Three little boys...

Many moons ago when I was first pregnant people kept asking me whether I wanted a boy or a girl.  I got so sick of this that I just came out with "Four boys".  It was not expressing a preference;  simply trying to get them off my back and I have to say it worked.  By the time they'd digested the answer I'd usually managed to change the subject. 

My first two children were indeed boys and then along came pregnancy number three.  "I expect you're longing for a little girl this time...?" was the new refrain.   Aaaaaarghhhh!  To my mind both these questions are just plain stupid.  I couldn't choose, therefore it was a matter of be very grateful for what you get.  And along came a third boy.  I have to admit I was thrilled.  Apart from anything else I wouldn't have to deal with a teenage girl like her mother...ie me! 

Three boys is hard work but great fun.  I'm quite sure three girls, or two girls/one boy, is too but I'm not qualified to comment.  The curious thing is how many friends I have who also have three boys.  Maybe that's because in the early years (when the girls were still "Oh no, we don't want to play with girls!") we inevitably met the parents of more boys. 

All day yesterday it was raining - pouring in fact - and I just wasn't motivated to do anything;  so I went looking around the web at other blogs.  To my surprise I came across Puppy Dog Tales which is full of very familiar stories from another mother of three boys.  Hers are much younger than mine and she still has plenty of hard work ahead.  I well remember those potty training days, the temper tantrums (oh boy, those were tough!) and the "Really, why am I doing this?" as I drew yet another wretched fish to be scribbled over.  The mess in the bathroom, the toys all over the floor, the untidy bedroom.  But it's a bit like going through a long tunnel with air holes.  Just as you think you really can't cope anymore the kids turn gorgeous and come over to give you a cuddle and say "I love you Mummy".  Or they make clearing up lego a game and actually do it. 

The great thing is that as they grow up they become even more lovely.  The issues don't change though:  boys always leave the bath dirty, they never replace the shampoo, the loo seat is ALWAYS up and they NEVER seem to tidy their rooms.  But who cares?!

Comments

[polly peirce]

Tell me about it!

One of my friends already had two boys when I fell pregnant with BB. Her comment? Boy's are so affectionate!

Despite the loo seat, clothes on the floor, fighting, etc they constantly surprise me when they suddenly tell me that I'm "the BEST!" or creep up behind me for a cuddle.

All is forgiven, in less than a heartbeat...