Even if you read to your son regularly when he is young, as an older boy he might struggle to find books he enjoys. You may even hear that "books are for girls!". Roald Dahl books are always fun; they might just persuade him that reading can be worthwhile.
Bringing up boys and raising girls
Your daughter might be more happy than your son to sit and read, but sports are good for girls too. Teenage girls often report body image problems and dislike PE lessons at school. You can help to build her confidence earlier by encouraging her to enjoy exercise.
Bringing up boys and raising girls
Boys and girls do often like to play with different toys, and they play in different ways. Boys usually love toys with wheels - trains and cars are always popular. They might be noisier and enjoy more rough and tumble too. Don't feel concerned if your son prefers to cuddle his teddy, that's normal too!
Bringing up boys and raising girls
Girls play cooperatively sooner than boys as they mature earlier. They usually enjoy dressing up and caring for their dolls. How much of this toy preference is down to nature and how much is down to nurture, who knows? It's probably partially genetic, partly due to hormones, and partly due to social cues.
Bringing up boys and raising girls
It is important that boys have good male role models to look up to. Most teachers are still female; sons of single mothers might not come into much contact with men apart from weekend visits with dad. If you are a mum in this situation, you could try to spend time with your brother or your own father.
Bringing up boys and raising girls
Girls need good role models too of course. Ideally we all want our children to feel they can succeed in any area they choose. Your son could be a fantastic midwife, your daughter could be a fantastic mechanical engineer. Lets not limit their options in life!
Bringing up boys and raising girls
Baby boys usually gain language skills more slowly than baby girls. Later on, perhaps as a consequence of this difference, young boys are more likely to suffer from a variety of learning problems at school.
Bringing up boys and raising girls
With girls you'll have to deal with much more arguing back at an earlier age, and there will be huge phone bills as she gets older. Your son calls his friend and asks does he want to play - 30 seconds, your daughter calls her friend for the same reason but the call takes 40 minutes!
Bringing up boys and raising girls
Little boys are sometimes clingier than little girls. We do treat our boy and girl babies differently - we hold them differently and talk to them differently. It could be that we expect too much manliness from boys too soon. Maybe we need to give our baby boys more cuddles and kisses.
Bringing up boys and raising girls
Just becase little girls can talk sooner, it doesn't always make things any easier for them. They can seem more moody and volatile. Your chatty little toddler might seem very grown up but don't be fooled - she can't really make decisions for herself yet and she'll find it very stressful if you expect her to.
