How Are Boys Different from Girls??

I have 3 boys and one girl and one more boy on the way. So I know a thing or two about boys. My first boy was strong willed to begin with but with persistance and consistancy he is very well behaved and listens very well. My second boy is 4 and listens pretty well but is getting better as time goes on. And my youngest son is 2 and has listened and minded very well from the begining, so don't lose hope. Parenting has a lot to do with it. If a child is not taught when young to mind, it is very difficult to change when they are older. Hope that helps and gives comfort.

I have a 4 1/2 year old boy who is really well behaved. He knows his boundaries and is very much a rule follower. I think that kids are the way they are partly because of personality and partially because of parenting/environment. I definately don't think you can base opinions about boys and girls off of generalizations.

J.,

I have two boys, almost 6 and 2 1/2. I do not have any girls, but I had a sister. My boys listen to me when I ask them not to do something. If they don't, I punish them with a time out or by sending them to their rooms. They learn from the discipline process. If they hurt each other, they apologize and give hugs.

What I think people mean by saying that boys are different from girls is that, for instance, where my sister and I would have sat quietly playing with our dolls, my boys want their trucks to crash into each other. The trucks do not go nicely around the track, they crash, they bang, they fly! When my boys play with "dolls" (spider-man figurine, etc.), the dolls fight. They do not sit down for a tea party. They fight battles of good vs. evil. Boys seem to have more energy, or maybe less interest in sitting quietly. Boys are wonderful though!

J. - I think you already have your answer. I have done daycare for over three years, have taught children at church and have a boy and a girl myself. My boy has been easier than my girl entire time - less drama, more well behaved, etc. I honestly believe that it's the parenting or lack there of. Sounds like your sister and brother in law need some lessons from you! Don't worry, if you parent both of your kids well and consistantly, you shouldn't have any more problems with the boy than the girl. HTH K.

I have two sons and both like to be little crazies at times BUT we have set healthy guidelines for them and they are very well behaved. All kids get into mischief but your nephew is a great example of a sweet little boy who is allowed to get away with way too much!!!
The idea that all girls act a certain way and all boys do is silly! Kids are kids, and though some traits tend to be gender specific- all children do best when the live in a loving environment with set expectations.

Hello,
It all depends on parenting. I have a 3 year old son who for everyone else if well behaved. The behavior I expect from him now has been expected since before he could crawl. If you teach your child right from wrong and lead by example, you will be fine. You'll find you will have to discipline your son more with Jack present. Firm and consistent discipline. I find when Xander gets around other children that behave in ways I do not like, I stop the imitated behavior the first time I see it. The next time he knows that's wrong and it gets easier. Boys are great and fun. I love the workings of their little minds. There's definately a difference between boys and girls and I hope your experiences are as great as mine. Good luck
K.

My daughter is 4 and my son is 1. She is so verbal and he is very cuddly. There are times I think I will go insane if she doesn't keep her mouth quiet!! We are just entering the stage of new independence for him, though. She never got into anything and he is always dragging everything he can find all over the house. But I love both of them so much. I couldn't imagine being without them.
I think you have to choose how you will raise your children. Have the expectation that both genders need to have manners and empathy for all people. Then things will flow more naturally.

I don't think that boys and girls are all that different. It all depends on their personality. My son is quiet and reserved and very well behaved. My daughter is the dare devil, and the one that has to test all the limits. Remember that no two children are exactly alike. It has some to do with the limits that you set, and some to do with their personality. My daughter knows what she is not supposed to do, and will avoid most of them.

Hi J.,
I have two boys(10 and 5) and another on the way. We have also had many foster daughters. I don't think that all boys are out of control. Mine quite often get compliments when we are out and about. Sure they have they have moments. When my youngest gets bored, we have to make sure we have a plan for him or are ready to leave if need be, but neither of them trash other people's homes or casue big disruptions. I really think all this depends on parenting and the child's temperments. So, please don't be afraid of boys. They aren't all wild ;-)

~D.

Boys are different from girls. But in their behavior. You have to tell them the rules and then stick to it. It sounds like you already do that with your daughter. It should be the same for your son. My boys, one is ADHD and the other isn't but they acted pretty much the same way. Every child boy or girl is different in their behavior. Not every little boy is so full of energy. Not every little girl is quiet and good all of the time. Depends on your parenting. It also depends on their personality. Good luck and don't panic yet about how much harder (because it isn't true) your son is going to be.

Yes, boys are different than girls but not the way you described. Boys tend to be more active and more daring but girls are way more emotional and dramatic. As far as getting them to listen, all you need to do is teach your son the same things you have taught your daughter. Boys are just as capable as listening and following rules, however boys also have higher incidents of ADHD and other emotional/behavioral disorders. You will learn that each child is unique and you have to use different parenting skills with each of them. Don't worry so much. Your son will be as well behaved as your daughter...he just might have a few more injuries along the way. :)

I'm a mom of two very rambunctious boys. We do everything we can to get them to listen, to behave, etc. and yet they continually test their limits over and over and over. My in-laws make nasty little comments about us not disciplining our kids which DRIVES ME CRAZY!! We discipline them all the time, they just don't seem to learn. I have a friend who had two angels and thought she and her husband had this parenting thing all figured out and thought other people just didn't discipline their kids. Then they had their third, a girl, who was a terror. It's not like they disciplined her any differently than the first two, she was just "wired" that way. Your nephew's parents may be in the same boat. So before you pass judgement on them, you might want to dredge up a little understanding... you may be in the same boat if you have another. If there's something you don't want Jack to play with, then just tell him so in Lisa's earshot.

My boy is, but he can be sweet too. Although if I had him sooner than last I am not so sure I would have 4 kids now! I know people that have boys that aren't as active too. It just all depends on their personality and temperament. Love each of your children for their differences and you will learn to adapt and be able to handle whatever each of them throw at you.
Hope this helps!

J.,

I think the main difference between boys and girls at a young age is the way parents/family treats them. One of the moms in this post already labeled boys as "active" and girls as "emotional and dramatic" and I think these attitudes are what contribute to the "differences" that people claim to see in boys and girls. My son is very active and outgoing and at the same time very dramatic if he gets hurt or does not get his way, but he knows when it is time to listen and when he is not acting appropriately -- and he is 11 months old! I think children's behavior totally reflects parent's expectations. I have never underestimated his ability to do anything and do not treat him like a baby so he does not act like one. Too often it seems that parents let "boys be boys" and teach girls to "act like ladies" and this distorts a child's personality. I think parents' expectations of boys and girls should always be equal when it comes to behavior and discipline, no matter what age. Sorry this ended up so long, but basically I AGREE WITH YOU :)

every child is so different it's hard to just put a blanket statement over 'boys' and 'girls'
parenting might have a part in some situations. but also the childs own personality they were born with has alot to do with situations as well.
MY daughter is the one who doesn't listen when i tell her to stay by me. she is the one who keeps going out of the play area at the mall(this last time i think she finally caught onto consequences of not getting to play if she left the area). SHE is the one who keeps doing the same thing i have told her not to or gave her a time out for.
they both run a lot!

there are plenty of boys/males who grow up and never break a bone what so ever. and some girls who are accident prone. i think it just depends on the kids, what they are interested in, and their own body make up.

the peopel who say these types of things are just speaking from their own life experiences and that should be taken into account when you hear things from anyone..lol lol

as far as your nephew. if a child some into my house and touches things i don't let my own kids touch i myself do something about it. gently redirect them and say 'no no no, we don't touch the stove' or what ever the situation is.

to your last statement 'but at least listen to their parents'.. lol lol what child does that all the time? lol no child listens and follows directions ALL THE TIME. now that is a blanket statement that HAS TO be true..HAHAHAHAA..
(only my opinion:-)) )

There is not difference between boys and girls, just personalities and parenting. My son is the most laid back kid in the whole world. He would go to people's house and never touch a thing, never got into things that he wasnt suppose to, and just was a mellow fellow!! My daughter, who just turned 3, however, is border-line poster child for birth control!! She cant be some where without leaving her fingerprints on everything. I have to rein her in or else she will get way worse and thats not a good thing when they get into school, but at the same time, I dont want her to lose the sense of who she is either. Yeah it is true that your son might be a non-stop kid who has to look and touch everything, but as long as you set limits for him and are consistant, he will learn what he can and cant do without losing that thing that makes him him. Good Luck!