Since we have three fairly rambunctious boys and 1 fairly independent girl, I feel pretty qualified to assess the difference between the two sexes. Following is my conclusion so far. Know that I reserve the right to edit, add to and otherwise change my point of view, as we have barely even started the teenage years...
1. Boys come with sound effects. The funniest thing for me and Stacee to do is watch and listen to our boys, Kris included, communicate. They can't get through a paragraph, much less a sentence, without adding noices that would rival a South American jungle during mating season. Stacee, on the other hand, didn't talk unti she was nearly 18 months (late by Smith family standards). She used her face exclusively to communicate - and still does. She's like her mama: all her thoughts run across her face and you can see them in her eyes. It's almost as entertaining watching her have a conversation as it is watching the boys.
2. Boys are perpetually dirty (especially Brennan, our "muck magnet"). It fascinates me that Stacee simply can't stand to have her hands dirty, a speck on her clothes or food on her face, and never could. Conversely, the boys could be covered with any manner of goop, dirt, yuck and mess and think they're ready to go out to dinner and actually come in contact with the public! Sometimes I think that I'll have to actually chisel the stuff off the little boys' hands. I'm relieved to say that A.J. doesn't suffer from this affliction as much any more. There have been times, however, that he comes home from riding his bike with his buddies and he stinks. He can actually clear a room! I guess that's what 14 year-olds do. I can't decide which is worse: the look of being dirty of the smell of it.
3. Girls are harder to raise than boys. Now, it may appear that it's too early to make this assessment, as our one girl is only twelve. We haven't hit the infamous teenage years with her. She hasn't started dating, or loitering at the mall, or texting in the middle of the night, but with nearly a decade and a half of parenting under our belts, I can tell you that she is harder to raise. She costs more money, more time and sometimes, more energy. I realize that all of these things might be related to her personality and not necessarily her gender. Kris and I have found that we worry more about her and certainly want to protect her more. We've found that we've often said we'd rather have one girl and three boys, than three girls and one boy.
I'm certain there will be additions to this list as the years go on, but don't misunderstand me. Our kids and their growing up process fascinates me. It's a testament to the God we serve that four people with individual personalities and characteristics can come into being from the same set of dna. They're all being raised essentially the same way: with lots of sarcasm, millions of hugs and tons of laughter, yet they are so distinctly different. What an awesome miracle Kris and I get to be a part of.
I just hope and pray they still like us when they're parents themselves!
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