Anyone have 4 boys and not have gender disappointment?

[4boyfamily]

I am pregnant with DC4 and just found out at 20 week scan last week it is baby boy number 4. Obviously knew there was a 50/50 chance and I adore my 3 boys but I had such a strong feeling this one was a girl (feel so different!) and have been calling him baby girl for months!! It's absolutely floored me. Didn't think I really had a preference I have always hated the term "gender disappointment" but I suppose that's what I'm having.

It doesn't help that we've told family and friends that it's baby boy number 4 and the responses have ranged from indifferent to shock that we could have 4 boys in a row, to disappointment themselves. It feels like no one is excited so along with managing my own feelings I'm also dealing with constant negative comments as we tell people one by one.

What I'm hoping for is to hear from families with 4 (or more!) boys who have maybe had gender disappointment and come out the other side or who could let me know what it's like with 4 boys one they're all here and growing up together. Do the negative comments from strangers ever end?

It's horrible out there that might be women unable to have a child, and people are worrying about whether its another boy or not.

Without boys, there's no girls.

I’ve nothing but compassion for people in that situation but it isn’t the case that one persons suffering means everyone else should be slavishly grateful for their children. Otherwise logically no one would have an abortion or even use contraceptives and that is a hellish situation (see Romania forty years ago.)

I'm sorry I didn't see this post earlier in the week. I actually have 5 boys all within a little less than 5 years. I had a very brief flash of disappointment of not having a girl (never told anyone). However, I quickly realized I was just meant to by a mother of boys. Three of my boys are adults now and out of the house.

Other people still say to me sometimes, "Oh, I'll bet you wish you had a girl!"

I only have two boys but I would have loved more boys. I’d have loved girls too obviously - all children are gorgeous - but I’d have been thrilled with two more boys.

I have nothing against girls - as I say I think all children are lovely - but I do think that parents of girls often experience more anxiety, just because of the way the world is. I’m already anxious enough so from that point of view I was relieved not to have girls.