Training Up Sons to Be GREAT Dads and Husbands in the FUTURE

I looked at my 20 year old and asked, “Hey! Can you braid my hair really fast?”

The color drained out of his face and he fumbled like someone who is fumbling. (creative, huh?)

We were getting ready to go on a hike and I decided to throw him off balance a bit and asked him to braid my waist length hair.

oh, he tried. He had no idea how to part the hair, how hard to tug, or what to do.

I thought it was funny. But then it hit me.

I haven’t fully prepared him to be a great hands-on dad someday… I better get busy.

I announced to the boys, “This summer I will begin preparing you for daughters, granddaughters and nieces. You will learn to…”

• Shampoo & condition hair (properly rinse)
• Use detangler (for knotted hair or in between)
• What kind of comb to use
• Comb out wet hair
• Create a straight part
• Brush hair without tears
• Single ponytail- centered in back of head; not too tight, but tight enough to stay
• Double ponytails; even
• Simple bun
• Single braid
  
  They panicked a bit.
  
  
  Today, I kicked off their training by having them play “rock, paper, scissors”. My youngest son “WON” the ability to comb out my soaking wet hair. He was such a good sport.
  
  We talked about combing from the bottom of the hair, wide toothed combs, conditioner, and detangler. Then I taught him how to part hair and tuck it behind ears for air drying.

Walking them down the aisle, means something different for boys

Color drained from my teenaged son’s face as I stopped in front of the feminine products, “This will be NOT BE THE ONLY the time we stop to talk about these products in the store…”

I’ve never seen kids move so fast out of an aisle at the grocery store.

Mom, preparing boys to be future husbands includes teaching them how to walk confidently down “that aisle”.

It wasn’t until my youngest son hit 13 that I realized I had neglected talking about girls hygiene, haircare, and feminine products. I quickly apologized and am dedicating the summer to get the four boys in the house “up to speed”, because it’s my job to help them understand these things.

They’re not all clueless.

When I told my 17-year old, “I’m gonna be taking you to the store to learn about what your future bride will need for her period,” he interrupted…

CHOCOLATE

Then he added, “Although I think it’s super important to know if she’s a dark-chocolate, semi-chocolate, or milk chocolate woman.”

It’s easy to get so caught up in the daily tasks of life:

• Cleaning up your room
• Schoolwork
• Being kind to siblings
• learning to drive

We should also include those subtle and delicate subjects that equip our sons for their future girls. But make it as fun as possible along the way.

PROTIP: When you take your sons to the tampon and pad aisle, talk about it before you get there and let them know each lesson will last less than 30 seconds.

Pause, point, instruct, then let them bolt. Oh, and buy them a donut. These kinds of lessons deserve a sweet reward after they endure with as much dignity as they can muster.

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