Raising Boys

The last decade has seen heightened interest in and awareness of the issues surrounding boys in most of the western world. It is common knowledge that boys lead the way in all the wrong statistics, including; problematic behaviours, learning difficulties and health problems. Educators and professionals around the world are looking for ways to cater for and engage young males.

Approval and high regard lie at the heart of raising happy, well-adjusted boys. Boys are approval-seeking creatures. They craved to be liked, loved and appreciated ? particularly by their mothers and other significant women in their lives. They also want approval from their fathers, which can be a tough ask.

Yes, boy's behaviour are often in your face and direct. Subtle, boys are not. But at least you know where you stand with boys.

Yes, they can be dirty, scruffy and smelly but scratch the surface and you will reveal a gem underneath.

Yes, they are often more boisterous and active than girls but don't mistake boisterousness with aggression. Provide them with the space to be active and give them ways to channel their energy in productive ways.

Yes, they are more prone to solving social problems physically than we would like but their verbal skills need to be worked on a little harder. They need to be shown how to resolve issues verbally rather than told how to do it.

Yes, they are developmentally not as advanced as girls but we need to aware of this when we decide the age they should start school. Boys who start school on the before five years of age often have an uphill battle compared to girls who can have a twelve month edge on them maturity-wise.

Yes, some boys have difficulty getting organised and will invariably have messy bedrooms, desks and leave clothes lying around but they need step-by-step advice (as well as some lists and a willingness to repeat instructions) about how to manage themselves and their schedules.

Yes, boys are not strong at reading the signs that others give and can say and do the wrong things in public or at school. But we need to encourage them to stand back and look (or think) before they leap (or act) so that they can be a little more intuitive.

Yes, they are not the world's most avid readers but we can account for this by reading to them and making it fun, giving them more male role models who read and provide alternative ways to gain information other than books.

Yes, boys don't work as neatly as girls in school but they are usually more task oriented and can't see the point of such processes. Computers are a huge help for those boys who struggle to produce neat, tidy work with neat, tidy borders.

Yes, boys can be clumsy socially but they form friendships around shared interests and are less likely to exclude people from their friendship circles because of something trivial such as the clothes they wear.

Yes, boys play for keeps when they play competitive sport but it is the way they push themselves rather than prove themselves at the expense of others.

Yes, boys have a different pathway to adulthood than girls ? they become adults by proving themselves so even simple games of sport can become a test of their mettle. We need to provide them with safe proving grounds so they don't have to resort to illegal or dangerous ways of testing their masculinity.

Okay, so this maybe a biased, Pollyannaish view of boys but to successfully raise and teach boys we must understand and work with the gender differences. And above all us you must LIKE them.

Michael Grose is The Parent Coach. For seventeen years he has been helping parents deal with the rigours of raising kids and survive!! For information about Michael's Parent Coaching programs or just some fine advice and ideas to help you raise confident kids and resilient teenagers visit http://www.parentingideas.com.au

---

Spelling Games

The following spelling games can be used by parents to... Read More

Raising a Tobacco-Free Kid

We begin forming healthy habits at a young age. With... Read More

End Babysitter Abuse

Not many things are more upsetting than discovering that your... Read More

Teaching Your Child Safety

Q. What is the best way to teach safety awareness... Read More

How To Entertain A Child While Working From A Home Office

There is no doubt that the benefits of being a... Read More

A Call For Fathers

Dads, please let me encourage you to change some things... Read More

Play the Ball, Not the Man!

As parents and teachers, sometimes we want to praise, at... Read More

The ADD Child: Challenging Parents, Teachers and Friends

The ADD child exhibits a series of behaviors that are... Read More

So, The Thing Is... Im Feeling A Little Guilty

So, the thing is? I am feeling a little guilty.I... Read More

Child Safety at Home

Maintaining a safe home environment for your childrenAs adults and... Read More

Playground Pettiness

Recently I took my two children to a popular new... Read More

What is Hyperactivity in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?

Most of the ADHD kids that are seen in a... Read More

Let?s Google and Yahoo Our Kids? Education

I love Google and Yahoo. With Google and Yahoo I... Read More

Childs Play: Treating The Insanity of the Mental Health System

In today's mental health system there is a pattern of... Read More

War Declared On Instant Messenger: How to Stop Your Child from Wasting Their Life Away Online

Hey Parents! I hate to tell you, but there is... Read More

Dads, Give them Household Chores

You have a chore to do around the house, and... Read More

Raising Happy Diabetic Kids Part III Help Your Child Develop Self-Control

This is the third and final article in a series... Read More

Powerful Tips for Increasing Your Childs Self-Esteem

Here is a list of ways to convey the message... Read More

Help Your Children to Love Reading

It is so important to create an environment that promotes... Read More

Advocating for Your Child with LD

Advocate: you've probably heard the term before. But what does... Read More

Are You Frustrated With Public Schools?

Join a growing number of parents and teachers!Fact: Last year,... Read More

The Great Baby Name Debate

Winifred or Willow? Thomas or Troy? The name you choose... Read More

Pay Attention! Its Your Most Important Job

Anyone can become a parent; there are no tests or... Read More

The Cost of Competition on Kids

The subject of competition is one that provokes some pretty... Read More

Childhood Obesity

Economist John Kenneth Galbraith has said that more people die... Read More

The Top 10 Tips for Communicating with Children

Most people have more training before they receive their driver's... Read More

Adderall and Its Side-Effects

Adderall is a stimulant medication used in the treatment of... Read More

Be Serious With Your Child Future

As a parent your biggest responsibility is to prepare your... Read More

How To Teach Your Children Courage

Courage means doing the right thing when it is hard,... Read More

Bath Time Fun

Bath time can be fun or it can be a... Read More

The Top 5 Reasons Why Unwed-Parents Must Establish Paternity

"It takes a village to raise a child" is more... Read More

The Ten Most Common Poisons Among Kids

For parents, keeping our kids safe is a constant top... Read More

You Goofed? Hip, Hip, Hooray!

Certainly we all want our children to excel. But it... Read More