15 Comments
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Amy's avatar

I loved this! It’s such an honor to raise a little boy to grow up to be a strong and compassionate man! I’m still in the early years with my son but already there’s so much I’m learning on and thinking about 💗

Helena 'Ellie' Huizenga's avatar

It really is, Amy! Sending so much support as you raise your little one too!

Amy's avatar

Thank you!

Mindful Mama Memos's avatar

Thank you for sharing. I am trying for a second and think I’m destined to be a boy mum. Gender disappointment is hard but I feel now I have a boy I know I can connect although he’s young and I’m worried about when he’s older. Congrats on your second

Helena 'Ellie' Huizenga's avatar

100%, the second time around I didn’t feel much gender disappointment at all because I knew how wonderful it was to have a son now 😊

Mindful Mama Memos's avatar

It’s totally valid either way but I really relate. If I fall pregnant soon we will see - maybe the mother daughter sadness will resurface

Jenny J's avatar

After having a little girl first, I definitely had a bit of disappointment and similar worries when I found out my second was a boy. It's so refreshing to read something that doesn't brush those worries away but really considers how we and society think about boys & men. Thank you for sharing this☺️

Helena 'Ellie' Huizenga's avatar

Thank you for sharing, Jenny! Congrats on your two little ones! One of the coolest/best parts for me was that it made me face the gender assumptions I didn’t even know I had. I’m finding that so much growth comes with motherhood. And I’m so grateful for it!

Jenny J's avatar

Thank you! So true - I think we should all care and want to address these things regardless of our children, but motherhood really does help to highlight our assumptions or biases!

Helena 'Ellie' Huizenga's avatar

One thousand percent 😊

Demita Forward's avatar

Ellie, this is such a beautiful and honest reflection! I’m a boy mom too, my two sons are adults now and reading your words brought me right back to those early days.

As they grow, that love doesn't just stay, it transforms into something so unreasonably strong and proud that words truly can’t capture it, just when you think you couldn’t love them any more than you already do!

Seeing the men they become is the greatest reward for every wrestle and train set today. Congratulations on your newest little boy! 🤎

Helena 'Ellie' Huizenga's avatar

Thank you! And so so wonderful to hear how your experience has been even more fulfilling as they continue to grow up! 💕

JBrown's avatar

I love this post! I think parents-to-be and parents of early aged children would benefit from your words.

Mindful Mama Memos's avatar

I wanted to add my husband and his mother, and my aunt and son share a beautiful bond. They communicate well. It can be done. There might be a hump in teen years but that happened for girls too

Helena 'Ellie' Huizenga's avatar

This makes me so hopeful!! Thank you for sharing ❤️❤️