Musings From A Mother Of Boys
Having been blessed with two sons, I had no clue about the difference between boys and girls. As a mother of boys, I was accustomed to chaos, noise, masses of food on hand, unflushed toilets, grazed knees and elbows and an odd, smelly hug. Our sons were lucky to have 235 square miles of country to call home. There was always machinery, animals, stockmen, and action on a cattle property. It was a matter of dragging them in for a bath and dinner at the end of the day. That is until Correspondence school commenced. This was the downfall of mother, (the teacher), and reluctant pupil, the freedom had gone for the majority of the day. However, life was pretty good until boarding school loomed on the horizon. That’s when the mother of boys fell apart. How I missed the chaos, the noise, the mess and yes, the unflushed toilet!
I found the boys to have simple needs. Why use a tissue when a sleeve will do the job? Their creativity was expressed in complicated roadworks for their matchbox cars and Tonka trucks under the poinciana tree, or irrigation networks using their father’s pipes and taps from the workshop. They could ride a horse, use a gun, ride a motorbike, help in the yards and drive a vehicle at a young age. They both grew into hard working and resilient men.
All too soon it was time to pass the ‘boys’ over to a more important woman in their lives when they maried. Being a mother-in-law is different to being a mother, but I was delighted to have the addition of females into our family.
Our first grandchild was a boy and I slipped into the role of being a grandmother with great pleasure and confidence. Then the joy of a granddaughter. Finally, I had a little girl in my life. I found myself drawn to pink baby clothes, girly books and
pretty toys. I was besotted.
Our family has the perfect balance of three grandsons and three granddaughters. How lucky am I? I discovered history repeating itself with the boys sailing through their days without too many needs, as long as they were fed and taken to where they were meant to be. However, these little girls were something else! They are so smart. I discovered I could be manipulated and controlled by big ‘puppy dog eyes’ to do as they wished. They have standards and don’t necessarily like to be grotty. They do flush the toilet! They don’t eat anything and everything, but are selective in their tastes. They can be sneaky and get away with it because the boys have no idea what is happening, and they are so cute. They love to do craft, art, knitting and anything gentle and creative. I was at a loss to help them with these activities.
Somehow these young grandchildren have grown up. Where did that time go? It was a great joy to be part of our eldest granddaughter’s formal recently. Her brother had left school two years previously. His mother told me that it took half an hour to select his suit, shirt and tie for his big night. Well, that is another difference between the girls and the boys. After hair, make-up and tanning trials, many dressmaking fittings and a mother on the edge of a breakdown, we watched our beautiful girl walking proudly on the red carpet, looking exquisite in her beautiful gown with a smile that would light up a room. How proud and delighted we were to be part of such a special night.
The difference between our two eldest grandchildren is clearly demonstrated in their choice of part time jobs.
William is supplementing his university lifestyle by driving a truck in Brisbane, delivering and picking up Porto-Loos! He must be the best looking ‘Kenny’ in the business.
The beautiful Olivia (in Year 12) works at a local florist. How different can they be?
We still have four to go and I can’t wait.
I’m blessed to have been lucky to have the joy of experiencing both boys and girls as they launch into the next important phase of their lives. However, as the mother of boys I remain intrigued and fascinated as I observe the difference between female and male.
PS These observations are within our family only!
Happy Easter to all, and stay safe.
Jenny Old AUTHOR
‘Innocent Nurses Abroad’
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