When my children were babies and toddlers, they were so cuddly. Whenever I wanted a hug, I got one. Whenever I wanted a snuggle, I simply started snuggling. It didn’t matter where we were or what was happening, mommy always got the warm fuzzies. Today, my 8-year old daughter still jumps at the chance to hug her mom. But my son, well, he’s a bit of a different story.
My husband took these pictures today within a few minutes of each other at Reid’s Fine Foods where we stopped off for lunch after a visit to the Levine Museum of the New South’s “Cotton Fields To Skyscrapers” Exhibit. When he asked my daughter to pose with me, she came over and gave me a sweet hug, as you can see. But my son was not having it.
First, he made us promise not to Tweet the photo. Eventually, in exchange for a promise of a new smiley face (which can be redeemed for either a sweet treat or time on the X-box), he agreed to the photo, but he still wouldn’t give me a hug or a smile.
When we arrived home, he told me it was because he didn’t want his neighborhood pals to see him all cuddled up with his mom. This makes sense since a few months ago, in all his kindergarten glory, he advised against hugging or kissing him good-bye as I dropped him and his sister off in front of the school each morning. In place of a hug, I now engage in a high five, low five, fist bump sequence. And even that must be done in a subtle manner so we don’t risk anyone seeing how “uncool” mom really is.
Thankfully, my daughter has not (yet) issued similar advisories. (Should I expect them soon? How soon? I need to prepare.)
So, my cuddle-with-son-in-public days are officially over.
Don’t tell my son I told you this, but I still get my cuddle on when it’s close to bedtime. But I didn’t tell you that.
Question: If you have kids, or have spent lots of time around them and their parents, did you notice this as a difference between the boys and the girls?
