Let me tell you what it’s like have little boys…

We have an ant problem (I know, I know, I’m calling the exterminator TODAY).

Now the first day this problem got really bad; I’m talking 30+ flying ants all over one of my big living room windows, I was throwing the ants out in the snow to freeze by using a piece of paper to scrap them off the walls, floor, and windows into an empty jam jar. The whole time I was going about getting rid of these guys I was shrieking like a little girl because the stupid things have wings, WINGS!!

Finally I got smart and made up this natural ant killer spray I found (1 part soap, 2 parts water, and a few drops of peppermint oil in case you’re wondering) It works great but I have a LOT of ants to kill.

My 3 year old and 18 month old woke up from their nap while I was out in the living room, shrieking and chasing these things down. They come marching in there from their nap, cuddling stuffed animals and the younger one with a binky in his mouth, to see Mommy running around like a crazy person.

First, of course, they are a bit puzzled by what’s going on here. Next, they start to think something exciting is going on so, what kicks in but the hunting instinct.

Now, you may be of the opinion these kinds of things are taught to boys, but I can tell you from personal observation, it comes naturally.

Next thing I know, stuffed animals and binky forgotten, they are running around yelling and pointing out ants to me. They are fully ready to do battle to defeat what Mommy has designated, invaders into our home.

They stomp on these things, squish them, examine them, scream with conquering delight whenever they find another one. My 3 year old has an ongoing, unquenchable desire to spray the ants with the spray. He will leave whatever it is he happens to be doing in order to take care of the ant.

Right now I know 2 things for sure; I will most likely never have to kill my own bugs or spiders in my house so long as one of the boys is around, and I will never completely understand how their brains work and how they are wired. I am also seeing my future when the baby will be right out there chasing those bugs with the bigger boys and the days when I will be finding dried/dead/squished bugs in all pockets of their clothes, YUCK!

I’m not made this way. I want the bugs out of my house and I want someone else to do it. I want to care for them and keep them safe and keep anything bad from ever touching them. If I could, there’s a chance I would never give them a challenge to conquer or a battle to fight.

But see, here’s the thing; God made boys for adventure and gave them the spirit of courage and longing for a battle to fight. I’m not sure I will ever “get it” but that’s not necessary. I could try and keep them from trying new things or being independent of what I want them to do, but I’ve definitely done that and it hasn’t worked. My job is to love my boys, give them a safe place to land, and help them learn how to be strong, good, Godly boys who grow into strong, good, Godly men.

On that note I’m going to go wash hand soap out of my Nose Frida because a little time for me always comes with a clean-up tag. I think I’m getting used to it some days but then first I just had to clean up the broken ant killer spray bottle because someone dared to try something bigger than they are ready for yet and I’m glad I was writing this post. Turns out I needed to hear these things today too.

Mama, I get it, these days are tough and these little ones are hard to understand. By the grace of God we will survive and thrive in these little years.

Courage Mama