Boys vs. Girls

I grew up in a family of all boys. There are advantages & disadvantages to being the only girl. But that's a post for a different day.

Before I had any children, I shocked my in-laws by making the statement that if I had to choose between having all boys or all girls, I would choose all boys hand-down every time. (Them with a household dominated by girls.)
Now don't get me wrong, I am glad the Lord saw fit to send 1 daughter my way, but I still think boys are easier than girls. Ok, it's probably just because I don't know how to deal with all the drama of having multiple females under the same roof. (Certain people might say I make enough drama of my own. haha)

But one thing I'm discovering as a mom of 2 teen sons and a 40-something husband- there is a certain amount of drama with boys, too. Maybe a better way of saying it is that there is an constant undercurrent of power struggle going on. It doesn't involve the females in the household and I don't think there's anything we can do about it.
These 2 songs placed back-to-back "crack me up". Puts words to the drama we've got going here...

When You Are Eighteen  

When you are eighteen, You're a man who is ready,

Who is strong and who's steady, You know what I mean?

When you are eighteen, Then you should be respected,

And you don't need protected, When you are eighteen.

When you are eighteen, You are braver and bolder

Than that crowd who are older, You know what I mean?

'Cos when you are eighteen, With all those years to prepare you,

There's nothing can scare you, When you are eighteen.

I'm ready to travel, To follow my star

To the places I've been dreaming of.

I'm ready for living; I'm ready for life

And I know that I'm ready for love…

 

But when you are eighteen They say "Love's complicated

And so over-rated", You know what I mean?

When you are eighteen, They say "Wait, and don't worry",

And "Hey! What's your hurry? 'Cos you're only eighteen".

I'm ready to travel, To follow my star

To the places I've been dreaming of.

I'm ready for living; I'm ready for life

And I know that I'm ready for love…

When you are eighteen, With the world all around you,

It can sometimes astound you, You know what I mean?

Just how little they know, ha, All those cowboys and chancers,
I've got more of the answers, and I'm only eighteen!

You can listen to it here.

I couldn't find a video of the 2nd one, but here are the lyrics-

 

"Life In The Old Dog Yet"

In my time I've been a few places,
And I've many a story to tell.
Here I am still as strong
As I've been all along,
I'm not ready for heaven or hell.
There are people who do need reminding,
That I'm still the boss around here.
I still call every shot,
And I'll tell you what's what,
And what's not, do I make myself clear.

I'm not ready to roll over
I'm still, the daddy of them all,
I'm still the top banana,
They still answer when I call.
I'm older, yes, but I'm wiser,
And they better not forget,
I'm not ready to roll over
'Cos there's life in the old dog yet.

You can't put an old head on young shoulders
My advice is the best I can give
Let them make their mistakes;
Let them fight for their rights;
Let them learn how to love and to live.

I've only got the one daughter,
Time she married a man of her own,
And the one I have planned
Has got plenty of land,
She'll be grand, and I'll stand all alone.

I'm not ready to roll over
I'm still the daddy of the all,
I'm still the top banana,
They still answer when I call.
I'm older, yes, but I'm wiser,
And they better not forget,
I'm not ready to roll over
'Cos there's life in the old dog yet.

(Disclaimer: Ignore that 2nd line of the 3rd stanza! We are not ready to push our daughter out of the nest at the tender age of 13.)