It Takes A Village - Life, Love and Hiccups

It Takes A Village... to raise a child. So, I'm asking bloggers, and in this case friends, from my village to each write a message for me to pass on to my girls. If you'd like to write one, let me know.

This week's letter is from the stunning Sonia who blogs about her life raising three boys and her love for vodka over at Life, Love and Hiccups. It's like we are living very similar lives. Except I have girls and prefer gin. 

Hi Girls,

Your mother has kindly allowed me to share some wisdom with you that will hopefully help you as you navigate your way through this adventure called life.

I’ll be honest with you; I know nothing about raising little girls, apart from the fact that I once was one myself a very, very long time ago. But boys? Well that’s a subject I could curl up on your bedroom floor and giggle and gossip with you for hours.

You see, I am very blessed to have three of the little blue kind and no I am not talking about Smurfs. I am talking about three little boys, made up of snips and snails and puppy dog tails as opposed to little girls who we all know are made of sugar and spice and all things nice.

And though at this age you probably think boys are all stinky and dirty (and you really are not far off the mark) I can promise you that under all that dirt and boy germs there are also so many lovely things nice too.

What I want to give you girls is the gift of understanding why boys can be so annoying at times, just so, you know, you kind of get where they are coming from and you might even choose to go a little easy on them from time to time.

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When boys do really silly things like call you weird names and try and flick boogers at you, nine times out of ten it’s because they like you. I know, I know, they sure do have a strange way of showing their affection at times. Get used to it girls, they never really grow out of it.

·       Though they sometimes put on a tough act on the outside, boys are really just all marshmallow on the inside. They cry too, but many think they aren’t supposed to show those tears to anyone but Mum. Don’t ever laugh at a boy's tears, the fact that you are seeing them means they trust you enough to share them with you.

·       Boys like to do a lot of the same stuff that girls do, like make dances up and put on shows at home. They too can often be found practicing their moves in front of a mirrored wardrobe, but they would rather die than have you know about that.

·       A lot of the boys you meet will like to show off. It’s silly and immature and sometimes incredibly frustrating to be around, but again it’s their way of making sure you notice them.  Be patient, they usually wear out …. eventually.

·       Remember that fairy-tale your Mum has most likely told you about how the Princess kissed a frog and it turned into a prince? Well whilst I don’t suggest you go around smacking one on every literal toad you see, there is an element of truth to that tale. It’s just that the frog is often the quiet little shy boy who wanders the playground on his own. Offer him a smile and a friendly face to chat to and you just watch that little boy turn into the most wonderful Prince who will always keep a look out for you as you both grow up.  Whilst it may not be a case of true love that blooms, it almost certainly will be a beautiful friendship.

·       Little boys and big boy’s hearts are fragile under all that toughness. Be gentle with that heart for though it may not be the one that you want to keep forever, somewhere, someday it will be the most treasured thing to another girl so you must pass it on in the best possible condition when you have finished with it.

·       When you grow up, be patient with your boyfriend or husband's mother. It’s hard for them to let go of their little boys and to accept that another woman is just as important in their lives as they are. And when that boyfriend or husband's Mum says she is bagsing Christmas at her house like for the next 50 years, she is only half kidding.

So, there you have it beautiful girls, a little insider knowledge from someone who spends pretty much all of her time trying to understand the way boys work.

I am sure one day in the future you will discover for yourself the joy of finding that one special Prince. Until then try and be patient with the frogs and whatever you do, don’t tell them I let you in on their secrets. Pinky Swear?

Xxx Lots of love and fairy-tale wishes.

Sonia

Sonia blogs over at Lifeloveandhiccups.blogspot.com where she writes about life, love and the everything in between. The everything in between frequently includes tales of the highs, the lows and the sometimes epic fails as she navigates life as a mum to three little boys, a wife to one very patient man, and juggles her devotion to her two other great loves - shopping and vodka.