Okay. I need to vent. I was actually asked this question by a live person the other day, when I shared that I had three children, two daughters and a son, I was asked whether I liked parenting the girls or my son better. After staring blankly and processing the question, I was able to answer with what I would like to think was a little grace and trying to hide any scorn or judgment in my voice. I just explained that I love and adore all my children and I didn’t “want” any particular genders and feel like they are all glorious gifts. Maybe it sounds a little sappy, but that is how I feel…
Now, I know that there are those who DO have a preference and who confess to really “wanting” a girl or a boy. I just was never like that. And, especially now that they are hear (and have been for nearly two decades), I feel like we were meant to be a family and I couldn’t imagine it being any different. To be honest, I find that the differences in parenting my children have more to do with their individual personalities than the gender of each child.
I remember years ago when my son was born, several people looking at our little family and saying things like, “Well, now you’ve got your boy!” I admit I was just as confused and slightly offended then as I was the other day. I wasn’t “holding out” for a boy and gender/sex just never figured into my parenting plans. If I would have had my way, I would have had a dozen kids regardless and a fabulous hodge podge of sex/gender/personalities. So, for future reference, I don’t have any favorites; I don’t find it harder or easier to parent/love/appreciate/enjoy any of my children and it has been a grand blessing, challenge, and adventure regardless.
Also: Using Your Kids to Live Out Your Dreams
What Not to Say to a Single Parent on a Date