Ask any mom about having two boys and she’ll tell you there’s never a dull moment.

From picking on each other to protecting each other at school, there’s nothing quite like that big brother little brother relationship.

But what are the chances of having two sons, and are there any challenges with raising all boys?

In this article: 📝

What are the chances of having a boy?
What are the chances of having a second boy?
What is it like to have a little boy?
How do you deal with gender disappointment?

What are the chances of having a boy?

Unsurprisingly, the worldwide population figures on boys versus girls are a pretty even split.

According to the World Health Organization, the world sex ratio is 105 to 100 in favor of boys – in other words, a split of 51% boys to 49% girls. [1]

So, if you’re going off worldly averages, the odds are in your favor!

However, there is science to suggest that your chances may be influenced by your family history.

A university study showed that if a father has more brothers, he is more likely to have sons.

Likewise, if he has more sisters, he is more likely to have daughters. [2]

The study showed that the father has far more of an influence on this than the mother, thanks to those pesky chromosomes.

So if you’re trying to predict the future, look at your family tree.

Can I influence my chances of having a boy?

You may have heard all manner of old wives’ tales from heating up or cooling down the genitals to eating yogurt.

The truth is that there is no definitive way of influencing it, despite one theory suggesting male sperm are smaller.

The ‘Shettles’ theory suggests that male sperm have to swim harder to get to the egg, so it’s better to have sex closer to your ovulation date to be in with a chance.

Make of that what you will, but don’t harm your health trying to challenge science! [3]

What are the chances of having a second boy?

Again, there’s no need to be reaching for ice baths here – it all comes down to mathematics.

Quite simply, the more children you have, the less chance you’ll have of having all boys in a row.

If you have two children, you’ll have a 50% chance of having a second boy, based on the ratios above.

Then if you have three children, you’ll have a 25% chance of having all three boys, and a 75% chance of two girls and a boy or two boys and a girl.

Yes, genetics can play a part, but it all comes down to chance.

What is it like to have a little boy?

Your experience with having a baby boy will be completely different from somebody else’s.

The stereotypes tell us that little boys are naughty and love playing in the dirt, while dads love the idea of starting a football team.

But the reality can be quite different.

You’ll find that all small children, no matter what sex, can be just as sensitive.

Likewise, girls can be just as tough as boys – particularly if they have a sibling to defend.

There may be some scenarios in which a mother struggles when dealing with boys.

For example, broaching subjects like puberty may be uncomfortable for single mothers who have not been through this.

These women may appreciate a male perspective.

Then again, some women prefer to have boys as they do not have to deal with the same issues they went through growing up – starting their periods or buying bras, for example.

The truth is that there’s no right or wrong way to raise a boy and your circumstances will be entirely different from somebody else’s.

All you can do as parents is love him and promise to raise him the best you can.

The benefits of having two boys

The bond between two brothers is stronger than most, so it can be incredibly rewarding having two sons.

Not only will they give you hours of laughter as they play together; they can also look out for one another later in life.

This means you might even get the chance to take a backseat as caregiver – but they’re still your babies, of course. From keeping Dad’s football dreams alive to looking out for their momma, the benefits of having two sons are endless.

So if the balloon turns out to be blue, embrace it!

How do you deal with gender disappointment?

While we may not like to admit it, many expectant parents have an ideal gender in mind.

Again, this can be based on stereotypes – raising a miniature soccer star or dressing up a princess. Or, you may simply have a preference for your own reasons, for example, growing up with boys or girls.

Remember – it is just a feeling.

If you find yourself facing ‘gender disappointment’, first of all, tell yourself not to feel bad about it.

You will have your own reasons for wanting a child, and it’s natural to feel this way if your expectations have not been met.

But you may also want to ask yourself why you had your heart set on it.

For example, did you grow up without a male or female figure in your life?

Could you readjust and spend more time with friends who have male or female children?

Unconditional love

The majority of parents will tell you they all but ‘got over’ their gender disappointment as soon as the baby was born.

There is nothing quite like that moment of holding your child for the first time – and no matter what the sex, you know that you will love them unconditionally forever.

Having Two Boys: Chances and What is It Like