18 Proud Mothers Of Sons On The Best Part Of Being A 'Boy Mom'

Besides, you know, pee being everywhere.
Joni Edelman

There’s something extra special about the bond between mother and son. “Boy mom” is a label we moms wear like a badge of pride. It’s not that boys are inherently different than girls, but our relationships with them are marked by a fierce love and loyalty that we treasure.

We asked 18 mothers of sons to tell us their favorite part of being a boy mom. Their answers are as sweet and loving as their boys.

1. “There is a sort of protectiveness toward me that only my boys exhibit.”

When I had my first son, I already had a daughter. I was terrified to be a mom to a person with a penis. What I discovered about being a mom to boys surprised me. My oldest boy is 18 now, and while my relationship with my two daughters is very special, my relationship with my sons has a different dynamic. There is a sort of protectiveness toward me that only my boys exhibit.

When I was in labor at home with my now 6-year-old, it was my 10-year-old son who was cheering me on the loudest. When I was nursing their younger siblings, my older sons, 10 and 12 at the time, were the first to defend my right to breastfeed in any setting. When I had my hysterectomy, just a month ago now, it was my sons who were most protective of my recovery. My boys have always clung to me in a way that they don’t with anyone else. My relationship with them is so special.

Also, pee. Everywhere.

Joni, mother to an 18-year-old, a 16-year-old and a 4-year-old son

2. “The best part about being a mom to a boy is finally learning the names of the ninja turtles.”

Best part about being a mom to a boy is finally learning the names of the ninja turtles and telling the difference between a Marvel character and a DC Comics character. Also, I now know that boys have their fair share of troubles. Like how they have to “readjust” themselves from time to time and how they always have to lift the toilet seat up and place it down for the women every time.

― Jessica, mother to a 4-year-old son

3. “I get to yell ‘Stop touching your penis!’ in public with a straight face.

― Kisa, mother to a 2-year-old boy

4. “The gift of making men for the future is wonderful.”

The gift of making men for the future is wonderful. Being a part of how they see and interact in the world is a reward I relish. Teaching them emotional intelligence and seeing them display emotion with understanding and compassion is the BEST part.

― Lori, mother to a 9-year-old and a 7-year-old son

5. “They are so rowdy and rambunctious!”

They are so rowdy and rambunctious! I truly have a blast with them. As a tomboy blessed with 2 girlie girls, it has been a lot of fun exploring the world with 2 guys who live for mud puddles and rough housing. Home Depot was an adventure this weekend because we had to explore what was in every kitchen cabinet and appliance in the showroom.

― Meg, mother to a 4-year-old and a 3-year-old son

6. “Everything is bigger with boys.”

Everything is bigger with boys ― activity levels, hunger, humor, love. They are always playing, running, jumping and looking for new ways to laugh. They are rapidly eating everything as fast as Costco stocks shelves. And most of all, they love each other and their mom more than anything in the world. It’s undying, never-ending, the most fulfilling love on earth.

― Eloise, mother to a 5-year-old and two 18-month old twin sons

Andrea and her son
Andrea Rhodes
Andrea and her son

7. “I love exploring the rough-and-tumble side of myself as a parent. I could not have predicted how much I genuinely enjoy being impaled by an imaginary sword while playing pirates on a Saturday afternoon.”

Andrea, mother to a 4-year-old son

8. “It makes me feel so good to teach my boys to be kind.”

Having boys is awesome because they’re full of energy. It also makes me feel so good to teach my boys to be kind. I know that there will be two men of the future who treat people right.

― Ericka K, mother to a 12-year-old and a 5-year-old son

9. “The best part about being a mom to a boy is the unbreakable bond I have with my son.”

The best part about being a mom to a boy is the unbreakable bond I have with my son. He and dad can rough house, but you better believe, when my son is sick, the only person he wants in the world is his mama. The hugs he gives me every morning when he wakes up make me the happiest mom in the world.

― Jenna, mother to a 1-year-old son

10. “Getting boys to smile in pictures is easy. You can use any reference to poop.”

Mrsdoingmybest, mother to a 5-year-old boy

11.My little man is the man of the house.”

My little man is the man of the house. He is so sensitive and caring and always takes care of me. When I’m tired, he hands me a blankie. When I’m sad, he gives me a hug. He always tries to make me laugh. He is so observant ― he even notices new nail polish! I couldn’t ask for anything more from my little man and only hope he continues to treat women this way as he grows up!

Jennifer, mother to a 3-year-old son

11. “Never having to ‘do hair.’”

― Julie, mother to a 6-year-old boy and a 3-year-old boy

12. “As a boy mom, I get down on the ground.”

The best part about being a boy mom is tasting a side of childhood that you may not have on your first go-round. I grew up a girl’s girl. But as a boy mom, I get down on the ground. I wrestle. I tickle. I understand the pride of building the highest Lego tower possible, and the frustration when it topples. I laugh at farts that bubble up in the tub. I read comics. I go fishing in a giant puddle with nothing more than a stick and some imagination. I watch monster truck rallies, and have a favorite truck and driver. I enjoy the saltiness of a forbidden taste of Play Dough, and the excitement of building a ramp that really makes those toy cars fly. I never would have found joy in these things if it weren’t for my two sons.

― Kate, mother to a 3-year-old and a 1-year-old

Claire and her son
Claire McCormack
Claire and her son

13. “The purity of a son’s love for his mother. It is complete, uncomplicated and melts my heart every single day.”

― Claire, mother to a 7-year-old son

14. “I love explaining things to them through the lens of feminism and equality and just plain goodness.”

I now have a big responsibility: I’m in charge of raising two young white men to be the respectful, compassionate, good men that so often we don’t have in this society. And I love it. I love explaining things to them through the lens of feminism and equality and just plain goodness. So much of parenting is premeditated and so much is as you go; I really enjoy the moments where I get to think of my answer and what will make the “right” impact. I take great pride in it.

― Kate, mother to a 3-year-old and a 1-year-old son

15. “They inspire me to be more authentic, like they are. Wild, unfiltered, unapologetically loving.”

― Claire, mother to a 7-year-old and a 5-year-old son

16. “Everything is meant to be climbed or explored.”

― Norma, mother to a 5-year-old boy

Theresa and her sons.
Theresa Duerr
Theresa and her sons.

17. “Their hugs border on headlocks.”

The best part of being a mom to boys is the way they love me so roughly! Their hugs border on headlocks, their kisses are wet, and when they lay next to me, it’s really on top of me to steal my blanket. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. They show their love so passionately.

― Theresa, mother to an 8-year-old and a 5-year-old son

18. “My son has the best heart.”

My son has the best heart. He is so loving. He’s at an age where he is so happy to snuggle with me. He’ll call me into another room just to snuggle. He is the best big brother to his little sister. He will share pretty much everything he has with her, if it makes her happy. My father passed away a little over a year ago and he still “calls” him on the phone to tell him about his day. I could go on and on about how amazing my son is. I really don’t know how I got to be so lucky to get be his Mom.

― Sarah, mother to a 3-year-old boy

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