Raising boys

I came across this blog on Pinterest and knew I had to share.  I have several mom friends that have boys and thought they might enjoy it!  You can find the blog here.     I am now on a mission to find the book that she talked about in her blog called Mother To Son, by Melissa and Harry Harrison.  Some of the things that she quoted out of the book really touched home to me.  I am going to copy and paste directly from her blog, but please go and read her post.


IN THE BEGINNING:

“Don’t forget that as a baby, he will always be looking for your face. It will be this way forever.”
“The more you talk to him, the sooner he’ll talk to you.”
“Relax. Throwing food is normal. Heck, throw back.”
“It’s okay if he falls down. What’s important is that he picks himself back up again.”

THE TODDLER YEARS:

“His tears will break your heart. So will his smiles.”
“If you make fun of him, he’ll learn to be shy.”
“He’ll continue to whine for as long as it works.”
“From you, he’ll learn the importance of telling the truth. Be a good role model.”
“Play catch with him. He won’t really care if you can’t catch a ball or throw a perfect pass.”
“Remember, your encouragement breeds confidence. It always will.”
“Don’t let his father forget that his son is still a little boy.”
“Don’t tolerate his tantrums. Ever.”
“Teach him how to set the table. This will amaze future girlfriends.”

 SPORTS:

“He’ll always look for you at his games. Sit where he can see you.” (Made me cry. No clue why).
“Remember, perfectly sane moms tend to freak out during soccer tryouts.”
“If he’s old enough to play, he’s old enough to carry his own equipment.”

GRADE SCHOOL:

“Remember, he’s probably hungry. Even if he just ate.”
“Teach him to hang up his clothes, even if it’s just easier to pick them up yourself.”
“When he dresses himself, tell him he looks great. Don’t worry about what others might think.”
“DON’T miss his school plays. Even if his role is ‘Tree #2.’ ”
“Talk to him about saving for the future. Give him a piggy bank.”
“Teach him to wipe his mouth on a napkin, not on his shirt.” (Love)
“The longer you baby him, the longer he’ll stay a baby.”
“If you discover HE’S the bully, realize something is very wrong. Usually at home.”

MIDDLE SCHOOL:

“Keep kissing him goodnight. Even if he doesn’t kiss back now.” (Crying again)
“Look him in the eye and tell him that if he ever starts doing drugs, his life as he knows it will come to an end.”
“Play Beethoven in the mornings. It will calm everybody down.”
“Don’t be upset that you can’t afford everything he wants. A small country couldn’t even afford everything he wants.”
“Do not let one single disrespectful comment slide. Ever. “
“He’s ready to learn about girls. He can either learn from you, or from MTV.”
“He will start using copious amounts of cologne. You might have to stagger outside for air.”
“Be a part of his world. Know what games he plays, what shows he watches, what music he’s listening to.”
“Don’t ask his teachers for special favors. They’ll think of your son as someone whose mom is looking after him. That kind of reputation will follow him for years.”
“If he complains other kids get a bigger allowance or more things, don’t give in. He’ll live.”

 GIRLS:

“If he becomes paralyzed when a girl says hello, you’ll know he’s discovered the opposite sex.”
“Don’t push him into a romantic relationship. Not now. Not ten years from now. Not ever.

HIGH SCHOOL:

“Remember you’re still one of his most important role models.”
“If he knows he can come to you with a problem, he will.”
“Learn the difference between supporting him, and rescuing him.”
“To your amazement, he will want clothes that cost more than his dad’s do. This is when you sit him down and explain the concept of getting a job.” (Love it!)
“He will want to talk at the most odd, mysterious, inconvenient times. Stop what you’re doing and talk.”
“If he does get a speeding ticket, don’t try to get it fixed. Send him to court. Wearing a tie.” (love)
“Remember if he smells odd to you, he smells odd to the world.”
“Remember, the stronger a mother you are, the stronger a man he will become.”

 I LOVED reading her post about Raising Boys!!  Boys are alot of fun, but they can be a handful!  I love the one about looking for you during sporting events.  Jackson does that.  He does that if he is just riding his 4wheeler.  He wants to know I am paying attention to him!! I also liked the one about eating.  Boys can eat now!!  I have NEVER missed a school play and only missed one sporting event.  It was Basketball and I was working at the time and going thru conversion so I HAD to be there.  I don't tolerate tantrums and they both know how to set the table!  I will baby them both as long as they allow me!!!  I still kiss them goodnight more than one time and when they beg for one more hug I always give them one more!  They don't whine.  It has never worked!!  Even though Jackson is old enough to play I usually carry his junk to the car.  They both know how to save!  Jackson saved and bought his own iTouch last year and at the moment he has saved $300 so far.  We talk about messing your life up with alcohol, drugs and bad decisions already.  He participates in Red Ribbon Week and has heard a few men preaching on youth night at Church about making right decision and how by doing something one time could mess up your whole life.  I wont allow disrespect.  When he is ready to learn about girls??????????????  ugh maybe Bart can do that one!!  We are a big part of his world and we know what games he plays and shows he watches and what music he listens to!  I hope come High School he still thinks of me as an important role model, come to me with problems, and knows the difference between supporting and rescuing!  If he does get a speeding ticket I will know its normal because me and Bart got them to!  About the clothes thing????  Stephen is 4 and already LOVES Under Armour!  Jackson is 9 and LOVES anything Abercrombie, Nike, Under Armour and anything with a big price ticket.  He LOVES expensive shoes, but he could care less about his pants or shorts!  But his shoes or shirts or jackets cost more than my stuff or Barts!!    


I can't wait to see if Walmart has the book!!