Raising Alphas...

As a nod to mother's day this weekend. I thought I'd take a moment to write another blog about being a mom. Specifically, a boy mom, the only female in the house. I mentioned my three sons in my blog yesterday. Three stereotypical, sometimes not stereotypical, boys. I thought I’d elaborate on that just a little bit.

The wild life of raising Alphas.

Raising boys, can probably best we described like living with a pack of wolves. When we had our first son, Elijah, the world was fine. He knew his place in our little world, daddy was the Alpha, he was the second in the house, as far as males go. He knew, you respect your daddy. He also understood that you respect, and protect, your mama. Life is good!

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Enter boy number two, Josiah. First boy, Elijah, still has no issues because he is five years older than the new guy, he’s stronger, he’s wiser- this little baby is no threat. He likes the little guy and he’ll care for him. There's no need to change who he is because he still recognizes: respect your daddy, respect your mama, oh and let's add- protect the helpless little new guy.

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Enter boy number three, Solomon. I can look back now and recognize that when this happened my 14-month-old was suddenly facing an identity crisis. He was no longer the baby, suddenly there was someone more helpless than him. He wanted to take care for the baby but he wasn't mature enough to understand how to do that.

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Fast Forward 5 years

Everybody wants to be "king of the hill". The 11-year-old no longer has two helpless, non-threatening babies to help care for. Suddenly, he's struggling with hard math problems while his brothers get to bring home pretty paintings that they completed in centers. (Yeah, for papers about decimals hanging on the fridge next to colorful art). 
The 6-year-old is wise enough to recognize that is younger brother is stronger than him and will always overpower him. So, most of the time, instead of fighting him, he recruits him to gang up against their older brother. At which time, World War D breaks out in our living room with Nerf guns or wrestling.

Respect the King, Hail the Queen! Now go build your own kingdom!

Sometimes it's difficult to be the only female in a house full of testosterone. I don't always understand the constant need for wrestling, battling, and struggling. I think about them starting their own packs one day and I get a little excited. But, I'm also not in any hurry for them to do this today because I know they're not yet ready.
As frustrating as it is sometimes to watch them struggling to see who is the strongest, the smartest, the fastest, the loudest, and yes, even the stinkiest; I have to recognize this is their way of fighting for who God made them to be.
They are each Alphas. And one day they will each have their own packs to lead. As their mom, I need to love them through each stage and through each of their unique quirks. I have to look past the cubs I see before me and envision the Alphas they will soon become.

Raising boys can be exhausting, but we're loving every moment of it. 

Look past your cubs to the Alphas,
Nicole