How to help my boys be more well- rounded and understand the opposite gender better?

I am married and I have two boys, ages 9 & 5. I only ever wanted sons, as I have 8 nephews and was a tomboy growing up, (I "get" boys) so I felt like I lucked out.

But lately, I have realized that when I m thinking of activities for the whole family, they center around what the guys would prefer- usually something that involves adrenaline or physical activity- and I m realizing that in trying to cater to the majority, my boys rarely have to do anything that only mom wants or that boys with sisters would have to tag along to.

They don t have to go to craft fairs, need to patiently watch their sister s favorite fairy movie on repeat, have to participate in a spa birthday party, tag along to Disney s Princesses on Ice, and spend hours making bracelets at the table, etc. Instead it s reptile expo s, superhero movies, laser tag, monster trucks and hours of Minecraft! (I even feel like my femininity is being suffocated occasionally with all these testosterone centered activities!)

Now I wonder if I m doing them a disservice by not making them do acivities or go to events that they wouldn t naturally be inclined to. I wonder if I should be trying to push them to try things that are outside their comfort zone? If I don t, will they have a harder time relating to or understanding the opposite sex and having patience for interests if they differ from theirs? I don t want to drag them to a bunch of stuff kicking and screaming (that would be miserable for all of us)… What to do?

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