Even in his groggy state, my youngest son reaches out for a hug, his sleepy eyes still heavy with slumber. I wrap my arms around his warm, cuddly frame, and his sweet smile could light up the darkest day. “Come on, sweetheart,” I gently encourage. “Time to rise and shine.”
Instead of the typical morning grumbling, he lets out a soft purr, reminiscent of a kitten rather than the eleven-year-old he is. As I try to free myself from our embrace, he immediately protests, “Noo.”
“Uh uh, that’s enough hugs for now,” I playfully tease, but I can’t resist giving him one last squeeze. “Alright, that’s it. Up you go!” I give him a gentle shake until he giggles, and then it’s time to get down to business. “Your clothes are strewn across the floor. Brush your teeth and head downstairs.” I leave him to carry out my orders, hoping he won’t need a second wake-up call.
Meanwhile, my six- and nine-year-olds are already downstairs, dressed, having finished breakfast, and deeply engrossed in playing Club Penguin on the computer when my oldest sleepily wanders into the kitchen, immediately attaching himself to my side. “Mama.”
My heart swells at that simple word. I lean my head against his for a moment before guiding him into his morning routine.
Every so often, someone has the audacity to say to me, “Oh, you have three boys? You know what that means, right? They’ll leave you.” I always respond with a confident smile, “Not if you do it right.”
While I genuinely believe that, their offhand comments do strike a chord. After all, it’s somewhat true. Boys adore their mothers until they find a partner. They are sweet, charming, and full of affection in their younger years, but as they grow, that connection can fade. No way; that’s not happening on my watch.
That’s why I’ve made it my mission to keep my boys as ‘mama’s boys.’ And for the most part, it’s worked—though the outcomes differ.
My youngest is a bundle of energy, still clinging to the baby role he’s outgrown, preferring my company above all. Score! My middle son is spunky and spirited, yet he’s a little monkey that wraps himself around my neck. Score!
But my oldest has truly surpassed my aspirations of having a mama’s boy. Deeply sentimental, he reminisces about being five when he was six, openly expressing his love for me. Home run!
Sometimes I do worry that I’m setting my boys up for challenges in their future relationships, but only a little. After all, the best men are those who love and respect their mothers. Eventually, my mama’s boys will grow up and move on to create families of their own.
While I dread the day my role as their primary source of affection comes to an end, I’ll quietly step back—albeit through tears—and do my utmost to win over their future partners. What else can I do?
At the end of each day, my oldest jumps off the school bus and rushes to hug me, saying, “It’s been six hours since I hugged my mommy.” My other two, fueled by sibling rivalry, quickly join in for a group hug.
Oh, these boys are going to break my heart.
This article was originally published on Sep. 10, 2012.
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Summary: This article highlights the deep bond between a mother and her three sons, exploring the joys of motherhood and the challenges of raising boys who cherish their mom. It reflects on the importance of nurturing that bond while preparing for their eventual independence.