When shopping for a friend's shower down aisles of soft blankets and color coordinated pacifiers I can't help thinking of all the other items she'll need. Ones she had no idea belonged on that baby registry, but really should have been, especially if the baby happens to be a little boy. I've never had the guts to fill a blue-cellophane-lined basket with things like these. Most people don't get three, four, six boys in a row, but if you have, you know what I'm talking about. Oh, do you know!
So here it is:
My "Very Good Baby Shower Gifts for Mothers of Boys" list.1. Wall Spackle. The best kind is like this, in a nice little squeeze tube. For easy, frequent repairs.2. Stud-finder. Because if it goes on a wall, it needs to be in a stud with a 2" screw. Curtain rods, wall hooks, TP holders, pictures. Trust me, just find the studs.3. Goof-off. 'Nough said. Removes just about everything but permanent marker which is sadly, quite permanent.4. Wax rings. You know, for when you've been searching for the toothbrush for five minutes and your toddler wonders aloud whether it might be in the toilet still. And the sluggish flush suddenly makes a lot of sense. Always keep at least two of them. And maybe a snake.5. Compression dressings. For head lacerations, of which you'll have plenty. They bleed like crazy and are usually in places where band-aids won't go, like hair. I like to use a narrow ace wrap to hold a pad of gauze in place. It frees your hands for comforting, and cleanup.6. Tweezers. Splinters.7. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Insects and Spiders. It's just better to know their names. Trust me. As in, "Isaac, just where do you think you're going with that sweet little root borer?" Lends dignity to a discussion. (I'm really, really glad we don't live in Indonesia with guys like these. Really glad.)
8. Magnifying glass, durable. Bug jars, plastic, with screw tops. If they made ones with child locking tops, it would be even better.9. Hot Wheels cars. Never met a boy, or man come to think of it, who could pass them by.10. Sturdy rubber boots and a Superman cape. And maybe a set for the boy.
*photo of duck by -mrsraggle-, shared with permission to use on flickr.
8 comments:
Hysterical!
I've read your blog for quite a while now as a lurker, but I had to comment on this one. :) First off, you have a beautiful family! I nannied for two different all-boy families in college, and I've always been fascinated by the all-male set. :) We have one boy so far, a one year old, and my goodness is he different than our girl. I am shocked at how much more destructive/inquisitive/mischievous he is than our daughter. :) Blessings to your family!
Good to know, Faith! I will keep this list handy. Hope you are doing well!
I just found your blog today, and I love it! My husband and I have three boys (as well as a new baby girl) and this post made me laugh so much! Thank you.
Hi Margaret and Hannah, yes we are doing well - ramping up to start school next week, which feels wrong with the weather so hot still, but it's not cooling down till October so it's not like we're doing much else but basking in front of the AC. How are you?
Welcome Bubbles and Mindy. Yes, boys are wired way differently. Some more than others, but I grew up in a family of four girls and a boy, and my own six boys just approach life so differently than my sisters or I ever did. It's not bad, but you kind have to learn to embrace the destruction and relabel it as "science". The first time at least. We call it "vandalism" after that. :) Boys are great!
I'm doing well. Keeping pretty busy this summer---catching up on some reading, projects at home, working some and spending time with friends. We miss you guys up here! When do you think you'll be in town next?
Yeah...I still haven't quite come to terms with the destructiveness. Maybe one of these days!
I stumbled on your blog while reading Mama Bug's. We have three boys (5,3 and 2) and God just gave us a daughter. Whoa! What a difference! But we would have been thrilled to have many, many sons and who knows? Maybe we still will. Anyway, this list is hysterical!! We can totally relate in our house!
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