Daughters dance. Sons...do what sons do.

It's strange to me really, how a boy and a girl can love so many of the same things, but love them so differently.


For Christmas, we got a new dog.  Not a puppy... Puppies have to be trained.  We wanted one set in his ways, one that knows not to chew on MY furniture or mess on my floor.  One that already knows the ropes. And with that came one that expects that same respect in return.  We have learned each others boundaries.  He doesn't mess on my floor, and I don't move him from his nap spot until he is ready to be moved.
The kids are In love with this dog.  His place is beside one of them for bed each night.  He knows he is loved; but that boy pesters him to no end.  It has gotten to the point where if the boy gets within 5 feet of the dog, a low rumble begins to emanate from deep with in the dog...a warning... "boy, one day, you're gonna lose your face!!"

But they have their moments.  

My daughter on the other hand, cherishes and pampers the mutt. Feeding and loving, brushing and cuddling she makes the dog feel loved.  

Here is the heart of it.  Girls know how to be gentle.  Girls intuitively KNOW how to be gentle.  Boys can be gentle, but they must learn gentleness.  They have to be taught to be content with stillness.

Saturday was date day.  I spent the day with the boy, while my wife spend the day with the girl.  For date night we flip-flopped.

My day was filled with nothing but requests for... no.. begging for.. a hearty wrestling match.  I was happy to oblige.

From off the top ropes!!

My evening, on the other hand, was a quite dinner, complete with dancing, toasting and picture frame making.  It was gentle and still. 

 It was in the words of my daughter, "not a good night, a GREAT night."  

The boy went jumping at the bounce house.

Both love and crave the same attention from their parents.  Both Need that attention.  But given in the same way, would never meet them where they need to be met.  Daughters need the dance; sons need what sons need.