Being a mom to three little boys is a bit like what I imagine it would be like to hang out with a rowdy band of pirates.
They’re usually dirty and quite loud.
Bad table manners aren’t surprising.
Looting is commonplace(especially of their brothers’ belongings).
Someone is always digging for treasure(even if it’s the nose or pants kind).
Scars and battle wounds are expected.
Someone usually wants to make someone else walk the plank(or be kicked out of the playroom).
There’s always a chance of mutiny(against Captain Mom).
They're all saying "Argh..." And yes, I lost my mind and bought those swords for them.
Let’s just hope no one loses an eye and needs that pirate eye patch.
Argh. Being a Pirate Mama is hard work.
Melissa says
February 20, 2012 at 7:31 amHard work, indeed, but look at those cute faces– you hit the mommy motherload 🙂
Now get ye to swabbing the decks! haha
Shell says
February 20, 2012 at 11:28 amI do need to swab the deck. I wonder if I can make them do it…
Galit Breen says
February 20, 2012 at 7:55 amHee! Hard work, indeed! But oh my, who knew little boys were such loves?! Adorable photo! 🙂
Shell says
February 20, 2012 at 11:28 amThanks- they were in love with their swords!
Jackie says
February 20, 2012 at 7:57 amI’m jumping in full force to Pirate Motherhood, as my almost 4 yr old little GIRL asked for a Pirate party! I’ve been debating the swords.
Shell says
February 20, 2012 at 9:01 amI figured they can’t really hurt each other with these ones- and they were in the dollar spot at Target!
Oka says
February 20, 2012 at 7:59 amlittle boys are so much fun…I will take all those things you listed over a girl’s attitude any day 😉
Shell says
February 20, 2012 at 11:28 amThey really are a blast.
Kmama says
February 20, 2012 at 8:21 amThey look so happy in that picture! 😉 Raising little boys is definitely like having a band of pirates!
Shell says
February 20, 2012 at 11:29 amFigured you’d relate!
Rosemary says
February 20, 2012 at 8:27 amPirates also revel in the moment, take no prisoners, know how to live, love, laugh. What a way to live.
Great job, Captain Mom.
Rosemary
Shell says
February 20, 2012 at 11:29 amYou put it perfectly!
JDaniel4's Mom says
February 20, 2012 at 8:31 amI have extra eye patches from the two pirate birthday parties JDaniel has gone to. Let me know if you need them..
Shell says
February 20, 2012 at 11:29 amHopefully, I won’t need them! LOL
Adrienne says
February 20, 2012 at 9:08 amLOL!!! Digging for gold!! Bahahaha! Love the swords. Great post!
Cindi says
February 20, 2012 at 9:09 amCute photo and great memories Captain Shell. (LoL)
Shell says
February 20, 2012 at 11:29 amThanks! They are having fun being pirates.
Natalie says
February 20, 2012 at 9:11 amAwww they must have so much fun together! Nolan is all boy so I’m sure I have some of this in my future!
Shell says
February 20, 2012 at 11:30 amMine are all boy, too. It’s exhausting- but fun.
Kim says
February 20, 2012 at 9:12 amYou are a cool pirate mom. I can see you dressed up in a wench outfit (I bet your hubby can, too). 😉
Shell says
February 20, 2012 at 11:30 amHa! I’m sure he’d love that.
KLZ says
February 20, 2012 at 9:22 amGlad my kids aren’t the only ones digging for gold
Shell says
February 20, 2012 at 11:30 amIt’s so common that I barely even notice it any more.
Angel says
February 20, 2012 at 9:29 amLove the picture, they are adorable. Just a little FYI they don’t change much as they get older, mine still pretty much act exactly the same , just add girls in the mix and it completes the picture.
Shell says
February 20, 2012 at 11:31 amI’m a little scared of adding girls. They can’t like girls til they are 30.
The Mommy Therapy says
February 20, 2012 at 9:38 amI am losing my mind here with my boys’ obsession over all things sword or weapon of any kind. Being a Mom of boys definitely requires you to dig deep for the calm and find peace with the roughness. I really hope we don’t go to the store where you bought those because I will never hear the end of the requests for them.
You are a good pirate mom!
Shell says
February 20, 2012 at 11:31 amActually, you might want these- they came from the dollar section of Target and they can’t actually hurt each other with them. Better than what they usually hit each other with.
Alison@Mama Wants This says
February 20, 2012 at 10:02 amI’m a future pirate mom 🙂
Shell says
February 20, 2012 at 11:31 amAnd you will love it!
Jen says
February 20, 2012 at 10:05 amI can totally relate. My boys love to play pirates and rescue their ‘princess’ 🙂
Shell says
February 20, 2012 at 11:32 amThat is so sweet!
No princesses here… except maybe me. 😉
Farrah says
February 20, 2012 at 10:13 amI love being a pirate mom! Well, most days anyhow. I could totally do without the digging for gold though. Ugh.
Shell says
February 20, 2012 at 11:32 amThat part, I really could do without!
Evonne says
February 20, 2012 at 10:14 amAs hectic as it can get, I love being a Pirate Mom. The only thing I don’t like are the battle wounds you find that have no explanation. I’m still trying to figure out how my son cut his head the other day!
Shell says
February 20, 2012 at 11:32 amMy pediatrician calls those “healthy little boy marks.”
Eve says
February 20, 2012 at 10:23 amSo true. Yeah I’m a pirate mom too, despite having only one pirate in the house. Two if you cound daddy. And I would!
Shell says
February 20, 2012 at 11:33 amOh, he definitely counts!
Kat says
February 20, 2012 at 10:47 amThat is the perfect pirate picture! 🙂 And yes…that is exactly what raising boys is all about. Bless you for doing it three times over!
Shell says
February 20, 2012 at 11:33 amI love it… though it might have something to do with me stopping at three kids.
Tina @ Life Without Pink says
February 20, 2012 at 10:50 amOMG you are so right! Love the photo!
Shell says
February 20, 2012 at 11:34 amThanks! They had a blast with those swords!
I was watching them and thought oooh, post. File under “you know you’re a blogger when…”
Rhenee Berger says
February 20, 2012 at 10:51 amHA!! GREAT analogy!
Shell says
February 20, 2012 at 11:34 amThanks. Thought it was appropriate!
julie gardner says
February 20, 2012 at 10:51 amYou aren’t crazy.
You’re the PERFECT mama for those three boys.
I really want to work in some “Ahoy, Matey!” line but nothing is sounding authentic.
Still, either way? This makes me want to wake my kids up and hand them swords.
Kind of.
Shell says
February 20, 2012 at 11:35 amWell, they are very soft foam swords- better than what they usually hit each other with.
Tiffany says
February 20, 2012 at 11:09 amTehehe…. Love this! I just spent the weekend with my nephew, and left amazed at how different boys and girls are!
Shell says
February 20, 2012 at 11:35 amTotally different!
I love being around my nieces, but it’s a different world!
Jackie says
February 20, 2012 at 11:11 amI am a mom to 1 boy and this is after 3 girls. There are times (lots of them) where I am completely lost and have no idea what I’m doing or if he’s on track. I just keep moving on day to day and hope for the best!
Also…. I’m thankful that I have 1 boy and 3 girls instead of the other way around.
Shell says
February 20, 2012 at 11:36 amHa! We get used to what we have.
After 7+ years of only boys, I don’t know what I’d do with a girl.
Courtney @ Chaosisus says
February 20, 2012 at 11:17 amAs a mom to 3 boys myself i completely agree with everything you just said 🙂
Shell says
February 20, 2012 at 11:36 amYou totally get it, then!
Being a boy mom is like its own club.
Courtney @ Chaosisus says
February 20, 2012 at 11:38 amIt totally is! We need like a secret hand shake and a password!
Shell says
February 20, 2012 at 11:42 amOr maybe its own drink!
Loukia says
February 20, 2012 at 11:21 amSo, so true! Being a mom to boys is the hardest job ever! They’re totally like pirates.
Shell says
February 20, 2012 at 11:36 amIt really is- and so exhausting!
Karin @Mommy's Paradise says
February 20, 2012 at 11:23 amYay for letting your boys play their games. Well done to get those swords. Sail this ship Mamma. 🙂
Btw, I love the drawing on the wall, shows me I’m not the only one with a painter.
Shell says
February 20, 2012 at 11:37 amOMG! I was trying to figure out a way to get a pic w/o crayon on the wall in the background, but that’s pretty much impossible here.
stephanie @ babe's rockin' mami says
February 20, 2012 at 11:28 amI have a little pirate at home too! Pirate Moms Unite!!
Shell says
February 20, 2012 at 11:37 am🙂 It’s fun, isn’t it?
Charlie says
February 20, 2012 at 11:55 amAs a newish mom of two boys I just love this post. I’m excited for the adventures that await me as a pirate mom!
Shell says
February 21, 2012 at 9:12 pmThey will keep you busy, that’s for sure!
Jessica says
February 20, 2012 at 12:32 pmOh I love being a boy mama, so much more than I thought I would. Are those swords still all in one piece?
Shell says
February 21, 2012 at 9:13 pmOne of them ripped last night. That’s the downside to having them be made of soft material.
Mel says
February 20, 2012 at 12:46 pmAwe, but they are super cute pirates!
Shell says
February 21, 2012 at 9:13 pmThey definitely are. The little stinkers.
MiMi says
February 20, 2012 at 12:49 pmHaaa!! Super fun post! From one pirate mom to another, “Aye, Matey! It’s gonna be a long day, arrrrgh!”
Shell says
February 21, 2012 at 9:13 pmIt’s always a long day, isn’t it?
Jen {at} take2mommy says
February 20, 2012 at 1:09 pmSuch a cute post. With 2 boys of my own I can totally relate…especially to the looting and digging for gold 🙂
Shell says
February 21, 2012 at 9:13 pmAh, the digging for gold. It makes me crazy.
Life As Wife says
February 20, 2012 at 1:24 pmThis post makes me smile!
The good news about being a pirate mom? There is rum!!!
Shell says
February 21, 2012 at 9:14 pmOh yes!!! How could I forget the RUM?????
Missy | Literal Mom says
February 20, 2012 at 1:29 pmSo darned cute!
Shell says
February 21, 2012 at 9:14 pmThanks, girl!
Jennifer says
February 20, 2012 at 1:35 pmI have swords all over my house. Including a “Pirates of the Caribbean” sword that makes clanging noises when you step on it.
Shell says
February 21, 2012 at 9:14 pmOh, my boys would love that!
molly says
February 20, 2012 at 2:14 pmWe have swords too! And a pirate scarf! I can definitely relate, mama!
Shell says
February 21, 2012 at 9:15 pmMine love all things pirate.
And all things boy-related. I have to be extra girly to make up for it!
Heidi of Operation Organization says
February 20, 2012 at 2:31 pmTRUTH!! 🙂
Can completely relate!
Your long lost bloggy friend,
Heidi 🙂
ps -(wonder woman wannabe is about to sign off…)
Shell says
February 21, 2012 at 9:15 pmWelcome back! 🙂
Jenn [ Crippled Girl ] says
February 20, 2012 at 2:35 pmlol too cute 🙂
Shell says
February 21, 2012 at 9:15 pmThank you!
Practical Parenting says
February 20, 2012 at 3:15 pmI’m always in awe of you….one boy and a sister who plays like a boy keep me running. I just can’t imagine!
Shell says
February 21, 2012 at 9:15 pmHa. It’s not like I have a choice. 😉
Emmy says
February 20, 2012 at 3:17 pmLol! You are so right– espeically the digging for treasure part- I have one in particular who is always on the look out for treasure
Shell says
February 21, 2012 at 9:15 pmMine have no shame about it, either.
Jayme says
February 20, 2012 at 3:44 pmRyan would be happy to share all his eye patches with your guys if necessary LOL
Shell says
February 21, 2012 at 9:16 pmWe might need some of those!
Jessica says
February 20, 2012 at 4:24 pmI have no idea what it’s like to be a pirate mom but I think you are doing a great job at it. Especially since you bought swords for the kids.
Shell says
February 21, 2012 at 9:16 pmAnd I don’t know what I’d do with girls! LOL
They had a blast with those swords, though.
susie says
February 20, 2012 at 5:14 pmYes it is a lot like being a pirate isn’t it? Boys are so busy and gritty! Mine are now young men and I am looking forward to some grandsons some day!
Shell says
February 21, 2012 at 9:16 pmI have to confess that I will probably hope for granddaughters at some point!
Nicole says
February 20, 2012 at 5:27 pmI hear you, sister. I hear you. There’s always lots of loud noises and farting going on.
Shell says
February 21, 2012 at 9:17 pmOh, the FARTING.
My boys were having a contest the other day. The one with the worst-smelling fart would be the winner. I don’t know who won, but I can tell you that I lost by having to be around it.
Emily says
February 20, 2012 at 7:00 pmI imagine how difficult it is. I just have the one girl and whenever I’m around boys I definitely see the difference.
Shell says
February 21, 2012 at 9:17 pmSuch a huge difference!
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
February 20, 2012 at 7:38 pmBoys are just wired for that kind of thing. No wonder you just roll with it.
Shell says
February 21, 2012 at 9:18 pmIt’s easier not to fight it.
Teresa (Embracing the Spectrum) says
February 20, 2012 at 8:34 pmAdorable picture. Swords would be quickly removed in this house. DANGEROUS swinging action would commence…
Shell says
February 21, 2012 at 9:18 pmThese ones are super soft, though. They almost can’t hurt each other with them(unless they aimed right for the eye).
Carolyn says
February 20, 2012 at 8:48 pmThis is a fun post, and a great photo. If you are a Pirate mom, then I am a Princess mom.
Shell says
February 21, 2012 at 9:19 pmOh, I love that!
Making It Work Mom says
February 20, 2012 at 10:21 pmThey are the cutest things ever.
Unfortunately/fortunately my Princesses can whip my Pirates butt (he has a soft spot white neither of them do.)
Shell says
February 21, 2012 at 9:19 pmA strong girl. 🙂
MommaKiss says
February 20, 2012 at 10:30 pmDon’t forget making ya walk the plank.
Yer hearties!
Shell says
February 21, 2012 at 9:19 pmYour pirates and my pirates would have fun together.
And would destroy a lot of things.
Kimberly says
February 21, 2012 at 12:29 amI’m a boy mom too. I never thought I’d figure this thing out, but now? I couldn’t imagine it the other way!
Shell says
February 21, 2012 at 9:20 pmSame here.
I always thought I’d have at least one girl. But, I love being a boy mama.
Jessica says
February 21, 2012 at 1:20 amThey are so cute! We bought the same swords for our boys…although they have already torn them up.
Shell says
February 21, 2012 at 9:20 pmOne of ours is torn. I tried to go replace it, but they are all gone!
Heather says
February 21, 2012 at 6:50 amLove the swords!!! I see this in my future as the two boys get older. They do love to scream and run around like crazy already. At least I have one older girl to help swab the deck. We’ll train them as they get older, LOL!
Shell says
February 21, 2012 at 9:20 pmI figure they’ll hit each other with something, might as well be something soft!
Sorta Southern Single Mom says
February 21, 2012 at 6:57 amI recognize the colors in that particular brand of Pirate Sword!
We were just having the bath discussion last night. The Girl was not happy when I reminded her that it was she, herself, who said on the way to gymnastics that she would need a shower when she got home because she always got sweaty!
Shell says
February 21, 2012 at 9:21 pmMy boys fight baths.
Or at least, they fight actually getting clean in the tub. They’ll get in, but they just want to play.
imperfectmomma says
February 21, 2012 at 9:20 amThats awesome. 🙂 I bet there is rarely a dull moment
Shell says
February 21, 2012 at 9:22 pmNever a dull moment!
Barbara says
February 21, 2012 at 10:37 amHard work is right. But think about how awesome it will be when they bring home that buried treasure! 🙂
I love the comparisons, dirty with bad table manners is only the beginning I see.
Shell says
February 21, 2012 at 9:23 pmOh, that’s true. I should send them out on a treasure hunt for me!
Useless Anxieties says
February 21, 2012 at 11:23 amAnd I’m pretty sure pirates probably also had little regard for accuracy in the bathroom…
Shell says
February 21, 2012 at 9:23 pmSo incredibly true.
Unfortunately.
Lady Jennie says
February 21, 2012 at 3:53 pmThose swords are the best thing ever because they’re foam and they can get all their aggression out. I’ve bought them for my kids twice!
Shell says
February 21, 2012 at 9:23 pmMy pediatrician once recommended getting something like this!
Lourie says
February 24, 2012 at 12:11 pmSounds a lot like my house and I have two girls to one boy. hahahaha. Girls can be mean.