12.10.2025

Yesterday, the gods at Meta decided I needed a new pastime, so they flooded my feed with gender reveals gone gloriously, jaw-droppingly wrong.

I’m not talking about the explosive wildfire-starting kind—no, these were fails of a more emotional combustion variety.

Picture this: the confetti bursts, a puff of pink cotton candy smoke fills the air, and Dad immediately morphs into a toddler having a meltdown because someone else pushed the elevator button first.

There’s Stomping. Swearing. Storming away. One guy pitched the gender-reveal cake over a fence, and another, in a truly cringe-worthy clip, was caught screaming at his very pregnant partner. Imagine reacting worse to burst of pink confetti than to letter from the IRS informing you you're being audited. Yet, here we are.

Now, let’s be clear: these outbursts weren't made by an older sibling having a tantrum because they were banking on a brother (or in one case, a puppy). These are full-grown men—men whose own chromosomes played a major role in the “surprise.” But why let science spoil a perfectly good hissy fit – especially one that’s caught on camera for all two billion of us with social accounts to see?

Watching adult males unravel over something as fundamental—and uncontrollable—as a baby’s gender is both unsettling and disturbing. And, it raises a painfully practical question: how exactly is the expectant mom supposed to deal with the fact that her partner doesn’t want their daughter?

I get that some families still push the “carry on the name” game. Generational aspirations are real. But there is never a guarantee that a son will carry that name into the next in line. Meanwhile, more and more women keep their family name and pass it on to their children, so there's that.

But back to my original concern. What if Dad decides to leave because he’s not getting the son he wants? Or, he sticks around but never gets over his disappointment. What then? What kind of partner does that mother have now? What type of life is in store for each of them – and as a family unit?

Which brings me to the question I genuinely want to ask these guys:

Who told you a son was the grand prize?

If we’re doing reveals, why not try a Realistic Parenting Reveal?

Gender: Male

• Chance he’ll be a pro athlete: 1%

• Chance he’ll headline Coachella: 3%

• Chance he’ll love the same music as you: 5%

• Chance he’ll text you back when he’s 15: 2%

Still good?

I’ve been reminded - repeatedly - that I’m not a parent so I don’t get to have an opinion on anything related to babies, children and/or child-rearing, but the fact of the matter is that I do have an opinion, and here it is:

Children arrive in this wack-a-doo world with their own quirks, curiosities, and talents, no matter what the sonogram says. So, shouldn’t we be crossing our fingers that those itsy-bitsy newcomers arrive in good health? That they can go home without a detour to the NICU? That they make it through twelve years of school without being victims of a shooting? And most important, that they find love, peace, and acceptance in whatever way works for them?

Tell me I’m wrong.

Here’s a message for the those misguided procreators who only want sons. You don’t know what you’re missing.

Instead, let’s raise a glass to all the girl dads. To the ones who bravely pirouette their way through toddler ballet classes, tutu and all. To the ones who are mastering the art of hair styling, are saying “yes” to tea parties and who fold themselves into tiny recital chairs. A toast to the dads who coach girls' baseball, hockey and flag football and who spend Saturdays driving across town for a science fair, and Sunday afternoons baking cupcakes for dress rehearsal.

These dads know daughters aren’t consolation prizes. They’re passports to unexpected worlds—ones bursting with possibility not just for their girls, but for themselves as well.

And for the record: if you have a firstborn daughter—and I count myself among them—consider yourself lucky. Multiple studies show eldest daughters often grow into boss level leaders - at home, at work, and well, just about everywhere else. They're also the kid most likely to show up at the nursing home every week with your clean laundry, favorite snacks and a home-made charcuterie board for the staff.

So here’s some unsolicited advice for all the disappointed dads in those gender reveal videos: If you want a guarantee you’ll get exactly what you want, don’t have a baby. Order take-out instead.

*Isn’t She Lovely” is the title of a song written by Stevie Wonder, 1976.