“Bro’s Before Ho’s” No Mo

There was a time, and that time may be longer for some than others, when you abided by one simple rule when it came to allegiances, "Bro's before ho's." First off, let me make something really clear: The use of the term, "Ho" is in no way meant to degrade females, poke fun of ebonics, nor is it meant to lump all "whores" in one category. It is merely a term used in this phrase because it rhymes with "bro's". Plus, the only other possible phrase that includes a manly trait, a womanly trait, and a rhyme is "Dicks before chicks" and that just sounds like something else all together.

Ok, now that we have that squared away…back in the day, things used to be simpler. When faced with a dilemma like: A) Do I go to the bar with the guys, shoot some pool, then catch the baseball game or B) Do I go and watch a chick flick, window shop at Crate and Barrel, and then go get dinner

{mosnooad}The answer was simple. You hid behind the unspoken BBH rule. And this wasn't some arbitrary rule that had exceptions. This was iron-clad. Even if that night of Crate and Barrel and Meg Ryan ended with some action, you still chose your crew over your screw. And that takes a lot for a guy.

But then something started to happen. It happened over a period of time but it snuck up on you like Storm Shadow did in G.I. Joe. You began to make exceptions. You began to actually like shopping for candles. You halfway enjoyed watching Bridget Jones. The loyalty to your peeps were slipping away.

So why did this happen? How could it happen? It would be easy to say it was because the woman in your life started cracking the whip and you were too weak to stand up to it. That may be true for some but not for most. What happened was your priorities changed. I, Noodad, am hear to tell you that is ok, man.

You aren't selling out just because you skipped poker night to help address Christmas cards. You aren't weak just because you rather go to the mall instead of sitting at home with your hand in your pants. So are you feeling a little better now?

Great. Now comes the bad news. When you have kids, your bros now come third. Now Bro's before Ho's is transformed to Ho's and Kiddos before Bro's. This is not a recommendation, this is a rule. It is a rule that if not fully accepted (as early as the predad level) you will be in for a lifetime of disappointment.

Let me be clear, this does not mean you will get stepped on the rest of your life. It just means you can't take as many liberties with your bro's as you used too. So even though there will be no more making plans to hit the bar after work while your wife and kid are at home. There may still be some pre-cleared "bro" events that you can work into your schedule. The sooner you accept that fact, the happier you will be and the more fulfilled you will feel.