The Great Gender Debate
Which is harder to raise, boys or girls? If you ask a person who has both, you might get a list of why each sex has its own complications and positive aspects. In my opinion, the boys are harder on my energy level. The girls, however, are more emotional and dramatic, which grates on my nerves more than any boyish habit. Mothers and fathers of teenagers, may offer a completely different viewpoint, since they have to factor in raging hormones and the like. While I’m sure there will never be a definite answer to my question, it would be really interesting to hear the arguments for both sides. So…who’s it gonna be? Sound off in the comments section (and remember to keep things friendly!)
Neither. We have 5 boys and 3 girls. Between the ages of 14-16 for boys and 12-14 for girls is challenging but the rest of the time they are delightful. And that is not tongue in cheek. My 12 year old and I are getting through her rough patch by making quilts together. Hard to argue with a needle in your hand..
With boys the trick is to keep them active. Chopping wood, weeding, riding bikes, climbing trees..they need to burn off the extra testosterone.
With girls the trick is to keep their eyes on others. Serving at church, making cookies for elderly neighbors, get them involved in helping others and it makes them less likely to be self involved.
I have two boys and my best friend has two girls roughly the same ages. We have this debate all the time. It seems that boys are more difficult to coral into calm scenarios and more difficult to keep physically safe, but from what I’ve seen girls seem to be emotionally exhausting. There also seems to be more worry about helping girls manuever through the little girl social network. It seems a little more simple for boys – although the social thing is important it is just a tad less delicate.
Also, I cannot imagine trying to fit hair bows, pony tails, her opinion and matching socks into our morning routine.
Once I have babies, I pray for the strength to get thro either