"This conversation keeps happening: Stranger: "So do you know what you're having?" Me: "Yes! It's a girl!" Stranger: "Oh ok. Do you think you'll keep trying for a boy?" Apparently having my second girl was a failed attempt at a boy. I'll be sure to try harder next time."
Even after we found out we were having a girl, we had our own fears.
I got to our first baby shower and had not registered for a single pink thing… but the shower rained down pink on us. Not sure if there was anything that we got that wasn't pink!
Have you ever noticed there is a little negativity toward having a girl or multiple girls? That girls are great, but what you really want is a boy.
I've never been very girly, but I have chosen to embrace being a girl mom and I love it. That doesn't mean that things are all princesses, pink and bows (although there are a fair share of those things). It means that we are embracing what it means to raise a girl with all of its fun and challenges.
{How will we let our little girl know she is beautiful, without encouraging her to find her value from her beauty?}
{How will we teach her to have Godly friendships and not fall into the trap of gossip?}
{How will we teach her the authority of God's Word over the lies of the world around her?}
{How will we show her what it means to be a dad, a mom, a family?}
{How will we encourage her to become a leader, while also teaching her to submit?}
{How will we teach her the value of purity?}
{How will we teach her to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with her God (Micah 6:8)?}
{How will we teach her to taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 38:4)?}
These and more questions overwhelm my call as a girl mom. And honestly, right now I have no idea how we will teach most of things, but I know it will only happen through Christ.
We will have our share of tea parties, but I have a feeling that we will also attend some soccer games. We will play dress up and build with blocks.
One day we will talk about boys (don't tell daddy, he doesn't think this day will ever come).
Girl, you are right on!! I have gotten this comment with each of our daughters. We were actually asked if we would try for more children since we didn't have a boy. We are like, "No! Obviously we've got the girl think down!" It's very rude and inconsiderate! I love having three girls!!
ReplyDeleteI think sometimes people just don't think before they say things! Your girls are precious and you seem like such a wonderful mama to them!
DeleteI love it! You are such a wise woman of the Lord!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sybil... Everyday The Lord us working in my heart
Delete, drawing me to him! :)
Those questions you posted are very real and valid ones. I feel the same way, even though I have 1 boy and 1 girl. These questions could be asked for both genders. Praying that God shines through even when I may fail. :) He will be by our sides and with our children. "The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you: the Lord lift His countenance upon you and give you peace." Num. 6:24-26
ReplyDeleteKirsten, you are completely right! And that is my prayer too… you realize you fail so much asa parent, but luckily it is not on your shoulders… it is all Christ!
DeleteThis is a great post. Those questions should be applied to both genders - and we should always have the goal of leading our children to Christ. I'm not sure why people think they need to ask if you'll try for the other gender, and I think it happens whether you have a boy or a girl. Before my boy was even born someone told me "don't worry, you'll get your girl one day!" I couldn't believe that! I'm embracing having a boy, and if I ever have a girl I'll embrace that too! God gives us what we need and what we can handle at the right time.
ReplyDeleteI agree, it is like they don't think your family is complete unless you have kiddos of both genders!
DeleteOur oldest is a girl and our second was a boy, so we got a lot of "So, you're done now, right?" after he was born. He was followed by another boy and we're expecting our fourth, another girl, now. I think it has more to do with the idea that people think you would only have more than two kids if you're trying to have at least one of each gender.
ReplyDeleteBut I have faced a bit of weirdness with the whole boy vs. girl baby thing, too. I'm not sure where it comes from, but I love having my little girl and cannot wait for another.
I didn't consider myself very girly before my oldest daughter, either, but she's six now, and I can truly say she has made me desire to be more feminine in every way and to even celebrate the fact that God made me female.
Sarah
As I have gotten responses from this post, I have realized that it is just as you say. But I think people are crazy sometimes about the girl verses boy thing. And I totally agree with you, I feel like I have become more feminine as we raise our little girl! Congrats on welcoming your 4th child! So fun :)
DeleteThat phrase "girlmom" makes me think of a pregnant teenager. You're a mom of a girl!
ReplyDeleteIts so sad that so many people are stuck still thinking as though a second girl is a failed attempt at getting a boy.
Haha… I had never thought about it that way… just mimicking the whole "boy mom" phrase!
DeleteI know it is sad, babies are such gifts… no matter if they are a boy or girl!
I'm currently carrying our 3rd girl, and haven't gotten any negative comments about it. But apparently people have asked my husband if he's disappointed. He's always quick to say nope, and that he was already outnumbered anyway, (even the cat is a girl!) so he's completely happy to be getting another girl. I'm the one who was always feeling bad, like I had failed him some way by not giving him a boy. But after being told through 3 pregnancies now, that all he wants is a healthy baby, and *really* wouldn't mind a whole bushel of girls, I finally believe him. :)
ReplyDeleteThat is so great that your husband supports you like that! And three girls, that is a blessing! I keep telling my husband that if we are blessed with another baby, be prepared for another girl! :)
DeleteI feel the same way about being a boy mom! People ask me all the time if I am hoping for a girl next or if I'll try for a third if the next one is another boy. I LOVE having a boy and while I think I would like the experience of mothering both a boy and a girl, I don't think I will mind one bit if I am blessed enough to have another sweet little boy one day! :)
ReplyDeleteI really do think people only think your family is complete when you have a child of both genders. 2 boys is great, 2 girls, I would love that, eve if we are only able to have BD, I just feel overwhelmed by the blessing of raising her!
DeleteI feel ya, girl! We're expecting our 4th girl in August, and we have had you can only imagine how many similar comments about trying for a boy. Of course having more than 2 kids is crazy these days, but 4 girls is insane! As if we had a choice... But the Lord gives us exactly what we need and I believe firmly He grows us through our children. May God bless you as you prepare for your sweet new baby girl! And I love the questions you ask; they are great!
ReplyDeleteSo fun! 4 girl, and 4 sisters… they will love it! And you are completely right. We grow so much through raising our kids!
DeleteThis is a sweet post. My husband and I just had an anatomy sonogram yesterday and found out that the child in my womb is a girl. We're thrilled! Honestly, we didn't have a preference (this is our first). However, people can be so weird about their gender preferences. I'm so glad to hear your take on being the mom of a girl.
ReplyDeleteCONGRATS!!!! So excited for y'all, it is such an adventure you are beginning! :)
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