05/03/2023
This got me 🥺 💙
What a privilege it is to raise a little boy.
There’s just something about a little boy.
Oh, girls are special, there’s no doubt about it. Your little girl will be your sidekick for life, your someday friend and confidante.
Girls can be tricky though, and they will push away hard before they find their way back to you.
But a little boy?
He will be the easiest love you’ve ever known.
He is brave and adventurous and as rowdy as they come, but when he’s finally still and asleep in his bed, you’ll always see the baby you cradled in your arms.
He has more energy in his pinky finger than you have in your whole body, and it may exhaust you just to watch him sometimes. Sometimes it’s better not to watch, actually.
He might be rough and loud and dirty, and you will have to remind him often to be gentle and “a little more quiet, please” and to take a shower, for goodness’ sake.
You have no idea where he puts all the food he eats, and your couch and chairs and tables and railings and toilets and walls won’t ever be the same.
But you know someday the fridge will be full and the cushions will stay on your couch, and even just thinking about it leaves a lump in your throat.
He will put on a brave face, but in the quiet solitude of his room it will be your tender words of comfort he seeks. And when his feelings are hurt and his heart is broken, you will be the one he turns to.
He may choose football or soccer or karate or chess—it won’t matter because as long as he loves it, he’ll put in 110%. And no matter how many people are cheering him on, his eyes will always find yours in a crowd.
He might be a living, breathing replica of his daddy, or be nothing like him. Either way, he’ll find ways to tell you he’s his own person, through and through. Make sure to listen.
You will worry about him. That he’ll make good decisions and not put himself in risky situations. That he’s listening even when it seems like he isn’t, and that he’ll learn from his mistakes, as much as you want to keep him from making them in the first place.
You will encourage him to choose good people to walk with him through life, to not be afraid to ask for help, and to be a committed and equal partner.
You will pray that he never feels like he has to hide who he is, or compromise his morals and values just to fit in.
And you will steel your heart for when another love takes priority over yours, at least for him.
Because your heart will be his forever.
And no matter what, he’ll always be your little boy.
What a privilege it is to raise a little boy.
