I’m sure it’s not surprise to you that when my family of boys ask me to go hiking I give them the…
“Really?????” look.
Yea, I’m not the hiking type. In fact, I’m more of the let’s go shopping type.
But it just so happens that I now live with 4 people that are the opposite gender than me. They also have an opposite love for shopping than me.
It’s funny how God uses things like gender of children to kill certain habits. Ha! #kidding
It’s also interesting how He uses a mom like me to introduce my kids to the wonderful outdoors. Especially when He knows I’d rather be indoors.
The fact that it’s November and it’s even warm enough to hike is a miracle in itself. Typically around this time of year it’s freezing and the great outdoors become off limits.
But in all honesty, after we close the pool, my kids are DYING to find things to do outside. And if we didn’t go hiking…I’d probably just be summoned to a game of four square OR they’d make me pitch to them for hours in our side yard.
So, hiking doesn’t seem so bad after all.
Sometimes when I look at these boys I just can’t believe that they are all MINE. And that they are all SO BIG.
Like, the fact that they can ALL play on the playground equipment without needing mama’s help…kinda breaks my heart and makes me smile all in the same moment.
Have you felt that as a mom?
It’s wonderful and great and fantastic that you don’t have to be at there for every single move they make {thank heavens}, BUT it’s sad and overwhelming and crushing that you don’t have to be there for every single move they make?
I’m making myself sound like I have split personalities. But I just can’t explain the way I feel about them growing up and getting big.
One thing I can explain…is the fact that they like to explore and freak me out a little.
Ok. A lot.
I often wonder what it’s like to have a child that didn’t do something daring or crazy. One that approached every turn with caution.
My boys like to push the limits with everything they do. Including hiking. And including walking around on big giant cliffs while there mama panicked in the background.
I sometimes ponder the thought of being a girl mom…and how we would go shopping and do lunch. And get manicures.
But I think I was meant for this boy mom stuff.
If I’m being real…I don’t even like manicures.
And although I’m not claiming to like dirt and long hikes with sticks…I love watching these 3 fun-loving wonderfully hearted set of boys explore and SMILE like the whole world is in their hands.
That’s enough for me.
This is my favorite post you’ve ever written! I love, love, loved everything about it. XOXO
Awww, thank you Shay!
Love it, Mandy! You know I feel the same way about being a boy mom. I have so much fun with them, wish they could stay little, but love watching them grow! But I can’t imagine things any other way, and I love raising boys!
Thank you Erin! Yes…I totally agree that we are RIGHT where we are suppose to be. Raising boys and all!
Yes, hikes over manicures any day! Looks like fun, it was warm in WI today too, but rained all day long. No outdoor fun for us!
Woo hoo…another mom who doesn’t pick manicures over hiking! 🙂
Mandy,
Long time reader of your blog, but do not comment very often….. love the blog but wanted to make sure you are all ok….. Horrible weather in Illinois!
Marci
Yes we are! Thank you so much for checking in on us. Are you in IL too?
Yes, near Chicago but went to illinois state. 🙂
Did you stay safe? I know Chicago area had some damage!
Hey Mandy,
This a lovely post! I thought I was going to be a ‘boy-mum’ until we were told my 3rd was a girl! I loved every moment before I even knew she was on the way and like you said perfectly is was enough… Now I love all the smothering she gets from the boys until she’s had enough 😉
She will be so well taken care of by those boys!
Being a boy mom is the best! And you know, in some way it’s helped me understand my husband better. It gives you a whole new perspective on the male “race”! Ha!
Such a good point Kate! I never even thought about that, but you are so right!
Can we switch kiddos?? You can take my 3 girls shopping, and I’ll take your boys hiking! 😉
Haha! That would be fun! But I might go broke with your 3 girls! That’s the one advantage to boys! Hiking is free! LOL!
Ha! This is true…. Girls can get pretty expensive at times!
my 3 month old just learned how to hold his own bottle and feed himself. that is so bittersweet. one minute i am all “yay! what a big boy!” and the next im ugly crying because he doesnt need his mama anymore! i totally get your feeling!
Awww, I remember that too Sarah. It’s like they aren’t a newborn anymore when they can hold their own bottle. But, trust me…even better days are ahead!
What a beautiful post!! I saw your IG photo last night and could not wait to read the post this morning. First of all, I get such a kick out of those boys. Your fun posts make me laugh. I think that your boys are what my boy would have been like, if I would have had one. As you know, I have one, very girly, girl. We tried to have more children for ten years. After infertility treatments and a failed adoption, I decided that it was time to be gracious for what God had already given me. I am happy to see that you have already reached that blessed point in your life(: Someday you will have three daughter in laws to do girly things with too!! Thank you for being honest and open. I think you are just cool(: Susan
And I love your very girly girl Susan! I adore watching you post pictures of her dancing. She is so talented that it’s not even funny! Thank you for always encouraging me with your comments!
I just felt the same last weekend. This was the first family lunch, when my 20m old baby boy played with the other kids, and showed no need on us. That broke my heart, though it was great to se him being so happy and independent…
Loved your post!
Ivett
It’s bittersweet, right? I love watching my kids interact and play with other kids…but some days I’m like “Come cuddle with mama!” Haha!
This:
“Like, the fact that they can ALL play on the playground equipment without needing mama’s help…kinda breaks my heart and makes me smile all in the same moment. Have you felt that as a mom?”
Made me tear up- I haven’t quite gotten to this point with my little guy, but it’s coming soon. And it’s going to break my heart into a million pieces. He’s almost one and I just can’t believe how much he’s grown and changed in the past year- and how quickly it went!!!
Yes Emily it’s so very bittersweet! Every time I get teary about them not needing me as much…I get joyful that I have a few moments to just sit back and watch them be boys. Just soak it all in!
I couldn’t agree more, Mandy! I am Mom to a 5-year-old boy…he’s my only. When I was pregnant, I thought I wanted a girl so badly because that’s how I always pictured my life as a mom. However, God had other plans for me. And, like you, I feel like I was made for this boy mom stuff. I couldn’t imagine it any other way. I loved this post! And the pictures (and experiences) are phenomenal—ones you will always hold close to your heart.
It’s funny how God knows our needs before we do. Like I’m pretty sure I would fail at being a girl mom now that I think of it. Haha! Good thing someone’s looking out. 🙂
I am soooo with you on the happy/sad when they don’t need you any more on the playground! My kids are now 8, 4, and 2. I thought I would be so relieved to be at this point yet I’m torn between not being “needed” :-/
By this post and the comments made, I see I am not the only one!
Love this, Mandy. Your boys are SO cute. And you make a great boy mom!
Awww, thank you Jenny! That means a lot!
I can relate to the whole, they are getting so big and don’t need help on the playground anymore…sniffle, sniffle. And to think that I once thought that these moments would never come and that if they did I wouldn’t survive to see them. Being a mom is so great! 🙂
~Sarah
Sometimes I follow them around the playground and “hover” just because I want to still feel needed. LOL!
Love this post!!! My husband and I took our 3 yr old daughter to the park Sunday. It was the first time we sat down and watched her run around with some other kiddos. Yes, we felt sad that she didn’t need us to spot her as she monkeyed around, but it was neat watching her interact and figure out how to do things on her own. My inner nerd is about to be revealed – brace yourself! You might look up geocaching.com – could be something your boys would love to do and they are often hidden along hiking trails. We’ve been caching for a couple years and our daughter and 9 yr old nephew love it!! Just a thought 😉
“Like, the fact that they can ALL play on the playground equipment without needing mama’s help…kinda breaks my heart and makes me smile all in the same moment.
Have you felt that as a mom?”
EVERYDAY! My four babies are ages 5 and under, but they still seem too big to me. I just want to make time stop!
~Jennifer