When I was pregnant with my first son, I shared the news with a real estate agent who helped us purchase our home. Her remark, “Having a boy first is better; it gets that out of the way,” left me puzzled. I interpreted this as a suggestion that boys might be viewed as less desirable. I smiled politely, unsure how to respond. The reality is that the sex of your baby often invites unsolicited opinions from others, regardless of the circumstances.
My Aunt Linda echoed the sentiment of my realtor, stating, “It’s beneficial to have a boy first so he can protect his younger sisters.” This comment might serve as a humorous twist for anyone writing a play about my life.
Fast forward two years, and I was pregnant with my second son. We had moved from Boston to Georgia, and upon meeting up with our realtor again, she expressed her happiness for us but followed with, “I wish you were having a girl this time. That would make it perfect.” I sensed a familiar undertone of disappointment from people around me when we announced this baby was another boy. “Are you going to keep trying until you have a girl?” was a common question, as if two boys were just a minor hurdle.
When the ultrasound technician informed us we were having our third son, she shared a peculiar insight: mothers of three boys are granted a special place in heaven. I’m still unsure what that entails—perhaps a peaceful sanctuary where bathroom breaks are uninterrupted? Maybe even unicorns.
During a lunch with my mother, I confided that I was feeling content with having only boys. Her response was tinged with sympathy: “The downside of not having a girl is that daughters tend to be closer to their mothers as they grow up.” Thanks for that, Mom. I’m doing my best to foster a loving bond with my boys, hoping to create a connection that rivals that of mothers and daughters.
After revealing the gender of baby number four to my mom, she said, “Well, Aunt Linda said to call her if it’s a girl…” It seems that fourth boys lack the same excitement as a potential girl.
By the time we reached baby number four, people had come to terms with the fact that I wouldn’t magically produce a girl. They were mostly astonished that we were having a fourth child at all, given the prevailing notion that after two boys, you’re only allowed one more attempt for a girl.
Now that our family consists of four boys, people often act as if this aspect of my life is the most intriguing thing about me. Their reactions are consistently astonished, followed by the exclamation, “FOUR boys?!” as if that encapsulates everything.
For the record, our decision to expand our family was never solely about trying for a girl. While I would have welcomed a daughter, any regrets about not having one are superficial—akin to wishing we had seen more movies before becoming parents or indulging in too many sweets. My boys are incredible, and I have no doubt that daughters would have been equally wonderful had I been blessed with them. By the time I was expecting my third child, I had adopted a more relaxed perspective; babies are just babies. Wanting a girl felt like hoping for a child with red hair—nice if it happened, but not a huge disappointment if it didn’t. In fact, I probably would have spent a significant portion of our grocery budget on clothing if I had a girl, so perhaps this outcome is for the best.
Rest assured, we are not planning to keep trying for a girl. We are quite content with our family as it is, and I’m ready to embrace this chapter of our lives.
If you’re interested in learning more about family planning and related topics, don’t hesitate to explore resources like Intracervical Insemination. For more information on enhancing fertility, consider visiting Make a Mom. If you’re seeking support around pregnancy, check out Drugs.com for excellent resources.
In summary, while society often has a lot to say about the gender of your baby, it’s essential to remember that every child brings unique joy and fulfillment, irrespective of gender.