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hot topics

Tell us: Gender confusion?

Posted Wednesday, May 28, 2008 10:39 AM

Not sure if it's a trend or just coincidence, but we've seen tons of recent talk about the differences between raising boys and raising girls, and surprise or (gasp!) disappointment about baby's gender.

It started last month, with a study suggesting that moms of boys are more likely to suffer from postpartum depression. Then, we saw this article on Parenting about whether boys or girls are more difficult to raise, and Chicken and Cheese's startlingly honest (and real, thank goodness) reaction to a gender surprise. And most recently, two funny (when considered in tandem) posts at lilSugar and shiso mama about, respectively, that one-of-a-kind relationship between moms and sons... and that one-of-a-kind relationship between moms and daughters.

So, what about you -- got any gender expectations? What was your reaction when you found out the gender, and what's been your experience as a parent? Tell us about it! Then, for more boy/girl fun, kill a few hours (seriously, it happened to more than one of us) playing with our Chinese Gender Predictor.
 

Posted by Paula K
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Comments

re: Tell us: Gender confusion?

Six years ago, I was pregnant with my first baby.  Had the ultrasound and found out it was a girl.  I was slightly disappointed (thought for sure it was a boy!), but  I soon got used to the fact that I was going to have a beautiful daughter.  Fast forward 20 weeks to the delivery...and out comes my beautiful baby BOY.  Quite a surprise to all of us - we'd had a baby shower already, and I had a closet full of pink dresses and ruffle bloomers.

Now - I just had my 4th baby 6 weeks ago...my 4th boy :)  Those little dresses are still packed away waiting to be used...but I don't think they'll be used by me!  We've decided to stop at 4 children, and I am fine with that.  It would have been kind of fun to have a little girl with pigtails running around the house, but I love my boys and wouldn't have it any other way!  :)

Posted by Lamby007    Thursday, May 29, 2008 5:19 PM


re: Tell us: Gender confusion?

This is my first pregnancy. I thought the baby was a boy and found out last week that the wee one who spends the evenings kicking me is in fact a boy. I wouldn't say I am disappointed, maybe surprised (which seems inconsistent with saying I thought it was a boy). He is more of a surprise because he is the first boy baby in the last 20 years in my immediate family (the last four children have been girls, with the last being born about 9 years ago).

I think the basics of raising a decent human being are the same--there are some gender specific things that men tend to be more familiar with and vice versa (last week I asked a male friend if the place we were going had good salads, then realized there was little chance he would know--he admitted he didn't even know if the place had salads at all, let alone good ones...).  On the other hand, crossing the gender expectations can be an advantage for males and females. A man who is more comfortable being empathetic (not pathetic, just caring) is not at a disadvantage, really, if you think about it--he is the man most of us wanted to date and marry (not the jerky, overly stereotypical "male" types)...

Posted by ckadleck    Friday, May 30, 2008 10:35 AM


re: Tell us: Gender confusion?

Well everyone in my family, on both sides, were certain that I was going to have a boy... well the ultrasound says its a girl... and it better be because I have tons of little girl stuff.

What I am scared about are the teenage years!! I just remember how I was when I hit 13 or 14. For the next 4 years me and my mom were constantly yelling at each other... Can't wait!  

Posted by carolynshall    Friday, May 30, 2008 10:52 AM


re: Tell us: Gender confusion?

My husband was so excited. He wanted a boy so he could teach him to play football and baseball. When we found out it was a girl he was quiet at first. Now he has been buying football jersery's and stuff for girls. He is so exited and can't wait for her to come. (this is our first)

Posted by jakeyser    Friday, May 30, 2008 1:17 PM


re: Tell us: Gender confusion?

The Chinese calender was correct with both my daughters.  I only wanted girls, so I would have been upset if I had a boy.  To be honest, my first daughter was 6 weeks early.  My first question was Is it a girl?  Then I hurriedly & said, Is she ok?  I felt terrible, but that is what blurted out.  With girls, my ultra sound techs didn't want to say 100% even though we were pretty sure.  I know if I had a boy, I would have been fine.  I was 19 & 23 when I had my kids though & was a spoiled brat that only wanted little princess ballerinas, lol.  I was lucky enough to get that though :)

Posted by momof2dancers    Friday, May 30, 2008 10:35 PM


re: Tell us: Gender confusion?

Im the youngest girl in my family, the second youngest is 26. out of 16 grand daughters. there are 23 great grandsons. So we accepted it to be a boy. I cryed when i found out we were having a girl. i was so upset i had my hopes up for a girl. but now that we have girl stuff im happy it's a girl. I miss barbies and it's about time we have another girl in the family.

Posted by KymmShi    Wednesday, June 04, 2008 8:55 AM


re: Tell us: Gender confusion?

This is an interesting thread.  I have been wondering if anyone else was feeling anything close to my angst.  I have a 17-year old daughter and now, surprise, I'm pregnant again and they tell me it's a boy!  I'm in a bit of a quandary.  I've never been certain I would know what to do if confronted with a boy full time.  Now, he's going to be here and I must admit to some bafflement.  Ah well, I'll love him nonetheless.  It's just taking some real adjusting for me.  Girls are easy and I saw my aunt handle three small boys simultaneously.  They can be little crazy people!  :-)

Posted by Savaja    Friday, October 31, 2008 11:20 AM


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