One of the many things that kept me up at night while my wife was pregnant with our daughter was “What is it going to be like having a girl?” I felt like I had a pretty good handle on what needed to be done with a boy, but a little girl was going to have its challenges. I got tips from friends but no one can truly prepare you for all the little joys that come with having a baby girl. Here are just a few examples:
1 – I know nothing about how a vagina works.
Everyone tells you the same tip – “Front to Back” when it comes to changing your daughter. But that’s really it. No cleaning tips on what to do when you giving a bath. No preparation for what to do when different rashes break out (there are different ones btw) or where the important spots are to put rash crème. Front to back is not going to cover it folks. We’re going to need a better pamphlet on that info.
2 – Girl clothes are weird.
Guys got it real easy. T-shirt. Pants. Not too difficult to figure out. Girl clothes – even baby girl clothes – have little differences that really make zero sense to me and took some time to get used to. First, why are buttons on the back of everything? Does the Baby Gap realize that trying to negotiate insanely small buttons on the back of a fidgeting toddler is like playing Operation on the back seat of a city bus. Also I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m nearing 40 and I still don’t know what a blouse is. I’m also not too confident in the whole concept of a “slip.” Seems pretty pointless to me but yet – here we are.
3 – How often my tear ducts would be used.
Now I’m more on the sensitive side to begin with when it comes to getting emotional about certain things. But sweet jeebus, I never thought there would come a time where I’d be sitting in my living room on a Wednesday afternoon unable to see through my own tears while watching An Insurance Commercial. Any monumental occasion (walking, talking, etc) I’m a mess for a good five minutes following. I hope this wears off after a few years but I have a feeling I’m now stuck like this. Might as well lean into it.
4 – How much fun it would be.
I have to say, I was a little worried about being able to relate to a daughter. Not too mention, would she be able to relate to me? Turns out, it doesn’t matter and I should stop worrying so much. I’m having a blast just spending time with her and playing with all the new toys she gets. She’s also in one of those phases where she’s all about Daddy and follows me around like a little puppy so I’m currently milking it for all it’s worth.
Bottom line, having a girl isn’t better than having a boy – it’s just different. And with each new challenge that comes my way, I proceed further with the necessary trepidation and have given my very best shot at it all. Which I guess is all we can do.