My little girl turned 7 yesterday. And for some reason I am insanely emotional about it! Before yesterday night we sat on the carpet in her room before bed time and had a little ‘my baby’s growing up’ talk. I of course got all choked up but no way in hell was I going to show J because she would have looked at me as if I was insane I assure you. S would have totally sympathized and probably shed a tear or two himself.

J has always had the reputation of being a tough girl. But out of all my children she is, by far, the most considerate and caring. She always thinks of everyone else before herself. Having said that she will always make sure she has an equal share. I truly admire her.

It’s funny I always imagined I would have a lot of girls. Probably because a lot of girls is what I know and what I grew up with. But God gave me one girl and I was so unsure of how only one girl on her own would be. I still am unsure. It’s foreign to me. I grew up sharing a room with my sisters till I was 15. We borrowed clothes from each other. Fought like mad. Hated going out with each other. Told secrets to each other. Protected each other. And I always imagined only sisters could do that.

Honestly I also had an alterior motive to wanting girls. I felt like they would be the ones who stayed close to me even after they have gotten married and had children. They would make sure their kids would visit Mama B. They would make time in their days for me. Why I have this idea that girls will and boys won’t is beyond me because my brother spends just as much (if not more) time, one on one, with my mother as we do.

My husband also thinks this logic is flawed because he comes from a family of mostly boys who see their parents on almost a daily basis even if it’s only for 5 minutes. He never understood the concern I have and frankly neither do I after writing this all down. I just relaxed that subconsciously I am expecting less of the boys than I am of my daughter. Why? Is it because they are ‘men’ and ‘men’ can do what they want (I am mortified by this though but there is a high possibility this is where it came from!).

Why shouldn’t my sons spend time with me and take care of me when I am old? Why am I not expecting the same? My husband certainly is! It’s time for a change in my subconscious so 123 here we go I am expecting just as much from S B and K and I am of J. In fact I will expect nothing of her and everything of them! Sha6a7t? Bit much? Ok will expect the same.

Do you expect less of your sons when it comes to family obligations?