ( that might be to personality rather than gender), energetic and a joy as is his sister. I found toilet training was quicker with him but very interesting when he discovered he could aim! Boys clothes generally aren't as cool as girls but there are lots of retailers that sell brighter prints and more colourful clothes for boys eg. Jo jo, Frugi, Kite, Toby tiger, Tily and Jasper and PatPat.

Gobbycop · 27/08/2020 14:16

He's deadly accurate at pissing on me when changing his nappy.

Livpool · 27/08/2020 14:18

My family is all girls/women but I love having a DS.

He is so loving and is as happy giving me kisses as he is playing with his Avengers.

I don't have anything to compare it to but I wouldn't change anything

tigger001 · 27/08/2020 14:40

My DS is so loving, thoughtful, well mannered and caring, he is only 3 but always thinks of others (too much sometimes) and everyone comments on his manners and kindness.

He loves cuddles and kisses. He sits back and analyses everything so comes across as shy, stands back from boisterousness and he's really bright.

I could go on forever BlushBlush

ClumsyAnnabel · 27/08/2020 14:51

I've got two boys 13 and 10 and they're brilliant. Agree on great hugs especially now eldest is taller than me. They're funny kind and make excellent cups of tea. Different personalities definitely but I wouldn't change a thing.

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