As a young girl, I envisioned raising two gentle daughters, outfitted in pink dresses and dainty shoes. I pictured them quietly playing for hours with their beloved dolls while we indulged in shopping for the latest Barbie Townhouse and discussing our favorite mysteries. However, my reality turned out to be quite different—I became the mother of three energetic boys.
To be honest, my childhood dreams didn’t prepare me for the realities of boyhood: buying Gatorade and Goober in bulk, or the frequent mishaps of falling into the toilet. I never imagined I’d be scrubbing urine off the walls or stepping on those deceptively small Lego pieces that could bring a grown adult to tears. Yet, despite the chaos, I’ve discovered some perks to raising boys:
- There are no leftovers at meals.
- No one ever protests about their wardrobe.
- Packing for summer camp is a breeze since they wear the same clothes every day.
- I avoid the drama of girls’ locker rooms.
- When friends visit my not-so-tidy home, I simply shrug and say, “Well, I have three boys and a St. Bernard. What did you expect?”
But don’t let my lighthearted take fool you; being a single mom to three boys comes with its own set of challenges, particularly when it comes to underwear. Early on, my boys got into the habit of running around the house naked, playing video games without a care in the world. I eventually imposed a rule: “No underwear, no Wii.” It was a necessary compromise to bring some order to the chaos.
One summer, after my youngest attended camp, we had a talk about the importance of returning home in his own underwear—not someone else’s, as boys often do in a hurry. It seems that even today, he brings home stray underwear from various places. I have to draw the line somewhere!
When my middle son expressed a desire for Under Armour basketball shorts, I learned they were essentially supportive Spanx for boys. He proudly showcased them and demonstrated their “cool” pocket feature, revealing a semi-melted Chapstick inside like a magician’s trick. I had to admit, I was impressed.
“Just think,” I suggested, “you could even keep some cash there.” To which my youngest quipped, “Yeah, but imagine being at McDonald’s, and you’re short on fries. Would you say, ‘Hold on, I’ve got two quarters in my underwear?’”
Then came the inevitable revelation from my eldest: “You guys are such idiots! That pocket is for a cup, you know, for protection.” Talk about a lightbulb moment for this single mom!
When it came to soccer, my son needed compression shorts, which are tight-fitting underwear. I found myself at a store without my glasses, perplexed and asking a teenager for help. When he asked if I needed a six or nine-inch inseam, I stumbled over my words, confused. “He’s in 4th grade, just moved into husky sizes.” Luckily, he clarified that he was referring to the inseam and not something else entirely.
Despite the challenges of raising three boys alone, I’ve come to appreciate the unique blessings it brings. As a mother of boys, I only need to be concerned about three boys and their antics. In contrast, mothers of girls have to worry about all the boys out there. Suddenly, buying Goober by the case doesn’t seem so daunting.
For those interested in the complexities of motherhood and pregnancy, we also have insightful posts, including one about fetal hiccups—check it out here. Additionally, for anyone starting their journey into home insemination, Make a Mom is a fantastic resource. If you’re interested in more about IVF, you can find excellent information here.
Summary:
Raising three boys is a whirlwind of chaos, laughter, and unexpected lessons. While my dreams of a genteel family life have transformed, the unique challenges and joys that come with motherhood have enriched my life in ways I never anticipated. Embracing the messiness, I find comfort in knowing that my experiences are not only relatable but also a testament to the unique journey of motherhood.