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By Daniella Gray
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A woman has shared her honest account of what it's like to experience gender disappointment.
Blake Mason, 30, explained in a lengthy TikTok video that she'd always pictured having three girls but currently has one son, with another boy on the way—something which she's "still processing."
Acknowledging that this was a triggering conversation for people trying for a baby, Mason told Newsweek that she was "worried" about the initial backlash and believes that all children are gifts.
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"I never want to come off insensitive or not grateful for my baby... but it was worth talking about, and after hearing a lot of feedback, it's definitely more relatable than I thought," she said.
Mason went on to say in the TikTok that she first felt "really sad" after finding out that she was having another boy and began to panic that she would never have the opportunity to raise a daughter.
When asked how her husband felt about having another boy, Mason said he "mostly felt sad for me because he knew I'd love to raise a daughter but he's super happy for another boy."
Mason's experience with gender disappointment seemed to resonate with other TikTok users who had gone through the same thing.
One commented: "Feel this! I'm pregnant with my second boy too. I was so convinced the second would be a girl. I'm also grieving the fact that I'll never be able to raise a girl."
Another shared: "I'm 22 weeks pregnant with my second boy and feel the exact same. I get FEELINGS when I see women announce their baby girls. I am trying to practice gratitude I will have a healthy baby but it's hard."
Another weighed in and said: "I'm not even sure if it's gender disappointment. It's more like mourning the vision you had for your family, while still being extremely excited for the new baby!"
In the video, which has been viewed almost 60,000 times, Mason admits that she felt alone, guilty and crazy for having these feelings, but now that she's had time to process it, the mom-of-one said she's "stoked" about having two boys.
"I definitely think it's important to talk about," Mason told Newsweek.
"It's real feelings and I think it's always hard when anything in life doesn't pan out how you thought in your mind. It's usually better than you can imagine [and] definitely good to grieve stroke talk about what you thought your family would look like!"
If you have a family dilemma, let us know via life@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
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