Dealing with gender disappointment - sorry for another thread

[BoyMeetsWorld]

Really sorry for another gender disappointment thread; I know these create mixed emotions really just need to get thoughts down in writing and talk to others as a way of moving forward.

So I already have an amazing DS who I brought up originally as a single mum and is my world. Now married (different dad) and DH & I are expecting. Found out yday at scan that baby is healthy and another boy.

DH is ecstatic as are his family - for them it's all about carrying on the family name. DS not really interested (he's 4) but mildly pleased that he guessed the correct gender. Lots of well meaning friends & family messaging me how sorry they are for me as everybody knew I had my heart set on a girl.

I really really did. I feel so alone in my family of boys sometimes - even the dog is a boy. Of course I love them, but I can't get excited about boy games, toys and tv programmes. In fact, all the trains and cars and fighting figures all over my pretty little house drive me insane. I'm not the sporty type, don't want to be getting dirty and play fighting. They mess everywhere up and don't care, make the toilets smelly, hate shopping and couldn't care less about watching any girly programmes or having pamper time.

My MIL messaged me when we found out saying at least il get "me" time now & to make sure DH takes them out lots to do boy things. But that's precisely what I didn't want...I feel so alone and like im grieving for the princess I'd imagined, named and planned life with.

I know boys are super affectionate. DS tells me lovely things regularly. That's part of the issue too - I can't imagine loving another boy as much as him: I've already got my little man.

I know this will anger some people but I can't help how I feel. I've cried almost constantly since we found out yesterday and haven't been able to sleep all night. Dreading going into work and facing everyone.

I need some ways to cope. I'm not convinced by the logic that when baby pops out everything will change and il adore him too. I didn't even overly want another baby - I did it for DH because he's taken on me and DS and desperately wanted one of his own. Now I feel so empty. I can't bond with the thought or with any names. Please tell me this will get better

[user4111]

I know this thread is old, but if anyone reading it would like to help with my research into Gender Disappointment (hearing the voices of mothers struggling with it), please see my thread under Media Requests. Many thanks

[LH1981]

I understand completely boymeetsworld, I'm currently very early in my 3rd (and last) pregnancy.

I have two amazing boys. At first, we were only planning on 2 children. When I found out that my second was another boy, I was a little disappointed, but not for long and now I couldn't imagine it any other way. They are so close and just fab fab fab.

But, I want my little girl. To deny it would be to lie to myself. Of course, when I find out the gender (which I will if poss), if I'm having another boy, I will love that little boy as fiercely as my other two. But, I will have a cry for a while before he's born, for the little girl I won't have.

I will be thinking of the adult mother-daughter relationship that will never be, planning her wedding together, my dh giving her away, being there for her when she has her own children etc etc. The relationship with grown-up boys is different. Of course these things are all abstract concepts that may have never happened anyway. Not all mothers and daughters are close, not all daughters will want to get married or have children etc, but it's the dream that I'll be grieving for - however briefly.

[tak1ngchances]

"all the trains and cars and fighting figures all over my pretty little house drive me insane. I'm not the sporty type, don't want to be getting dirty and play fighting. They mess everywhere up and don't care, make the toilets smelly, hate shopping and couldn't care less about watching any girly programmes or having pamper time."

I know loads of guys who love watching the Kardashians with a fot spa. I'm not kidding, and some are gay and some are not. They're just people who like those things.
What if you had a girl who messed up everywhere and didn't care, made the toilets smelly and hated shopping? Would she be condemned to a life of never being quite the daughter her mother wanted??

Right now, you are carrying a person and you have to wait and see if they are interested in the same things as you or not, regardless of gender

[Wuxiapian]

I hope the OP managed to pull herself together and is enjoying her son.

[Howly]

I hate shopping, love geology and geography, getting outdoors and messing around in the mud!! My younger brother hates getting dirty, loves shopping and fashion and will watch all the girls tv when he visits my mum! My dad always says we were born the wrong way round but wouldn't have it any other way!! I'm now 14 weeks pg with 1st baby, And husband is dying for a boy to watch the footy with (a little mini him) I don't care as long as its a healthy little bundle!!

In our family we have such a mix of children and none stick to stereotypes!!

A friend of mine also has a very independent little girl and a clinging little mummies boy who just wants to be hugged and cwtch down with mum all the time ... So you never know what character your lovely little boy #2 is going to be!

[Doobydoo]

I have 2 sons..one of 14 the other 6...they are fab!!
My first child a daughter died.
The only thing I find is that as I have never been a boy...don't always know how they tick...they are my children....Love 'em!

[Inglori0us]

I know exactly how you feel. Ignore those saying you shouldn't have got pregnant again, it's a stupid and heartless thing to say. You never really know how you will feel until you're faced with the facts and the emotions they generate.
I'm expecting a ds, and I really wanted another dd. I've accepted it now and I never doubted I'd adore this little boy, but I felt sad for what I perceived i'd "lost".
I always imagined having "my girls" for example, and I have all dd's clothes in the loft which will never be worn by another dd of mine. I found it heartbreaking for a while and I was consumed by guilt. I cried after my gender scan, and on an off in private for a week or 2 after. We've struggled to think of boys names too.
Having a son seems so unknown to me, but now he's nearly here I can't wait to meet him.
You will feel better. It will just take a little bit of time.

[IrnBruTheNoo]

"I can't get excited about boy games, toys"

Really? They're much better than girls toys, and such a variety to play with IMO/IME. I cannot see anything exciting about Barbie dolls or Lelly Kelly shoes, sorry.

[PenguinsDontEatKale]

Though if the OP is still around, it would be interesting to know how she feels now her baby is here. Might be helpful for people OP?

[Fishandjam]

Oh arse...

[greentshirt]

This is another really old thread, check the dates everyone!!!

[Fishandjam]

Look on the bright side OP. For many years, you will have a household where all the other occupants are totally in love with you. Mothers of daughters usually have a phase where their daughters have eyes only for their dad.

[siblingrevelry]

Surely if you're saying you originally hadn't wanted to have another child you wouldn't have ever had a daughter anyway-this way, your new little boy is a bonus?

[figroenewald]

Please see my thread under the Media Section, I'm researching Gender Disappointment to raise awareness of it and would love to talk to you.

[workingonitagain]

lovemybabyboy i completely agree with you. im pregnant with dc3 and its very looks like its another boy but i got to the stage where id rather say we don't know what we are having as it gets so boring and upsetting having to explain that i am ok with it and no im not gutted :) never mind we know how we feel and its nobody elses business

[pumpkinsweetie]

I have four girls, and i am 15wks pregnant with no5, but all i care about right now is that my child will be healthy and happy.
I'm fed up with comments from people already assuming we got pregnant just to concieve a boy and it drives me nuts.

1 out of 4 of my girls is a tomboy who likes to climb trees, wear boys clothes, watch football and get covered in mud so it doesn't matter what sex you prefer your child may be feminine or masuculine whether male or female. Babies are babies and even if you got the sex you wanted once out of babyhood you will not be able to stereotype them in to girlie girl or macho boy so be happy with what you have and that they are healthy.

Alot of mothers only hope is for a healthy child, put things into perspective and just be happy you have a healthy baby and embrace what you have!

[Writerwannabe83]

Me and my partner haven't even got pregnant yet and I worry about things like this.

I would never want to find out the sex at the 20 week scan because I love the whole excitement of the surprise element, but my hubby has said he'd love to know.

When we do get pregnant (soon hopefully) he has made it quite clear he would like a boy. He told me that if we had a boy he would be happy to have just the one child, but if we had a girl he would want to try again to see if we could get a boy.

I think this is another reason I wouldn't want to find out at the scan - I would be heartbroken if the sonographer said it was a girl because all I would be thinking is, "I bet my husband is disappointed, what if he doesn't love her?" However, if we don't find out the sex and then I give birth to a girl I know that he will be full of so much love and happiness that he won't care what sex the baby is.

[lovemybabyboy]

I am currently 39+2wks pregnant with DS3!! I would have loved to have a girl, to do all the girly things with, do her hair, dress her up in pretty dresses etc. BUT I am so looking forward to my DS3 being born, he is going to fit right in and I love my two boys so much, can't imagine not having either of them in place for a girl. I love sitting on the couch watching my boys playing rough and tumble with their daddy, that is the best!
The thing that annoys me is everyone assuming that I must be disappointed to be having another boy!! I mean yes I would have liked to have a girl but in no way am I disappointed to be having another boy! He is healthy and that is all that matters! I am so in love with him already and have not even met him yet. I hate telling people that I am having another boy because the only reaction I ever get is "Awww, did you want a girl?" Like said in a disappointed, feeling sorry for me kind of way!!! I always say no I didn't want a girl!

[Robotindisguise]

I was thinking about this thread yesterday. Pre-children - before even meeting DH - I wanted a baby very much and even had a very strong mental image of what she (and it was a she) would look like. So when I was pregnant with DD1 I did want a girl. But of course when she came out she looked nothing like the baby I'd thought of all those years! And it was easy to laugh at myself and move on - but I wonder if I'd had boys rather than girls whether I'd be able to have let go of my "dream baby" so easily...

[Tiredemma]

I totally understand your point OP.

I had DS1 in september 2000- Found out I was PG with DS2 when he was two years old. Secretly hoped for a Girl- but found out at 20 week scan that I was expecting another boy. Accepting of this and happy overall that I was having another healthy baby.
DS2 born in July 2003-

DS1 is the advert for any sporting boy/child- naturally gifted in sports.
DS2 should have been born a girl- not interested in sports, has no friends who are boys- obsessed with dolls/hair etc. Like to come shopping with me and is a great little 'stylist'!

So the girl I secretly hoped for is strangely within DS2 (the things I imagined a little girl doing that was different to DS1)

DS1 and DP will go off every weekend to Rugby or Cricket- Ds2 and I will go shopping and visit elderly aunts and grandmothers where he gets to hemp them sort out their jewellery

IM now PG with DC3 (BIG SHOCK AND TOTALLY UNPLANNED!!)
So ill have a DS1 13 complete 'boy'
DS2 10 boy only by word - very much 'girly'

DC3 is a girl........ and I bet she will be tomboy.....

[sheeplikessleep]

Just to say we are expecting ds3 and felt similar at 20 week scan. I guess I envisaged always having a daughter at some point, I grew up with two sisters and just 'get' girls more. However, time really does help. I am due in a few weeks and cannot wait for my third and final little boy. I think it just takes time to get your head around a new family structure. If my new baby boy is as gorgeous and scrumptious as my first two, I feel so lucky and blessed.
i just wanted to say that time does change feelings. Don't be hard on yourself. Maybe you will always have a little yearning to have had a daughter, but I bet in time, you wouldn't change that little boy growing inside you for the world.
the time i knew i was over it, was when someone said 'what a shame' when they found out my dc3 was a boy. I felt so protective and defensive towards him and this lioness anger at this woman. How dare she show disappointment at my baby inside me. I didn't, but i felt this primal urge to push her to the ground!!
congrats by the way

[Wuxiapian]

Be grateful for what you have!

[Cravingdairy]

It's healthy to express your feelings and it can be hard to do that in real life so I'm glad you feel a bit better OP. To those who rush to judgment - have you never had an emotion you weren't proud of?