Boy's Mom

I hate to admit it, but lately, I have been struggling to be a "boys mom." I know that's an odd thing to say since I've been a boy's mom for 4 1/2 years now. But lately, I look at my little boys and see aliens. As adorable as they are, little boys are so different from anything I have ever known.

I don't know exactly how it happened, but I was raised in a family of women. I have close bonds with the women in my family, but the men weren't around much and they certainly were not a significant part of my life.

So here I am, the lone female in a house full of testosterone and I find myself lost. All I've ever known is girl stuff. This crazy, energetic, jump off the furniture because you think you can fly, stick spaghetti up your nose because you think it is funny, beat your brother up because you want to practice your punches, world is so foreign to me.

Did you know that Spiderman and Superman are not on the same team? That Lex Luthor can't fight Captain America but can fight Superman or Batman? I just learned all the names of Thomas' friends and now there are dozens of superheroes with complicated relationships that I have to figure out. There's also Nascar, Rescue Heroes, dinosaurs and sports. Who can keep up with all that?

Max is still into things I can understand. Right now his world revolves around the zoo and farm animals. But he's right there on the threshold of boyhood and his brother ushers him deeper into that world every day.

My saving grace is both of my boys are snugglers now and I am a world class snuggler. My favorite time of day is when they crawl up into my lap for a good snuggle. Most of the time, I let them stay as long as they want.

I'm grateful for my little boys and they crazy things the do. I know it's a part of who they are and I love that. For me, the bottom line is I want to be a part of their world, even when I don't know how. It looks like it might be time for some personal growth.

Anyone have an encyclopedia of superheroes?


Luke playing Rescue Heroes. Yes, I know they never have clothes on. They always start out with clothes, but by the end of the day, this is usually what we've got.

Luke's so proud of his muscles.

Max is showing his feminine side, cooking in camouflage.

Luke is pretending to be the Statue of Liberty here. I'm not really sure why.