hearing these two things specifically:

1) I just can’t do anything! This often come from people with ONE child…they can’t bathe, cook dinner, go out, etc. And yet, how come those of us with MORE than one child seem to get it done? No, I don’t have outside help, though at this point I don’t think my husband would be opposed to hiring someone to come in and clean a few times a year. (I admit it…I am not the best housekeeper in the world, but our dishes and clothes are always clean, and for the most part the house would pass a cursory inspection.) Not having a spic and span house aside, for the most part my husband and I get things done. I manage to bathe daily, my legs are even shaved year round! I make time during the day to sit down and watch something just for me….General Hospital much to the annoyment of my husband and children. I usually am able to get SOME sort of dinner on the table, and occasionally when I feel really ambitious I will do something for lunch as well. The bottom line is just because you have kids doesn’t mean your life is over, and I am so tired to hearing people complain about that. IF you can’t get what you need to get done during the day, you might want to sit down and check out your time management skills. Granted when you have kids your priorities will change. I have no interest in blow drying my hair everyday, and putting on a full face of makeup, but I make sure my hair is clean and I look presentable when we run to the store. My clothes don’t all have designer labels, but they are clean, they match and I look somewhat fashionable. (Our kids dress better than we do, but I am sure most parents can relate to that.) With four kids, and right now I am coaching summer swim, I don’t have time to cook big meals every night (Or every two nights and then we eat leftovers as I try to do in the off season), but there IS food to eat in the house, and whenever I feel up to it I try to put something together. You CAN get it done, it just takes a bit more juggling.

2) And two, and this has ALWAYS bugged the heck out of me….”Four boys! ARe you guys going to try for a girl?” Now, before I get into this let me say..YES, I am pregnant, but the idea here was we wanted ONE more baby. We felt we had room in our hearts and home for one more child, so we went for it. I didn’t go into this thinking…I NEED a girl, I need a girl. If we have a girl, great…if we have a boy, great, we just want a healthy baby. That said….It has always bothered me that people feel because I have four sons, something is missing in my life…specifically a little girl. There have been times in my life when I thought…a girl would be great! And then I look at my boys and think….wow, that means I am going to have to learn to do hair, put on makeup and attend ballet class. I have no problem doing any of that, but I will be honest I am more comfortable at the pool than the dance hall. I can deal with my rough and tumble little boys, can I handle a girly-girl? BUT, I disgress….why do strangers, who know nothing about me or my family, assume I am walking around with a hole in my heart because I can’t buy pink dresses and lip gloss? Is that the goal of parents…to have AT LEAST one of each, so that they don’t miss out on anything?

My husband can let this roll right off his back, and while I won’t call someone out for their complaints or give someone attitude for assuming I want a little girl, I find these comments irksome. And yet, I have to wonder…after the baby is born, will I do the same thing to complete strangers?!