As bloggers we have a voice, it can be one that helps or one that hurts. Many times bloggers intentionally create content that will stir controversy. As they say, “any publicity is good publicity.” Blog comments are gold and outrageous posts can go viral and create enormous traffic.
Yesterday, there was a post and I will not reference it with a link, I truly believe it needs no further attention. It created a bit of outrage as the blogger posted how she was so happy she would never have a son. The post was a list of reasons why, from not having to talk about penises to pee on the bathroom floor. At the end there was a call to action for all mothers who were happy to be “son free” to comment.
It was pretty bad and I found zero humor in it. I was not alone judging by the two hundred or so comments that called her out. Many said that since she just has one child, a girl, who has not hit puberty, she has no idea what she is talking about. Most of the people commenting had children of both sexes and still found her post highly offensive. As a mother of both sexes, I found it offensive, a tad bitter, and not at all humorous. I openly pointed this out both on the site and on her personal Facebook page where she posted a link to the article. I just found it to be something totally unnecessary and created to draw attention, albeit negative to herself and her post.
Normally, I ignore this stuff, but could not help commenting on such a derogatory post toward sons. She also has no experience to speak, all she knows is being the mother of a daughter. That’s all she knows, she can “know of boys” but that is not the same as being a mother to a son. When I pointed this out, she responded that having grown up with a brother and being married to a man she was more or less qualified to give her opinion.
I grew up with 3 brothers, I’m married to a man and it’s no way close to holding your newborn son for the first time. It’s an entirely different experience from parenting a daughter and a bond that is nothing at all the same. Not saying one is better or worse, as all children are miracles and I am thankful to be the mother of both sexes. However, being the mother of a son is not all about penises,pee on the bathroom floor or circumcision. Not all parents have to go “round and round” over the cut or uncut issue either. Let me tell you my experience of being the mother of a son.
It is the birth of a protector
It is a handful of dandelions delivered in a dirty hand
It is the little treasures he brings you because he loves you
It is the laughter you share over your adventures
It is the sparkle in his eye when he introduces you to all his preschool friends because you are his world.
It is the way he snuggles when you are reading to him
It is all the times he asks what things were like when you were a kid
It is about his endless collection of super hero costumes that he wears 24/7
It is about how much the younger sons look up to their older brothers
It is about pride so huge when you see them stand up for what they believe in
It is how your heart swells when others tell you what great young men they are or how they helped someone
It is the pride you have when you see the man he is becoming
It is about the ability to build them up to be the best men they can be
It is imagining what it will be like when they become husbands and fathers
It is about hoping you don’t cry but knowing you will when you dance with them at their wedding
It is about holding on and letting go
It is about all of this and so much more.
Thank God I was blessed to be the mother of four sons.
