Ok, don't get me wrong, I grew up in love with the singers of Duran Duran... not your manly men.

That said... am I going crazy or are we raising a bunch of sissies in the U.S.?

My DD13 went to Science Camp last year. We waited until the weekend before camp and looked at her list. Bought her some new shoes, packed her bag in 1 hour, and that was the end of it. DH helped buy the new shoes and let her borrow his flashlight.

This year it was SS12's turn to go to the SAME Science Camp, with the SAME exact list. DH and him have been preparing for this like he's going to Nepal. I have never seen a boy so worried about his person. Where is the bug spray? How do I apply the bug spray? What kind of bugs are out there? Should I bring a sleeping bag or a blanket? Maybe I should have more than one trash bag... Are you sure they meant a water bottle? Do you have some bottled water I could take instead? (this ended up in an 8 minute discussion, until DH was called in to read the llst AND DD was called to testify that they meant a refillable bottle, not bottled water).

Last night, DH starts in with wanting to drive SS12 to school separately instead of going with the carpool. I asked him why and he said "because he's carrying 2 bags". I said "you don't think a 12-year old boy can handle 2 bags? Who's going to help him at camp."

This morning, it went on... SS12, instead of being excited about going to camp, is worried. "They're supposed to give me breakfast, but can I have breakfast with you guys?" "Why?", I ask, "what if it's not as good?"... do DH, before I can respond, says "Ok, honey."

Then, I sent him outside with his bags to wait for the carpool. Because 60 degrees is not warm enough for him, he stares at me, blinking. I'm like "it's 60 degrees, you're wearing a ski jacket, for Pete's sake you'll be ok." DH glares at me. Then he runs out there to help DH put SS's two bags in the neighbors car for him. I'm surprised he didn't tail them in his own car.

Unbelievable.

Now SS12 is my good SS. I genuinely love him and we are affectionate. He's a great kid.

But oh my Gawwwwd! More worried about his blanket and person than my daughter ever was. More concerned about his person than I ever was.

I remember spending time outside. I was wearing roller skates or trying to skateboard with my friends. We fell out of trees, we scabbed our knees. We kept going (and I wasn't even a tomboy). These boys scratch themselves and create a needle-prick wound and they're running to me for a bandaid. They won't go outside and look at me as if I'm punishing them when I try to get them out there. They are afraid of bugs. They are afraid of their own shadows. They are very concerned about creams and ointments.

Some of this is BM. She still showers SS10 (cringe). I wonder if she'll continue when his pubs show up...

But my questions to you are:

Are we raising sissy boys?

Is it divorced families with pity-parenting dads?

Is it all U.S. families?

More importantly... what do I do to make sure my 4 year old son doesn't turn out this way? These guys did Boy Scouts and it didn't help at all!

My DD says to me at dinner last night: "Yeah mom, I'm not sure if I ever want to get married, but it would be nice just to have a normal boyfriend some day."

I remember thinking about all the freaks I dated in the U.S. before finding my man, and I got sad. I think a "normal boyfriend" is harder and harder to find.