Jennie Garth: 'I Want a Boy Every Day'

John Scuilli for use on CBB

Calling husband Peter Facinelli a “very hands-on” dad, actress Jennie Garth counts her blessings, telling OK! “he’s just a rare find, so I’m really, really lucky.”

Peter speaks of Jennie in equally glowing terms, crediting his wife of almost nine years with teaching him patience, something which comes in handy while raising Luca Bella, 12, Lola Ray, 7, and Fiona Eve, 3. “I’m in a house full of women,” he notes.

“To be in a house full of women — I have three daughters, and I’m surrounded by women — you need a lot of patience, I think. Maybe that’s my lesson in life — to learn patience.”

When the girl power is too much, even for Peter, Jennie says she’s often alerted by the sound of a motorcycle revving. “I’ll know he’s had enough estrogen for one day and he’s gotta get out of the house,” she explains. “There’s a lot of hormones going on right now in my house.”

As for whether or not the couple will someday up the testosterone quotient, Jennie remains conflicted. “I want a boy every day,” she admits. “Yes I do. I love them.” At the same time, the 37-year-old 90210 star acknowledges that she has been “so fortunate” with their daughters, she’s hesitant to “push that envelope.”

“You think, ‘I have three healthy, great kids, and I’m so lucky’ that I would be scared to have more. But I would be willing to take the risk. I do want a boy.”

Source: OK!

– Missy

Comments

Awww, I love this family! It’s not often you hear a celebrity voicing their opinions on wanting a particular gender. Having all the same gender myself, I can appreciate what she is saying!

- Karen on December 11th, 2009

I can understand what she is saying too. And it is relieving to see a celebrity acknowledge this!

- Jessi on December 11th, 2009

it’s also refreshing to hear her say “You think, ‘I have three healthy, great kids, and I’m so lucky’ that I would be scared to have more.” that’s exactly what I thought after having my two.

- berjoui on December 11th, 2009

I just had a second daughter and I would love to have a boy. We all ‘want’ something, it’s just nice to hear someone admit it.
I have two sisters myself and believe me, I am thrilled that I have two little girls who I hope will be good friends as I am with my sisters.

- Mari on December 11th, 2009

I feel like such a horrible person when I think that I don’t want a son. Yes I would be thrilled if the baby is a boy, but I still would like to have a daughter. It isn’t that I’m trying to replace my daughter because I know that isn’t possible, but I would like to have a daughter. I will be shocked if the baby is a boy. This is the first time that I’ve admitted that…

- Jessi on December 11th, 2009

that’s funny.. i have two girls and was secretly wishing for a girl when pregnant with my second and think i might wish the same for a third haha but would love to experience a boy too… i could honestly say if i had three i would be excited either way – that after wanting two girls. i love having girls!!!

- lele on December 11th, 2009

I would love all daughters personally, 3 or 4 girls would be my dream come true! I guess if I got to that point though I could see myself thinking maybe I’d like a son. Not sure!

- Natasha on December 11th, 2009

Aww, it must be bittersweet to have that ache for a certain gender but still be thankful of what you have now. I think her little girls are absolutely gorgeous.

-meream

- All Women Stalker on December 11th, 2009

I know it’s not always considered nice to say either way what you want for a baby but I did NOT want a daughter and I was so delighted to get my little boy =)
I want a girl in a few years but I’ve been so drawn to little boys for some time now and just knew I had to have a son.

- Sarah on December 11th, 2009

I think she will have another sooner or later. And I hope it will be a boy.

- Sarah on December 11th, 2009

After the day I had with the little one’s I watch…I’d take a girl any day over a boy! lol

But I think if she is meant to have a boy she will and if not it just wasn’t in her cards.

- JMO on December 11th, 2009

If I ever have kids, I hope they’re girls! I have a great relationship with my mom and my own sister. My mom was thrilled to have two daughters, and now my sister and I feel the same way!

- B.J. on December 11th, 2009

I have a son and we’re going for another one soon. I want another boy badly. I want my son to have a brother. However if I had a girl, I wouldn’t be disappointed. In the long run I know that chances are that little girl would be my companion in my older years. When my son’s out there doing ‘manly’ things with his dad someday, I’ll have my girl to keep my company. Even if it’s to go visit her or help her with her kids one day. So, it’s a blessing either way. I don’t blame Jennie though. I hope she has her boy one day. My own mother has 2 sons, 2 daughters and she says EVERY woman should know how it feels to have BOTH a son and a daughter. She says it’s a blessing to have both.

- Lily on December 11th, 2009

Oh, I really, really hope she has another baby! And I think it’s awesome that she can express gender preference. Sometimes, we can get so P.C. but who cares? This is how she feels! She loves her little girls to death and knows how lucky she is to have them but there is no harm in saying that you want a baby boy! Kudos.

- Stephany on December 11th, 2009

i have 3 boys and 2 girls and am very very grateful that i get to experience both. but most people i know are just as happy with whatever they’ve got. but it is lovely to have both and i couldn’t imagine saying that i think either sex is easier than the other, they’re just different….

- JM on December 11th, 2009

i think she might have a boy one day, her girls are beautiful haha that boy would be so lucky to have 3 older sisters to protect him

- Milla on December 11th, 2009

It’s so nice to have all the posts talk about it being completely normal to have a preference for one or the other!!!

I have a 2 year old son, and desperately wanted this baby to be another little boy so my son would have a brother. SHE is due to arrive in March…. and I’m honestly more nervous about being a mom to a girl than I was when becoming a first time mom!!! You love them all the same and you end up getting what you were meant to have… but it’s refreshing to see that we can all be honest and admit that we have/had a preference!!!

I’m secretly hoping this baby girl of mine hates pink girly things as much as I do!! =o)

- soon2Bmomof2 on December 11th, 2009

I know how they feel I have three daughters too. I want a boy too but the hubby is right you have to be patient. lol

- shevon on December 11th, 2009

soon2Bmomof2: I wish you the best with your daughter! I hope if I have a girl she will be very girly. But then again I was and still am extremely girly.

- Jessi on December 11th, 2009

Jessi, don’t feel like a horrible person. I also feel the same way! I myself want 3-4 girls partly because I grew up surrounded by girls and I am extremely girlie. I can’t picture myself raising a boy because I wouldn’t even know what to do! I know everyone says “boys are easier than girls” but I feel the complete opposite! I would like a girl first before a boy, but if I do have a boy, of course I would be thrilled! I would just be so nervous and not know what to do! lol. I hope you get what you want! Congrats!

- Barbie on December 11th, 2009

I forgot to add…

I love Jennie and hopefully we will see her pregnant in 2010! She is a terrific mom and a boy would be good for the family.

- Barbie on December 11th, 2009

I bet she’ll have another and I hope she gets her boy!!I bet she thinks she would be like brooke burke!..lol..I am fortunate to have two girls and a boy.My husband wanted a boy so badly…

- lisa on December 11th, 2009

I just love reading posts about this family, they are just so wonderful! I am jealous of Jennie, Peter sounds like the perfect guy!

I myself want only girls. I would be happy with a boy, but for some reason I only picture myself having little girls. I wouldn’t know what to do with a liitle boy lol. I guess it’s up to mother nature to decide if I have all girls, a girl and a boy, or all boys rofl!

- Elyse on December 11th, 2009

How is it that after 2 girls, Jamie Oliver says how much he would love to have a boy and he gets slammed every which way on this blog for not appreciating what he gets and how bad it would be if he ends up having another girl (which he did) and that girl ends up reading what he is saying and feels sad that he wanted a boy and then Jennie says she wants a boy and everyone says how much they understand and can relate? I don’t get it.

- Becky on December 11th, 2009

My favorite celebrity family! Their girls are beautiful.

Jessi – I was pretty much the same way. I really wanted a girl and when had found out that is what we were having I wanted to jump up and down. It’s normal to have a preference – I think most people do. We would have been delighted to have a boy, but I won’t deny really wanting a girl!

- Brianne on December 11th, 2009

soon2bmomof2… i was where you are now about a year ago. One insanely gorgeous little guy and all i wanted was a brother for him (how cool to be the mom in a family of boys… the way they just adore you, must cuddle you, try to protect you etc etc is so special).

BUT it was not to be… the day i found out #2 was a girl i retreated to my bed and hoped wildly that she would not be a suri cruise (the thought just freaked me out… pink? purple? glitter? fairies? not. my. scene.) But… eleanor grace arrived and cast her spell on me AND her brother… and turns out she is a Ben 10 fan after all so no pink…. although turns out i loathe lurid green just as much

- carys on December 11th, 2009

Barbie, I couldn’t imagine having a daughter til we had one nearly two years ago now as I was a tomboy and was worried about how I’d handle a girl, but you do when you’re in it! Can’t imagine life without her now of course. Cliche, but true! I love having a little girl and feel fortunate to have 1 of each, most people we know have two or more of same gender and they are keen to try for the opposite sex so feel lucky to hit the jackpot, as it were, with our two. Not that having kids of the same sex is a negative thing, long as they’re healthy it’s a blessing anyhow, but feels like a bonus for us personally. Having said that, if we’d had a 2nd boy would love that child (boys and girls both great, pros and cons, advantage of one of each, experiencing both gender diffs) and not know any diff and find it odd to inmagine a girl of course…

- Sam and Freya's mum on December 11th, 2009

Becky, I was just about to post that! I feel like on here it’s not OK for celebs to say they want the same gender as themselves (like Jamie wanting a boy), but somehow it’s ok for a woman to want a son…? I think BOTH is JUST FINE. We all, or most of us, have a preference however slight at some point in pregnancy.

I had always wanted a little girl, but I just knew soon after I was pregnant that we were having a boy. We didn’t find out the gender till he was born, and when my husband told me we had a son I was so happy. Now, I’m all set for our second child (whenever that happens!) to be a boy and I can’t imagine having a daughter. I think I’d like to adopt a girl eventually but it’s just funny how we end up loving what we get

- marfmom on December 11th, 2009

I had 2 girls; then was fortunate to have 2 boys (ten years apart; the boys). I really hope Jenny and Peter “go for it.” To me, there’s nothing like having a son. One of mine is more on the quiet side; the other more boisterous!!

- Joy on December 11th, 2009

Thanks Carys and Jessi!!

I’m very excited to meet this little girl when she arrives and I know that we’ll have the best of times together even if I have to learn to be girly and love pink!!

I do agree with Becky that it isn’t fair that people think it’s great for a mom of 3 girls to say she’d love to have a boy, but to bash a dad of 2 girls when he said he hoped his 3rd was a boy. I’m sure Jamie Oliver loves all 3 of his daughters equally….. but there is NOTHING wrong with stating your preference for one or the other before the baby arrives. My daughter will someday know that her mommy wanted her to be a boy…… but she’ll also be filled with the knowledge of knowing that her mommy wouldn’t trade her for a boy any day!!

- soon2Bmomof2 on December 11th, 2009

Little story here..I wanted 2 boys and 1 girl. Boys need more 1 on 1 interaction, while girls are quite content to play by themselves. So I would want a brother for my boy. And a girl for me. So I can be her playmate and do her hair and play dress-up and cook together. And while we are doing that, the boys can keep each other occupied.

But that isnt the way life worked out. I fell pregnant at a young age, so I knew if I were to have more kids, there would be a HUGE age gap. So, thinking it would be my ONLY child, I wanted a girl! It was not to happen. I got a boy. An only child boy no less. Needless to say, he drains me so much. The games of cops and robbers are a bore (to me). But at the end of the day when he is sleeping, the love flows thru my body with a warm fuzzy feeling. I thank my lucky stars everyday that I had sex when I did and didn’t get an abortion. While I still DESPERATLY want a girl, if I never get one, I am ok with that too! =)

- Amity on December 11th, 2009

I’m a total girly girl, so would love to have daughters. But I would also love a son, although I would want a girl first. But any baby of mine would be a total and utter joy, regardless of gender

- Maddie on December 11th, 2009

I feel a bit like Jenny does. I have a son and a daughter, but still feel like someone is missing…but I have that worry too…I already have a healthy happy family and worry sometimes that I am asking/hoping for too much happiness! There is nothing wrong with wanting a boy or girl- it depends on how you voice that desire…and most parents are just happy to have a baby after 9 months of pregnancy or ages spent waiting for a child to come to your family. Do/did most of you worry a lot about adding to your family when you already had healthy children?

- Stepha on December 11th, 2009

I very much wanted a daughter and was fortunate to have her. Had I experienced another pregnancy, I really wanted a son, but it didn’t happen. I hope Jennie & Peter make it work for them.

- mp on December 11th, 2009

I am DYING to have a daughter. My mom and I are extremely close and I would love to have that relationship with my own child. I would also like my daughter to have a sister. I have two brothers. My mom has a sister and I was always jealous of their relationship (she and my aunt are 10 years apart and me and my aunt are 12 years apart). We’re like the three amigos and my daughter can make us a foursome!!

- I♥CBB on December 11th, 2009

Barbie and Brianne: Thank you! You put my thinking away that I’m a horrible person. I now know that it isn’t a problem to have a preference.

Becky: I also do agree. I think it is a huge double standard!

And soon2Bmomto2: You are so welcome! Congratulations again!

I still only really want girls, but as long as the baby is healthy I would be excited, but much prefer girls because I know what it is like to be a girl lol. And I also know how I wouldn’t be able to be very boyish with my boy. But I don’t know. I go back and forth. I only have brothers, so I kind of know how boys work, but I also have cousins who are little and girls and I know how girls are like too. I just want my daughter!

- Jessi on December 11th, 2009

I <3 CBB: My aunt is 7 years older than I am, 12.5 years younger than my mom and we are like the three amigos too! lol That is why when I got pregnant I hoped that I also had a girl. She already has 3 girls, with the youngest being a year in 5 days. But my daughter would go pretty much everywhere with me, her daughters stay home with their dad.

- Jessi on December 11th, 2009

If i ever have kids… i have always wanted boys… or a boy ..i have already chosen names and everything … in the last few years i have gravitated to the idea of wanted boys instead of girls… there’s so many girls already in my family

- lulu on December 11th, 2009

I don’t mind when I hear people expressing gender preference, but I have to take issue with some of their reasoning. So with a houseful of girls you need a lot of patience? Is a houseful of boys a breeze then?

I have a teenage son, 8 nephews (ages 3 – 20), and one 4 year-old niece. I spend a lot of time with my nephews and having multiple boys requires a ton a patience too. I’ve had to grit my teeth through dangerous horse playing, broken furniture, and physical fights with between the teens. The younger boys bicker and tease each other endlessly especially in small spaces such as the car.

I think people are kidding themselves when they declare that one sex is “easier” than the other. It really depends on the personality of the individual child and not so much on their sex. However, I’ve noticed that with most women their sons can do no wrong while they’re more demanding of their daughters. Maybe it’s just the built in dynamics between males and females.

- shemari on December 11th, 2009

Becky – I totally agree, I was just reading through these comments in amazement. Why is it that when a man expresses a preference on the sex of his child be it boy or girl, he is slammed as being gender biased, but when a mum does, it is refreshing and ok?

I love Jennie Garth and hope she gets her wish for a boy, but I think we all need to stop and take a deep breath the next time a dad expresses his wish for a particular sex before jumping on our high horse.

- Mel on December 11th, 2009

Completely and totally agree Becky and Mel!

- Natasha on December 11th, 2009

I think it’s human nature for people to want both boys and girls at one point or another, so it’s not surprising after 3 girls she would want a son. She already experienced having daughters, common sense a boy would be nice the next time around. I always thought she would have a 4th child, but I think it will be another girl. Some people I have always looked at and felt they would only have boys or just girls. Like victoria beckham, gwen stefani, britney, I think if they ever have anymore kids it would be another boy, I can’t picture them with girls. And jennie and peter I picture them with a 4th girl. Not everybody is meant to have both sexes though, so just gotta be happy you can have kids at all and that they are healthy.

- luciana on December 11th, 2009

Aew she wants a little Peter

I know off the top of my head three women with three or more boys or girls who’d given up having that “dream” baby only to have their very last baby be either the boy or girl they wanted.

Maybe adoption might be an option later down the road?

- RIP Michael on December 11th, 2009

Jessi-My aunt has three girls too. Her oldest is about to be 21 and has just had her first baby girl in Nov. Her middle girl is 14 and her youngest is 9. We’re the same way. They do their own thing and my aunt and I do our thing. I just want my little girl to join in on the fun. I CAN’T WAIT!!

- I♥CBB on December 11th, 2009

I <3 CBB: I totally understand! Her daughters are younger though!

- Jessi on December 11th, 2009

It is SO nice to hear people wanting boys! I feel like all I hear lately is how everyone wants girls, girls, girls. I was beginning to feel like nobody wants boys anymore, so it was nice to see this article (and read the comments).

- Anna on December 12th, 2009

I think the problem with men wanting boys is that we’re so used in the past to men wanting boys for the wrong reason, not to raise a boy or because they love boys but just to carry on the name, or worse because “boys are better/more worthy than girls”. I know it’s NOT the case with Jamie Oliver but that’s why it usually rubs people the wrong way. Because we unconsciously take it as “girls are worthless”

That said, I’m very, vry happy to read all those comments where no one is slamming people for having a strong gender preference. I know I really want a daughter too, I don’t care what my first child is because I would love to have a boy as well and I think big brothers are cool, but if after my second I have 2 boys I think I’ll be worried that I might not get my daughter.

- Alice on December 12th, 2009

I have two daughters and i feel sooooo happy! I always wanted to have daughters, and IF someday i get pregnant for the third time, i will love to have another girl =) (but my husband wants a boy lol)
Anyway, all that matters is to have healthy babies, but as somebody posted before, is completely normal to have a preference for one or the other.

- sil on December 12th, 2009

AAWWWWWW, that’s so sweet that she wants a little boy, I love that she wasn’t afraid to say it. I am truly blessed with a boy and a girl and I love having one of each so I understand where these moms are coming from.
#46, you’re right about people wanting girls. I’ve found girls are 10 times harder to raise, not just from myself but from everyone I know. Boys are so laid back. Here’s a perfect example: I give my 5 yo son what he’s to wear that day, he puts it on and goes to play. I give my 3 yo daughter what she’s going to wear that day and I get grief, she wants to pick out her own outfit and after a lot of arguing and crying and 3 outfit changes, we end up with a dance outfit!!! Stress every morning with a girl. Boys rock!!!!

- Mary on December 12th, 2009

I think many of the women who don’t want boys because they won’t know how to raise them should get at least one boy. I have all boys and I wanted girls, but knew I would get boys. It’s really opened my eyes up to the male gender. When you’re a teenage girl, you only see puberty as this tough thing for girls but boys have it hard too, something I never would have experienced if I didn’t have sons. There are so many eye-opening experiences like that when you have a child of the opposite gender. It also breaks down many of the stereotypes. Boys like trucks and rough-housing but every boy I know loves to draw and be creative. Girls like dolls and pink, but every girl I know loves to run around and get dirty too. I do agree with one poster though that while gender does have a lot to do with the behavior of a kid, their individual personalities dicate if they’re hard or easy. My three boys are alike and completely different. I’m sure it’s the same with daughters.

- Jaz on December 12th, 2009

Like Jennie, I have 3 girls. When I was pregnant with my 3rd, I so wanted a boy badly. I was a bit disappointed to learn my 3rd was another girl but now, I’m happy with my 3 girls. Wouldn’t ask for anything else. Would I try for a boy? Nope. We are done. Don’t think I can deal with 4 girls. LOL..

How’s a house full of girls? It’s emotionally exhausting sometimes. I think boys are physically draining (just looking at my friends with 2-3 boys) but girls… it’s a different kind of exhaustion. LOL..

I just can’t wait for the teenage years. A house full of teenage girls. It’ll be fun. *groan*

- sri on December 12th, 2009

We also need to remember that it’s not always the same people commenting. Especially if it is not about the same celeb there are going to be completely different people commenting.

- Anna on December 12th, 2009

It seems a bit hypocritical to me that there are people praising her for wanting boy. There have been so many other posts about parents wanting a certain sex and they get slammed for voicing it. Quite interesting indeed. I have a boy. I am hoping that I will be blessed with another child. I think it would be fantastic to raise a girl and have the experience of raising both. However, I just find boys so much fun and since I have never experienced raising anything but a boy I would be a bit intimidated by a girl. That said………I would fall in love with whatever sex I was blessed with and most likely do a happy dance!!!!!!!

- Carie D. Snowbarger on December 12th, 2009

“just gotta be happy you can have kids at all and that they are healthy.”- Thank you, Luciana, as someone who cannot have children, all I have to say is Amen. Not to slam anyone, but as someone who cannot have children is does get a little distressing hearing people who are not happy with the gender of their child, or going to great lenghts to have another child when they already have one, two, or more. I would love to have A child, don’t care what gender it is and don’t care if they ended up being the only child I had. The ability to have children is a gift and a privilege, one that not all of us have. It is not a given right.

- Kimberly on December 12th, 2009

I knew I had to have a girl!! Once I had her (my first) i didn’t care what the next was. I had my girl. Now, if the first had been a boy I would have been thrilled (I had all sisters) but still would have worried that I wouldn’t get my girl. Now I have two girls and they are truly best friends already.

- Riley on December 12th, 2009

I’m glad to see this hasn’t turned into a post attacking her for being open about having a preference. My first child was a girl and while I was pregnant with our second I SO hoped for another little girl. I grew up with a brother 5 years older than me and was always so jealous of my friends with sisters. Even as an adult I feel pretty alone as far as family goes since I’m not very close to any of my immediate family. I was beyond happy when we had girl #2 20 months after our first. But I also admitted that I wanted a son and knew #3 would be our last, and now we’re expecting a little boy (with a little help from shettles…or maybe coincidence) A lot of people think because we got 2 girls we wanted a boy, but I wanted my 2 girls more than anything, and I want my son more than anything.

- Amanda on December 12th, 2009

I have three little boys…6,3, 11 mo. I have wanted a little girl had her name picked out since I was a little gal myself. I was outspoken about wanting a girl. I cried for days after I found out I was having my last son. I then went online to find I was not alone. I love Isaac my youngest. He makes me laugh everyday. It doesn’t mean I don’t still want a girl. My doc has said another pregnancy might put me in a wheelchair permenatly. I have a condition like ms and am only 29. So I understand her and we love our children. There is nothing wrong in voicing a hearts desire as long as you don’t make your children feel that had they been a different gender you would have loved them more!=)

- Shelly on December 12th, 2009

I know exactly how she feels! I had 3 girls and desperatly wanted a lil boy, I lived and breathed it, accidently got pregnant again and had a beautiful darling baby boy!! His sisters adore him ! Wouldn’t trade my 3 girls for anything but so happy we got our boy to!!!

- mia on December 12th, 2009

I’m so happy to be having a happy conversation about this!

- Jessi on December 13th, 2009

I have 3 girls myself, and couldn’t be happier about it! I love having little princesses to do girly things with and being able to dress them alike is a so much fun. If we ever decided to have another baby, I’d have to disagree with Jennie and say that I’d love to have another princess

- GEAUX SAINTS on December 13th, 2009

Well.It really is up to everyone themselves if the gender of the baby really matters or if you would be fine with either one.But the reasons of having a special gender shouldn´t be that facile like: “I like girls better because you can give them cuter names” or “I can dress them in cute princess dresses.”

I think there are WAY more important things…*rolleye*

- Donna on December 13th, 2009

It isn’t that you can give girls cuter names or anything. It is that I can’t figure out how to raise a son right at this moment. Also I just feel that it would be better to have a girl at this moment in my life. I don’t care what you think of me for it though. I know what I want in life. And I know that I want a family quite close to me and my siblings. I was the oldest, then my three brothers. But that doesn’t say that I would NOT love a son for anything.

- Jessi on December 14th, 2009

Just to make one thing clear: This comment wasn´t meant for you but for all the mothers who ARE thinking girls are better because you can give them cuter names or dress them nice and to be honest: There are many moms who said that.I don´t care if you think otherwise,this comment wasn´t meant for you.So calm down.;)

- Donna on December 15th, 2009

i think we all need to remember that regardless of how many kids you already have the odds on the sex of the next baby is always 50/50. that is just the true science of it. having 3 girls does not increase the likelihood of having a boy or of having another girl. that is determined at conception every time. no matter how much you want one sex or the other you cannot control it. and it is the male chromosomes that determine sex of babies since they have an x and y and women only have 2 ys. i think you should just feel blessed with the kids you have and love them the best you know how.

- sarah on February 3rd, 2010

PETER FACINELLI GIVE THAT WOMAN A BOY! Get producing so we can see mini pfachs running around Jennie just do whatever it takes, i hope he gives in one day.

I have 5 boys and i want a girl no luck so far, my husband is like more kids? YES defo I’m only young got a long way to go before i stop having kids

- Anonymous on February 13th, 2011