I have said it before and I’ll say it again “raising boys is so different than raising girls.”  My girls played outside but I don’t remember them excavating the back yard with a bob the builder scoop toy.  Or instead of playing “with” stuffed toys trying to “kill” soft toys.  Just the other day I spotted my nephew (aged 3) hunched over something in the back yard. Upon inspection I realised he was playing with a fresh dog poo.  I called out his name and startled him, jumping off the ground he looked at me.  I said “don’t play with dog poo” to which he replied “it’s alright I have a stick.”  Sure enough there it was…poo on a stick!

Lego just turned 50 in Australia and while my kids are not boys I do have a husband who as a child loved Lego.  We kept his childhood Lego for our girls and they play with it every now and then but my nephew really loves the stuff.  His mother bought him a Lego rubbish truck for his 3rd birthday not realising she had to assemble the truck herself.  When her son asked her to get the truck out of the box she got a surprise or more accuratly a shock when she saw all the little pieces.   So a couple of days later we were handed the box of lego requiring assembly.  My husband seems excited at the prospect of getting stuck into a lego project…….they may grow up but they are still boys at heart!  I’m sure he should have been working but the lure of lego proved too great and he got straight into it after breakfast.  One hour and fifteen minutes later there was a fantastic lego rubbish truck with loads of moving parts.  With a grin from ear to ear I could tell my husband was proud of himself.  The truck went back with my nephew and the very next day he had destroyed it.  I reckon they put suggested ages on the boxes for a very good reason…….this one was for ages 5-12……a little too grown up for a three year old!

Having two girls I found their play time antics quite cute….dolls, babies, families, fairy dress ups and the like.  Then entered the BOY!   I look after my nephew 3 days a week and his adorable little face hides the play of a demon!  I’ve been told it’s “just boys” and they play differently to girls.  I would never have believed that so it’s a good thing I am experiencing it.  Let me tell you that it is true, it’s ALL true.  He jumps, tackles, tries to “kill” with his toy gun, punches, fights and hassles the dog and to him it’s all fun.  He isn’t even 3 yet….. what advanced war games is he going to be playing when he is 4? or 5? or 6?  Well I don’t need to know that, he’ll be in school by then.  My point people is that raising girls and raising boys are two VERY different ball games.