Frankly, I love being a boy mom. BUT, if I had a dollar for every time someone said one of the following things to me when I’m out with my three boys, I’d be living on a private island right now:

1. Are you trying for a girl?
2. You must be busy.
3. *look of extreme sympathy*

My family is just like your family in so many ways. But there are some things ONLY boy moms know.

Ready to find out what they are?

DISCLAIMER: This post isn’t intended to say that boys are better than girls or any of that nonsense, but simply that having 3 boys isn’t something to pity! If you enjoyed it, please pass it on!

1. Boys appreciate my poop jokes

I love a good poop joke. No, not excessive ones at the kitchen table, but a witty poop joke can crack me up anytime. Try this one on for size:

Knock knock
Who’s there?
Yoop
Yoop who?
No, I didn’t poo. Did you?

I truly appreciate having an easily-pleased audience when I come up with that type of gem. Boys are just the audience I need.

2. Raising boys means fewer clothes

Sometimes I have a choked-up-teary-eyed moment where my youngest is wearing a shirt that I remember both his brothers wearing. I could have those moments every day if I had a better memory because almost every single article of clothing my youngest wears has been worn by both his older brothers. And since I have friends who give me their hand-me-downs, I’m quite sure I spent less than $500 in clothes in the past 12 years. Thank you boys for letting me spend my money on other things (like noise-canceling headphones).

I’ve heard this low-maintenance clothing trend tends to continue on in life, so I think we’ve got it made in the clothing department. We also won’t have to go into debt to afford makeup, jewelry, accessories, and handbags. And on that note…

3. I don’t have to share (mostly)

Except for the occasional time when the boys have wanted nail polish or to wear my necklaces, I doubt they’re going to want to share my sweaters and lipstick. Which works just fine for me, thank you very much.

4. Fewer toys in the house

Yes, I know, boys and girls can play with the same toys. But it seems that Toys R Us hasn’t figured that out yet. Until they do, I’m very happy to easily categorize all birthday/Christmas gifts into one of five bins: vehicles, rocks, marbles, Lego, and sticks.

5. Wrestling (and not wrestling)

I like wrestling with my boys on the trampoline. But when they get too rough, all I have to say is “be gentle with mommy!” and the wrestling is all done. It’s a great card to play, let me tell you.

6. I get to be their first love

This is true of all mommy-son relationships, but I think it’s especially sweet when there is no sister in the mix. I’m also the queen bee. There’s currently no other woman bossing my boys around, at least not when they’re at home. 😆

7. Easier hair

Last year, my youngest got lice. I know, right? SO GROSS. But you know what we did? Each boy took a turn in the backyard with the buzzer and we shaved it all off. Compare that to my friend with 2 girls who recently spent 14 hours total (no exaggeration) combing nits out of their hair. My solution: 10 minutes.

Also, I think I combed their hair about 5 times before they each turned 5. Only at Christmas, really. It certainly makes mornings easier. 😬

My eldest currently has long-ish hair, but in mid-elementary, he’s old enough to brush it himself and young enough not to care about bedhead.

8. Sticks and stones

Seriously, it doesn’t take much to entertain this crew. Encourage them to find a cool stone or stick in the backyard and I’ve got myself a free afternoon (at least, until someone draws blood…).

9. The chance to raise the kind of men I want to see in the world

When you look around the world, you can easily see how much damage a few selfish, power-hungry men can do in the world. (Apparently, testosterone can have a negative effect on peacemaking.)

When we’re raising two boys (or one, or more), we have the chance to raise the kind of men who will build up the world instead of tearing it down. Men who will live with integrity and treat others with respect and kindness, men who love their families, and men who speak up for those who are less fortunate.

If this resonates with you, I invite you to check out my new book: The Mother and Son Prayer Journal. In it, moms are equipped to pass on their Christian faith to their boys while building relationships with each other.

—Christie Thomas from littleshootsdeeproots.com