7 Silly Questions People Ask a Mom of Many Boys

9:07 AM


I know that there are many people out there with just as many children or even boys as myself. In fact, there are many people out there with more children than me. However, it must be pretty uncommon where I live, because when I go out in public, people stare like we are the latest freak show attraction at the state fair. Have you never seen a mom with four boys people? Then, there are the silly questions people like to ask...

Are They All Yours? - Nope, I just borrowed a few from the orphanage to take with me to the grocery store.

Are They Triplets? - I know my boys look alike, but this is usually asked of my 11,9 and 7 year old. You can clearly tell they are not triplets.

Do They All Have the Same Dad? - Social filter much? Are you hoping I admit to being a slut? Three do and one does not, is that really any of your business?

Your House Must be a Mess Right? - Actually no. Just because I have four boys doesn't mean we never clean up.

Your Hands Must be Really Full? - You think? What is that supposed to mean though? Do I look like I can't handle it or are you just waiting for me to snap?

You Are So Lucky to Have Had Boys - Okay, so it isn't a question, but have you ever  tried to raise four boys that are close in age? You may not be saying that if you had.

Are You Going to Try For a Girl? - No. Do I look like I need more kids? Do I need a girl to fulfill my life?

I know there are more, but I can't think of them right now. Anyone care to share the silly questions you have been asked? Feel free to leave them in the comments below. I would love to hear that I am not alone.

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35 comments

  1. That is hilarious! I have 2 boys, ages 2 and 4 and i even get asked these questions. Usually, it's the "Are they twins" one. I know my boys look alike but clearly one is older and one is younger. I also get "you have your hands full" when I am walking with the double stroller and the dog. And of course "are you going to try for a girl?". 4 boys must be amazing!

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  2. Just wait till your preggo with surro babe...OH! You're trying for that girl! ugh

    I get this all the time, too. I used to get the triplets question, but not so much anymore. But I always get the looks of pity and "you're hands are full" stuff. And I have one less than you!

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  3. Funny! I have 2 boys that are 6 1/2 and 8 and for a long time people asked me if they were twins. My older son is noticeably taller than my younger son, and they don't look that much alike, so the twin comment always baffled me.

    I hear the "you must have your hands full" comment a lot.

    I have a daughter who is about to turn 2 and the funny thing that I hear EVERYWHERE I go is "You FINALLY got your girl! Congratulations! Good for you!" It's like a won a contest or something.

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  4. Ellie, 4 boys is definitely amazing most of the time lol. We have our days, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

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  5. You mean having the girl wasn't the prize? I am sure she is a treasure, but goodness, it is like I am going to perish if I don't have a girl.

    Rhea, I know! I can only imagine the pity looks or glances of horror I will receive when I am pregnant with the surro baby. I plan to get one of the shirts that say "Yes, I am pregnant, but don't worry, it isn't mine!"

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  6. I have identical twins and I STILL get asked if they are twins! I mean same height, weight, eyes, hair, noses, fingers and toes and yet people still have to ask! I also get the "hands full" comment and the "do you want a girl" question and when I tell them "No, I am the queen of my castle and I don't need a princess" they seem to get offended and that usually ends the conversation :)
    I love your blog and your boys are very handsome!

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  7. We have two girls (4 1/2 and 3,) a little boy (18 months,) and a little guy on the way. I've been asked most of the questions you have along with (while talking about our new little guy on the way,) 'On purpose?' I feel like saying, 'No. We haven't figured out what causes it yet.'
    We get, 'Oh! What a perfect family. Two boys and two girls. Are you getting your tubes tied this time?' First of all, no I'm not, and neither is he. Second, it's none of your business either way.
    And the other one that drives me NUTS is, 'How do you support them all?' Pregnancy hormones have almost gotten the best of me a few times with this one. It's pretty easy actually. I stay home and take care of my children. My husband works his butt off at a job you probably hate him for (police officer,) and we don't give the kids everything just because they want it and we don't want to deal with a fit in the store.

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  8. Thanks so much Tami! I love that you have twins and still get the question just like Rhea. That would be double annoying. I never wanted a girl, so I was very happy with what I ended up with. :)

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  9. You bring up some great questions that I forgot! I hate the "Did you finally find out what causes that?" question now that all my boys are older!

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  10. My 4 boys are 7, 5, 1 and I'm 33 wks along with #4. The "are you going to try for a girl" question bugs me so much. I'm still pregnant...give me a chance to birth this one before I decide if I'm going to have another child...but I won't be "trying for a girl." I'd be choosing to have another child.
    I also get the twins question about the 7 and 5 year old despite one being a full head taller than the other, and the "hansd full" comment all the time. What am I supposed to say to that anyway?

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  11. I have three boys and I hear this ALL THE TIME.

    Though, instead of triplets, I get asked if my 6 and 5 year olds are twins. And when I say no, they ask if my 5 and 3 year olds are twins. I say no and then point to my 6 y/o and 3y/o and say "They are."

    As for asking if I'm going to try for a girl, I shudder and say "Oh, God NO! What if I got one?" and then I make a horrible face.

    Obviously not how I think, but our family is complete!

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  12. OMG, the "same dad" question? What The???

    I have 2 boys, an they couldn't look any more different from each other so we never get the twin question - but the "gonna try for a girl" comes often. Um. No. I'm done, kitchen is closed, move along.

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  13. Shell, I love those responses. You are much quicker on your feet than I am.

    Unfortunately, I do get the same dads question. My youngest does have a different dad from the oldest three and his hair is a little darker, so I think that is why people as, but really? lol

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  14. LOVE LOVE LOVE this post. You had me spitting my coffee on the screen. You are so right, the average AMerican can ask some really stupid questions. Heck I might have even done something stupid at some point in my life too.

    Loved raising a boy, he is now 30 and raising his kids now. What I found amazing as a parent of a only child, we get stupid questions too!

    So did one make you scared and you stopped?
    Why did you only have one, is he a handful?
    Bet he will miss having brothers and sisters , who knows how it will affect him.

    Well, it affected him just fine (and his Mother was only child too and she's the "Shit". We actually made the choice to have one child-pretty intelligent parents who are you to question our choice? AND he was not a handful until his Dad and I divorced when he was teenager-which what kid doesn't react during divorce.

    Thanks for lots of laughs and reminding me of funny things when he was a kid.

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  15. My mom's favorite questions fielded:

    Why did you have so many children?
    Answer: We couldn't sleep.

    Why does number three look different from numbers 1 & 4?
    Answer: Different Milkman

    Do they get along?
    Answer: No they kill each other everyday - I perform CPR

    Is your youngest (a girl) spoiled?
    Answer: No she smells this way every day.

    My mother had a sense a humor that accompanied her iron will.
    All the best,
    Christopher
    @burgessct

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  16. People just need to learn to say nothing. Saying you have a nice looking family would go much farther than those crazy questions!

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  17. people really ask if they have the same dad? What is wrong with people??? How RUDE.

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  18. Crap I can't use I have boys as an excuse that my house is a mess? LOL..

    I will say cause they are young? Does THAT work??

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  19. Christoper, those are absolutely hilarious, your mom is an amazing woman!

    I agree Kelly, it would be better to say nothing.

    They sure do ask it Heather.

    Alison, that will work. :)

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  20. Thank you so much for this post! You had me definitely laughing this morning along with most of the comments from the readers. I have three boys (ages 6,4,and 2) and we are expecting #4 boy in just two months. You hit it spot on about when you go out in public, we get so many stares and the questions that we are asked sometimes border just being plain out tacky. Of course being heavily pregnant right now, we get a lot of comments about "is this one finally your girl?" or "Wow, you're hands are full". At the end of the day though, I feel truly blessed in life to be able to have four beautiful boys and life has taught me to be a comedian when coming up replies to some of the most ridiculous questions.

    Favorite question to date:

    Do you know how all of these kids are made? My reply: Nope, the bedroom did it. The living room did it..Yup, definitely the bathroom...sigh.. :)

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  21. Having four boys really is a blessing Veronica and you are one lucky momma too.

    Awww. Thanks Alisha! Your little one is pretty darn adorable as well.

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  22. I just have to laugh because my mother raised 4 girls, and had a complete stranger come up to her in the grocery store and say "two blondes, a brunette, and a redhead. How many times have you been married?" Mom told her "Never," and walked off.

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  23. Personally, I love messing with people, so if I'm having a bad day I don't mind one of these questions just so I have an excuse to snark at someone. My standard response to the, "Aren't you going to try for a girl," is, "No. Two autistic kids are enough thanks. No need to try for a third."

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  24. It must be because one is a baby, but I haven't been asked these yet, or had too many comments. So far it's just been, "Are you a good big brother?". I just hope his answer stays "yes" for a long time!

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  25. I am pregnant with boy #4 My boys are 5, 3 and 11 months and I am due in November. I was hoping for just one girl to be thrown in there but I have VERY healthy boys so no complaints. Just hoping to make it thru these first few years then laugh at my friends with teenage daughters...lol!!

    I also get the twin comment about my older two, who to me don't look alike. I say "yes two years apart" DUH there is only a foot difference between them.

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  26. Love that comment Kelly. I think that come the teenage years, we will be breathing easier. I can't imagine raising a teenage girl, not sure I have big enough balls for it.

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  27. On the other end of the spectrum, I have 2 girls. I get routinely asked "When are you going to try for that boy??" or "Oh, your poor husband" Um, excuse me??? POOR husband? You do know that girls are usually Daddy's girls, right?? I get no one out of this deal. Even better? When FAMILY members ask my kids if they would like a little brother. STOP asking them!! There are no more babies!

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  28. oh and I also get asked if my kids a) have the same dad (Lauren is blond/blue eyed, Jillian is brown hair/brown eyes). or b) if they're twins. Lauren is clearly 45 ish pounds, and much taller than Jillian who is only 26 pounds. :p

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  29. People are just weird sometimes with the crap they say. I've had they "do your kids have the same dad?" and "are they yours?" questions. Drives me insane.

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  30. As a mom of 4 boys myself, I feel your pain on all of these. I get the girl one constantly. Do I look like I need more kids? And with my luck, I'd get twin boys again.

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  31. I am a Mom of four boys, ages 10, 7, 4 and 3...
    I loved to read that is it not only me that thinks that people look at us as a freak show. And as far as all the questions, I've been asked every one of them... over and over again.... too funny..
    Thank you for sharing...

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  32. I have boys 11, 8, almost 2, and 17 weeks gestation. I really did want a daughter so thanks for the laughs! I needed them today. You forgot "Are you trying for a basketball team?" No, we are working on a foursome for golf, though.

    My favorite answer to the "Have you figured out what causes that yet?" is "Well, we have a system that's working for us..."

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  33. Oh my gosh! Thank you for posting this!! I, too, have 4 boys and have heard literally every question/statement above....

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  34. I also have 4 boys, three to one father, one to another :-)

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