Lessons From This Week's Headlines

Every once in a while, there's a lesson I want my sons to learn from the news. This week's lesson?

When it's time to go home, it's time to go home. Gracefully.

A boy must learn to discern when it's time to go home, literally and figuratively. When he's young, that could mean walking away when a suspicious plan is hatched -- even among frineds. Later it could be a matter of pulling away from friends who are headed down the wrong path.

Another lesson?

When you have your "day in court," show up instead of trying your case in the public eye.

A boy likely has to show up when he's hauled into the principal's office, but there's nothing to stop him from talking on the playground, trying to make himself look good. Boys need to learn to put their mistakes behind them and not let those errors define their character. If they have support from home, they'll be less likely to feel they have to justify themselves elsewhere. Mom, support him by forgiving. Help him learn from his mistakes and build up positive behavior.

For the love of boys,
Laura

All Boys Should Grow Up With...

There are a few essentials that all boys should grow up with. These essentials are even more essential in a house of multiple boys. The following are a few suggestions. These apply to different ages, of course. You don't want to supply your toddler with some of these items, so as you read them, think age appropriateness. If you're a boy mom, I'm sure you could add a few! Leave a comment and let me in on your boys' essentials.

After raising four of them, I feel all boys should grow up with:

• Sticks, rope, and boxes - Oh, the creative fun that can be had!
• A copy of The Dangerous Book for Boys by Hal Iggulden
• A strong male role model
• A shelf full of books (more on those later)
• His own Bible
• Brothers!

If you're reading this post, you likely have no choice on that last one. But do realize that, in spite of exasperation at times, having brothers for your boys is a real blessing. And if you work to help them appreciate each other as they grow, it will be even more of a blessing. Most guys don't have friends like women do; they may have one good friend to our five. As my sons grew up, several of them expressed disappointment in those they thought were friends. I often found myself saying, "I think your expectations for friends may be a bit too high. No matter how good a friend he is, he'll never be like a brother."

So, foster those brother relationships. More on that later, too. And leave a comment. Let me know about the boy essentials in your household.

Life as a Boy Mom

Most of us set out on the parenting journey with high hopes and expectations. We pray for a healthy baby first of all, but tucked behind that prayer is usually a gender expectation. I grew up with one sister, and I always thought it would be nice to have a smattering of both blue and pink in my household. I had no frame of reference for multiple boys, but that's what I got!

Yes, that's what I got -- four times. I have four wonderful sons and life has been an exciting and, at times, an exasperating journey. But I wouldn't trade it for anything.

My hope is that this will be a place of help, encouragement, and inspiration for boy moms. Here's my best advice for the mother of multiple boys: Tumble out of bed expecting a crazy day. Then you'll never be disappointed.

For the love of boys,
Laura