Easy Survival Tips for Living with a 12-Year Old Boy Inside: The secret to surviving life with your hormonal 12-year old boy and 3 must reads if you’re raising boys. {PLUS Free Raising Sons Cheatsheet} My 12-year old boy almost died today. That’s right, I almost killed him. … Read More »
3 Proven Ways to Homeschool LAZY Boys without Losing Your Mind Photo by Agnieszka Bladzik Sitting by a warm fire. Drinking coffee. In my jammies. Jealous? Don’t be. I just don’t feel like doing anything today. I have my lazy turned up to high. Since I am not characterized by being lazy, my family is simply pleasantly surprised that I am “chilling”. They are curled up with books or movies in this same room. Heaven. When dinner comes around, I will not win friends and influence people if I say, “I forgot to make dinner” though will I? Not in my house full of men. They want to eat:). Laziness is one of those strange things. It is so appealing on a rainy afternoon, like today as I write this. But laziness to the point that responsibilities are neglected is simply intolerable. photo by Seth Doyle Now three things personify laziness: A male lion lazing in the shade, An overfed house cat, And a 12-year-old boy…. Read More »
Boys: Messy, Loud, Combative, Energetic-Verbs Personified Are you a mom of boys? I am. I am the proud mom of five Messy, Loud, Combative, Wonderful and Energetic future men. My boys are “Verbs Personified”. (Combative- In this writing, I mean competitiveness to the extreme. Possessing a willingness to die for victory. A spirit of “all-in”. A determination that is indescribable) If you only have girls, I am not sure how much this one will apply to you, but please read on and share with your friends who have boys. I have spent a lot of time trying to stop myself from treating my boys like girls. I am very aware that boys are made quite unique from we girls. For the sake of this rambling thought, let’s agree on a few things first. … Read More »
Emotional Boys? What is a Mom To Do? Dear mom, You son is blessed to have you. You are hand picked by the Creator of the universe to guide and direct this future man of God. Ask the Lord for wisdom, because I can assure you that the Lord’s plans for your emotional son Is the same as yours. What works for my five boys when they hit emotional spurts (and they all do): Don’t coddle through the over emotion. Hug and love lots, but not through anything that resembles a meltdown. I turn off the TV and electronics. I continue to be amazed at how quickly technology sucks the boys of their ability to cope, be kind, or simple listen. Yes, they watch and play but it is limited and is the first thing to go when they are a teary mess. I get them around their daddy. Quickly. (Or another godly man). Strong men like my hubby simply do not put up with whiners. I have found that I can raise boys, but my husband mentors men. Put them to work. “Many hands make light work”. Boys need to work hard and feel needed. They also can tell when they really contribute to the group or are being pacified. We have given our boys chores from the time they could dump a bun of toys! (If you can dump it, you can be coached how to put it back:) Pray. This is so key. We are not men. We are emotional beings and love to dig in to the why behind emotional outbursts because that is what God wired us to do. The Lord has always spoken clarity to what each son has needed during his emotional state. **identify the heart issue. So far, my older boys have hit their biggest emotional state at around 12. Lord help me, I have another son almost 12. Confusion has been the catalyst for almost all emotional outbursts with my oldest three. They get confused about something, that pricks their pride because they should know they answer right. Then they lash out emotionally. Teaching boys to say something like, “hm, I don’t understand… Can you explain it again, or a different way?” Has been life changing! That’s my 2 cents. Dear Jesus, Help us moms of boys seek You for counsel, wisdom, and direction with each and every one of our boys. They are so unique and wonderful. You know exactly what they need. May we seek wisdom from each other, but only allow what is from You to stick and stay in our minds… Amen! You may also enjoy: My Son Almost Died Today. “Your 12 Year Old Son is becoming a man. See the Captain America within him!”