BOYS SHOULD BE BOYS - WEEK 4 CHAPTERS 5 - 6

BOYS SHOULD BE BOYS: 7 SECRETS TO RAISING HEALTHY SONS by Meg Meeker, M.D.

I don't know about you guys, but I really enjoyed these chapters. I am excited to hear from you all about your thoughts on the idea of what we consider the American, stereotypical teenage boy and the author's claim that we have "lowered our expectations." I'm onboard with that thought process. There is no doubt that hormones come into play and our teenagers are stepping out into bigger life arenas. They're establishing themselves. They're deciding their life pursuits, interests, changing their thoughts on girls (from gross to attractive), etc, but they are capable of so much when attitude is not an option! I think back to stories in history, and there was an understood expectation of responsibility. Lives depended on it!

I do feel like I need to pause and say I love the teen years and the opportunity to launch the kids part way out, and yet be there to help them navigate where they need help!

I loved Dr. Meeker's clarification on the difference between the brain and mind of our boys. I see this so vividly in my own son!

The parental support/encouragement really hit home with me. I am definitely spending some time in self examination over this one. I hope I'm good at encouraging my son. I hope my son knows I'm his biggest cheerleader. I try and pay attention when he wants it. I try and make direct eye contact with him. I would definitely view it as a failure if my son left our home thinking he was an afterthought to everything else going on in my life. Actually, I'm going to say even more importantly is what his FATHER thinks about him. Isn't it interesting how we keep coming back to this?

Wasn't the winning section telling? After going through basketball season not too long ago this chapter was so informitive. The questions of Am I good enough? Where do I fall in the lineup? Man, couple that with the whole emotions section and a lot is being revealed and understood. The young man who recognizes his emotions and processes them correctly will go far in this world!

There is definitely lots to think about here! Let's hear your thoughts!