I am the mother of girls, and I love it! When I conceived a second time I was hoping for a boy, but once I found out I was having another girl, I got on board quickly. I also have a step-daughter, so in total that’s three little girls running around, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I have many friends who only have sons. I hear their stories and see descriptions of little boys on social media and television. There’s certain stereotypes that the majority of little boys fill, and these characteristics make them a handful to say the least.
In all the descriptions of little boys I’ve noticed something. When I see articles toting the wild antics of little boys, I think, gee, that’s little girls too!
I don’t have a son as of yet, but as a mommy to a gaggle of girls I have to say that my little ladies could hang with those boys seven days a week and twice on Sunday. While my girls are as sweet as the day is long, and they have a gentleness that makes them all female, there’s a lot of toughness and grit in little girls that could rival that of little boys.
Here’s a few examples:
Being Rowdy. Boys are typically known for their high energy levels and general wild behavior and actions. So I already mentioned I don’t have boys, and maybe some of you will disagree, but I think my girls can act just as crazy as any boy on his worst day.
My girls are sleep ninjas first off. They can elude a nap with the stealth of a Navy Seal on a mission to the death. Most days they act like they just snorted a Pixie Stick, and I often just have to turn them outside before they destroy what’s left of my sanity. I do that in the warmer weather. In the winter I’m forced to dress them in outfits fashioned out of bubble wrap and let them jump from the top of the bookshelves onto a sea of sofa cushions. Or something like that.
Getting dirty. Boys are renowned for getting dirty, but I don’t know if it’s possible to use anymore stain remover for my girl’s clothes than I already do. While the oldest wipes her mouth with her sleeve, the youngest child makes a point to sit in mud puddles. And the middle child, well, stains and dirt just magically appear on her clothes and face.
Seriously, she can spend all day strapped to a chair with no human, or otherwise, interaction whatsoever, and at the end of the day the bath water would be brown.
Bugs. You see pics of little boys carrying around frogs and bugs, but as a former little girl myself, I’m here to tell you, girls like bugs too! I always played with bugs, frogs, and snakes as a child, and my girls are no exception.
My three year old has her own little “bug hut” where she captures and contains caterpillars and other insects. In fact, every day this week she’s snuck lightening bugs into her room. Those are fun to catch and release at bedtime.
Sibling rivalry. Boys are known for being competitive especially with their own brothers, but I’m not sure if any group of brothers could match the epic battles between my daughters. Their plots to overthrow the other from my lap can only be matched by their ability to tattle on one another. When they kiss and hug at the end of the day I almost choke on my own astonishment. I guess their devotion to one another overshadows their rivalry. But when they fight, watch out. Which leads to…
Fighting. Little boys are known for roughhousing and wild brawls, but I can’t imagine it being any worse than the well-placed kicks and punches I see land around here. Even the toddler holds her own, pushing and slapping when her sisters get in her way.
When it comes to a favored toy or the best spot on my lap, it’s WWE up in here. I get so tired of being the ref.
Appetites. Little boys are often called bottomless pits due to their ability to eat and eat and eat. Well, I’m of the opinion that if we put my girls up against boys in a eating contest, my girls would win hands down. My three year old weighs a whopping 38 pounds, but she can polish off three hotdogs in one sitting. No joke.
The two eldest can be picky eaters, but give them something they like and you have to make them quit. Macaroni and cheese or spaghetti? They’ll eat 2-3 adult sized portions. Then they’ll ask for dessert. And of course they’re so skinny if they turn sideways they become invisible. Ahhh, to be young.
Yep, this kid eats three hotdogs for lunch.
Playing with privates. Yes, I saved the best for last. Little boys are well-known for playing with their private parts. They jerk, tug, make it dance, and just generally keep check that it hasn’t gone anymore. Before I had kids I thought this was strictly a boy thing, but it is not.
While I’m not sure if girls actually surpass boys in holding their genitals, I can say girls do this too, and a lot more than I care to admit. Just like how a little boy explores his jewels, so does a little girl investigate her treasure chest.
Little girls are curious just like boys and may wonder, “What is this thing for anyway? I wonder what I can hide in there?” And yes, they stick their hand down there just to make sure it hasn’t closed up or anything.
So sugar and spice? You betcha. Plenty of spice. But when it comes down to it, kids have more in common than we even realize. Girls, boys. I think kids in general are rowdy, rambunctious little things, no matter the gender. They are so very different, but deep down, they’re just the same.
Sherry Evans says
Your girls are absolutely adorable!!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you! I think so. Haha.
Rachel Huwe says
I’m right there with you. Little girls can hold their own & keep right up or ahead of the little boys. Granted I finally have a little boy to go w/ my two girls. If it weren’t for his sisters he’d be bored. They love bugs, you never can get messy enough, dirt is awesome, my kids eat more than horses & hippos, they all enjoy a good game of chase and tackle, & well privates are a continual exploration and questioning cycle. Now if only the Mommies could keep up w/ the kids; we’d be getting some where. Let me clarify, I can keep up w/ them on the eating part. That’s a/b it.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks Rachel. It will be interesting to see the gender of my next one.