I don’t speak the language of “boy.”
And considering that I’m female, it should make perfect sense as to why I don’t (or can’t for that matter).
But as the mother of two young sons, speaking “boy,” is what I must learn to do. Whether I understand it or not, it’s the one obstacle that this mom (points finger at self), must set out to conquer.
Geez…and I thought learning Spanish was hard?!
You see, from the moment my boys entered this world, I could tell that something was definitely different about them. They were entranced by anything that moved, and seemingly developed a passion for cars, trains and planes (almost immediately). These little guys also possessed more energy in the knuckle of their left pinky finger(s) than yours truly contained in her whole body. But as they’ve continued to grow, and milestone after sweet milestone has been realized, there’s no doubt that my boys have also become wilder, a bit crazier, and louder than I ever thought possible. They wrestle, run, scream, jump, and go totally nuts whenever they get the chance. My sons never seem to slow down.
And yet, this is how God created them to be.
As mothers we have been given this awesome responsibility (along with our spouses and extended family members) of raising the next generation of men. Our little boys will one day inherit the daunting task of leading their own wives, children, families, careers, and even this great nation of ours into the future. But as their moms, often times we’re puzzled by their actions, mannerisms, and their lack of focus too. They fidget a lot, and fight to pay attention just as much. Boys hear things differently, interpret things otherwise, and have a thought process that seems to be nowhere near our own. It’s the way they were designed, and how they were hard-wired. In basic terms: it’s simply what they were made to do. It’s their language, and as their caretakers, God has entrusted us to respect their differences, love them unconditionally, and guide them accordingly.
Sons are a heritage from the LORD; children a reward from Him.
Yep, that inherent craziness these little guys have can only mean that our sons are preparing for what lies ahead, and will become (as this mother can only hope and pray), the honorable young men that God truly envisioned them to be.
So even though we may not understand their need to run around the house like mad men, or the desire to crash their toys into any/all household structures, we do need to realize that our boys were indeed wonderfully and fearfully made by the same Creator who molded us for our intended purpose(s) as well.
It’s time for us moms to break the language barrier, embrace our boys, and start speaking their native tongue.
How about you? What do you find to be most difficult in the language barrier between mother and son?
Author Bio:
Jenny Lee Sulpizio, M.S. is an author, wife, and Christian mom of three very active children who’s slightly crazed (and maybe a little “koo-koo”), when it comes to raising her kiddos right (as in manner-possessing, respectful, little tikes). Currently represented by The Seymour Agency, Jenny is set to release her Women’s Christian, Non-Fiction ode for all moms titled, The Confessions of a Wonder Woman Wannabe, due out in the Fall of 2013 by Leafwood Publishers. Jenny has also penned two children’s picture books: There’s Just Something About a Boy (Ajoyin, 2011), and Mommy Whispers (Isaac, 2010).
Please feel free to locate Jenny (via social media) or through her website: www.jennysulpizio.com.
Love this post, Jenny! I have a daughter and a son, and they couldn’t be more different. My girl is introspective and even keeled. She’s patient and loving, but reserved. My small son’s a bundle of energy (seriously, he can. not. walk. Just run.), and that passion for life goes into his emotions, too. He does everything fully and completely, whether that’s giving me a hug or building a LEGO city. And when he’s joyful, his whole face splits into a glorious grin. But the flipside of that is an offhand remark or laughter that he thinks is “at” rather than “with” can crush him. This can be challenging for me to respect, especially when he says things such as “We’re like two pees in the potty, Mama,” instead of “two peas in the pod.”
Did this ever hit the nail on the head!!??? Our older 2 are girls and they are different in some ways but they have a lot of the same traits and of course I “get” them because they are girls. But, when our oldest son came along.!! OH MY!! Life was busy busy, always into something and it always looked like a tornado had hit!! But, he was so cuddly and loving until he was about 3 and then he was ALWAYS up his daddy’s butt!! lol!! I carried him for 9 months fed him another 9 months and then slowly I became 2nd place in his heart. Daddy was numero UNO!! Then surprise…. we were blessed with our other son. He was more of the Momma’s boy, of course everyone was a lot older and they had lives to attend to. So he was my little buddy and still is most of the time. HE IS STILL BOY!! And God reminds me quite often that the reason that I had 3 younger brothers was so that I would be able to handle the “boy” in them. Oh, do I have days I could just scream, yell, love, hug, YES!! But, there are days that I don’t think I will ever “get” them. Minds of their own, and they rarely think things through. They just DO! One is 15 and he and I butt heads quite often, but he will still come and lay on my bed and talk at bedtime, and the other is 7 and I think I will just have to cuddle up with him (or hold him down) until he figures out that its not cool to love on me….lol! I wouldn’t trade any of the crazy boyness for anything~! Dirt and all!
Piper´s last [type] ..It’s Going to Be a Great Day!
The need to make accompanying noises with every conversation. ( ;
Heather@Creative Family Moments´s last [type] ..Our Annual Backwards Day
Great post. I have grown girls, but I’m writing a book with a 10-year-old boy’s POV in it, so I’ll be back.
My boys will make any stick into a gun, and know the make, type, and country that has the original.
My boys have two speeds: faster and sleeping.
My boys have to be reminded, several times, that “wash” implies using soap AND water.
My boys want to take care of me yet wonder why I freak out when that means cooking in the kitchen with electrical appliances.
My boys think that “clean up the front room” means to pick their stuff up from the floor and put it on the couch and coffee table.
My boys think that “pick things up, move things around, and you will find it” means to help me out of my chair and move me towards the last place they saw the lost item.
My boys are helping me with my patience issues by giving me a reason to be loving instead. I’m a work in progress but they love me anyway.
Jackie Ryan Masek´s last [type] ..Totally ADD
I couldn’t agree more with Jackie Ryan Masek’s response! Four boys living, growing, and learning together makes for lots of fun, fights, and noise! I couldn’t love them more for all their budding manliness! My daughters and I don’t understand them, but I suspect my boys are also teaching us to be better girls/women.
Oh, Jenny. That was lovely.
Sweet post! I have girls and was told years ago they were easier to raise than boys but I don’t know about that!
Sonya´s last [type] ..When a Dream Comes True
Great subject, Jenny! I couldn’t agree more. Being the mother of 3 amazing sons there is a way to to relate and have fun while building a strong bond. I feel very blessed to have a great relationship with my boys.
As a mom of 6 boys…this post really touched me. I spend too much time, it seems, trying to make them learn my “language” “BE STILL” “DON’T BE SO LOUD” QUIT MAKING SUCH BIG MESSES” DO YOU HAVE TO BE SO VIOLENT?” But, this is how God created them to be, so that when they become men, leading their own families, they will be able to “crash their cars” into the hard times that they will need to lead their families through…”speak loudly” enough to be heard and respected, “make their messes” as they play with their children…”fight their violent wars” to keep their wives and children safe from all that is out there that could harm them. But not only for their families, but for the weak that cannot stand up for themselves. God created them to be warriors…and I must learn to speak “warrior language” so I will not put out the fire that God has built in their hearts. Yes…my house is noisy, messier than I want it to be, but, it’s my house, and I am so thankful for the boys that God has given me.
Thank you to everyone for your wonderful comments regarding this post, and a huge “shout-out” to the MOB Society for featuring it. Raising boys is a special treat in and of itself and watching our sweet sons grow is such a gift, whether we understand them or not. I feel blessed by my boys and look forward to what the future holds for them.
Blessings to you all,
Jenny Lee Sulpizio
Jenny Lee Sulpizio´s last [type] ..Buh-Bye to Summer
LOVE this comment. mAde me cry.
So honors to have two boys along with my girl.
Love this! Raising my boys (7 and 8) is the hardest job I’ve EVER taken on. It’s also the most rewarding and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
After I adjusted to all the violence and noise and motion and energy and mess…
I still struggle with the body humor. Why are all those noises and smells so funny? (eye roll)
susan´s last [type] ..Really, who’s the boss?
As a mom of two boys, I can totally relate! What a wonderful post, Jenny!
Awesome read. ty
Hi Jenny!
But I think to some extent we need to meet them where they are…learn their language so we can guide them in a way they can understand. I’m so glad to read your post and find I’m not alone in this!
I love this post, because I’m a mom of two very sweet, but crazy active boys. I always say God gave me boys to balance me out because I’m such a girly-girl. =) And balance me they have! I never imagined I’d be laughing at potty humor or know every word to “Yoda” by Weird Al.
Shoot, I’m such a tomboy, and I still can’t understand my two boys! I try to set aside times for them to be crazy and times for them to keep it under wraps. But I’ve gotten a little away from that, so this is the perfect reminder to get back on track. Thank you. Don’t want to squash what God wants from them as men that seems to need to be like this while they’re still in small packages.
My 2 year old son has recently developed an interest in construction equipment. I thought they were all bulldozers until we checked out a book from the library. I have had to learn the difference between wheel loaders and excavators, bulldozers and dump trucks just to keep up with my 2 year old. I can only imagine what boy stuff I will have to learn as he grows up!
Melanie @ Raise A Boy´s last [type] ..Some science behind play