Boy oh Boy

As I was lying in bed this morning, the soft gray light of dawn filtering in through the blinds and onto my sleeping boy's little face, I pondered what it means to be a mom of boys.  Yes, there is one girl in the mix, but she's just a contrast to how different it is to mother boys.

Most of you (who I know that read this blog) have at least one, if not many boys.  So I don't need to preach to the choir, but there were a few things that I realized are need-to-know items as a mama to boys.

Batteries should be kept stocked in bulk.  Boys always need batteries.  They seem acutely aware of any battery in the house that is nearing expiration.  Mr. M is constantly petitioning me for new batteries.  And it's a state of emergency if a particular size cannot be found in the house.  It necessitates an immediate run to Target (where he believes batteries are handed out like penny candy).

Screwdrivers of all shapes and sizes need to be on hand at all times.  Particularly the small Phillips screwdrivers to get off those little battery covers that are always needing to be removed (to change the batteries, of course).  

Moms of boys need to become experts in all things mechanical.  Ten years ago I couldn't have told you the difference between a tractor and a skid steer.  Or a bulldozer or a dump truck.  But I know now.  I know all the parts of a jet.  I know the names of the different railway cars.  I no longer see a train.  I see an engine, a flat bed car, an coal car and a caboose.

Richard Scarry books, particularly the Cars and Trucks and Things That Go, need to be in your library.  Probably in duplicate.  We're just getting to point of replacement with our current copy, with its two front covers missing and several pages falling out of the spine.  Oh, and finding the Goldbug?  He's still hard to spot even though I've read the book neigh onto 1,000 times.

Socks?  Impossible to keep track of.  Shoes?  Destroyed after 6 months.  Pants?  Don't even bother saving them past the age of 3.  You don't want you later boys to look like absolute bums all year long (though they make great cutoff shorts if the holes don't go too far up the leg).

Boxes make the best gifts.  And Leggos never go out of style.  Metal cars last forever, but they sure do hurt when they hit your head.

And even boys like to get a kiss from their mom at bedtime (though don't try it at school).

What am I missing?  What insights do you have about mothering boys?