What must it be like?

The tiniest PK is our only-born male child. He is growing up in a literal estrogen den. He, day in and day out sees what it means to be a sister, mother, a female growing up in the world. He is sensitive and kind. He is rough and tumble. He is loud, he is soft. He takes up space and has learned how to move aside and allow others to speak. His sisters and sibling teach him daily how to listen and to talk. He hears when they talk about the ways that they are treated, good and bad. He learns from his dad that women's voices are powerful and their hearts are good. He learns that respect is a two-way street. He is learning how to be taken care of and to take care of. He is learning that voices can be used for good and for hurt. He is powerfully protected and loved beyond his own knowing. My daily prayer includes him never forgetting these most important lessons and learning how to balance being a good human and learning how to advocate for others first and himself second. I often wonder, what must it feel like to be the littlest of boys in a house full of generous and powerful women? He gravitates to women, is that because he intrinsically knows them? Are they so familiar that they are the easiest to relate to? 

He has recently begun a new preschool and it is always so amazing when I see him playing with all the little babies, particularly the girls in his mixed-age class. He can sit and play for long periods with baby dolls turn around play with trucks and be Spiderman. The other day I was able to watch (we have camera access to his classroom in a closed circuit format) him lovingly play with a little girl and he was showing her how to rock her baby. His gentleness and willingness to show tenderness is something I hope he never loses. We should all be striving to teach our boys how to be soft and gentle, to allow their emotions to be as close to the surface as their bravery. We should be teaching them to have courage and curiosity. We should be teaching them how to lovingly take care of baby dolls as often as they learn to hit a ball or play with race cars. 

Our sweet and sturdy boy will know, in spite of what the world may try to undo, that his emotions and his kindness are strengths, not weaknesses. He will know that everyone around the table has an equal right to speak and if others are trying to quiet voices, that it is his duty to elevate their voices. To use his privilege to ensure equity exists in all spaces. His sisters and sibling have learned this from the day they were born and now they are teaching him that too and it is a beautiful thing. 

I am filled with pride and prayer that my son and his siblings will be world-changers. They will continue to do the work of undoing and elevation. I love you, my babies, go make good trouble. Momma and Daddy will always support you.