How many times have you heard, I wish there was a manual for parenting? If there ever was a book to help guide you through raising your son, understanding your grandson or nephew or answering all those questions you have about the boys in your classroom….this is it! I felt like I was reading about my own son which was often reassuring but also many times reminded me there are other ways, better ways, to handle sticky situations. And I’m not just talking about when his cheeks are covered in peanut butter.
The authors know what they are talking about but don’t make the reader feel like a fool for not understanding their child’s actions and behaviors. They approach raising sons as an art, not science. I could read a section and immediately see how I could incorporate it into my own home. Two very important points they make and that I highlighted then circled:
· "Understanding how boys develop is foundational to our ability to care for our boys well, and it can diminish our worries and concerns as our boys pass through different stages."
· "It’s important to understand that what a boy gets, or doesn’t get, at one stage of his development will directly affect how well he will transition to the next stage. The reason that so many men struggle relationally, emotionally, and spiritually is not a lack of intelligence or morality. It’s the effects of having not reached key developmental milestones; of being rushed through one stage to another; or of simply skipping entire stages altogether."
I pretty much highlighted the whole book so I won’t even leave a bulleted list of some of my notes. You must read this book, seriously. It will remain as a resource for our family for many years to come. And some days, depending on the battlefield that lay before us, it may be a weapon.
I read this book a couple years ago and have started to read it again as my son is entering a new phase and I need a refresh.
Boys are much more complicated than we give them credit for being. Hold on, it’s a bumpy but fun ride!
The authors know what they are talking about but don’t make the reader feel like a fool for not understanding their child’s actions and behaviors. They approach raising sons as an art, not science. I could read a section and immediately see how I could incorporate it into my own home. Two very important points they make and that I highlighted then circled:
· "Understanding how boys develop is foundational to our ability to care for our boys well, and it can diminish our worries and concerns as our boys pass through different stages."
· "It’s important to understand that what a boy gets, or doesn’t get, at one stage of his development will directly affect how well he will transition to the next stage. The reason that so many men struggle relationally, emotionally, and spiritually is not a lack of intelligence or morality. It’s the effects of having not reached key developmental milestones; of being rushed through one stage to another; or of simply skipping entire stages altogether."
I pretty much highlighted the whole book so I won’t even leave a bulleted list of some of my notes. You must read this book, seriously. It will remain as a resource for our family for many years to come. And some days, depending on the battlefield that lay before us, it may be a weapon.
I read this book a couple years ago and have started to read it again as my son is entering a new phase and I need a refresh.
Boys are much more complicated than we give them credit for being. Hold on, it’s a bumpy but fun ride!