You know it is important to raise our boys up to be young men- that’s why you’re here! Responsibility is clearly a key factor in making sure this happens. However -I don’t mean having your son taking on the responsibilities of a man when he’s still a child.
What I do mean that sons need to be brought up with manners and an intuitive understanding of the difference between right and wrong. I can’t count how many young boys I saw in the mall while holiday shopping who were running all over the place and wreaking havoc in the stores. Kids will be kids and boys will be boys- but there is a line that should never be crossed.
I’m a single mother myself with a three year old son, Reid. I want to share some of the things that I have been doing with him and things I plan to do as he gets older to help him mature into a great young man. Hopefully these tips will help you or inspire you to instill similar values in your sons!
Life is not all fun and games
I am a huge believer in letting kids be kids. As adults we have so many responsibilities, and there is no need to rush boys into that too soon. Kids should be able to be out playing with friends, video games and toys. But I still have some tasks that Reid helps me with even at three years old. Before he gets ready to take a bath, he and I put all his toys back in the bin. I tell him which one to get and he goes and picks it up and drops it in. He laughs like it’s a game but he is learning to clean up after himself. Soon he will get accustomed to cleaning up after himself.
When he gets older I will ask him to take out the garbage and trust him to set and disarm the home security system when we go out. Kids feel empowered when you trust them to do things. They will grow up accustomed to being counted on to do things and to do them well.
Act right
I’m already teaching Reid to say “thank you” and “you’re welcome.” Working as a personal trainer has me at the gym and in contact with young men who are using the facilities. Some high school students don’t understand the concept of speaking with manners to a woman or any adult for that matter. I don’t blame the kids as much as their parents because they should be setting better examples. I want my son to be able to conduct a conversation with people and speak with manners even at a young age. As he grows up it will be second nature to him and I won’t have to remind him to say thank you.
Parents with a couple of kids should teach the older boys to look out for their younger brothers and sisters. When I was growing up, my mom always stressed—to my brother and me—how important it was for us to stick together and take care of each other. Even to this day he will call or text me to make sure I’m feeling good and eating right. I have to remind him I’m an adult but the teaching we got as kids has remained with us throughout our lives.
By Nan Gibbons, of the Eat Breathe Blog
