Raising Godly Boys Minute

We can learn something valuable about our sons from Peter Pan.

In her book Boy Talk, child psychologist Dr. Mary Polce-Lynch makes an observation about the Lost Boys in the story of Peter Pan.

These boys are seemingly living the dream. They have no parents, and no school–  just adventures all day long. But interestingly, they still long for one childhood comfort– the bedtime story.

As your son grows up...

How can we raise boys who love adventure?

Here are a few simple ways to encourage boys to not always play it safe but develop their God-given spirit of bravery:

Encourage outdoor family activities that involve a healthy level of risk.  Whitewater rafting, tubing on rivers, and waterfall hiking are a few. 

Selectively allow children to oversee their own projects.  It’s messy and not “perfect,” but they ca...

Do you remember the song “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”?

The song’s lyrics talk about God, saying:

• He’s got the wind and the rain in his hands.
• He’s got the little, tiny baby in his hands.
• He’s got you and me, brother, in his hands.
• He’s got you and me, sister, in his hands.
• He’s got everybody here in his hands. 

The Bible says God holds on to us with his “righteous right hand.”

This image shows us God...

Is your son able to “blend” his emotions?

When going on a hike, you bring along a bar that contains a mix of protein, carbs, and healthy fats, since your body needs  different nutrients to stay healthy.

In the same way, Child psychologist Dr. Mary Polce-Lynch says that healthy development in boys includes teaching them that they can feel seemingly conflicting emotions at the same time. For instance, when your so...

What are you most afraid of?

According to a 2014 Washington Post article, fear of public speaking was America's biggest phobia, with 25.3 percent of the people saying they were afraid of speaking in front of a crowd.

A 2022 study listed “corrupt government officials” as Americans’ biggest fear.

With the world seemingly spinning out of control, we can easily allow fear and anxiety to paralyze us.
...

Does your son struggle in math class? Did he miss the big play on the sports field that would have won the game?

Failures and fiascos will trip up your son. You wish he’d only see success, but that’s unrealistic. Even when we try our very best, disappointment and discouragement can still strike. And when it does, your son may experience frustration and exasperation. These are normal human emotions, but we don’t have to giv...

How big is your dream for your son?

Pat Williams, co-founder of the Orlando Magic, writes that a “vision is a glowing word-picture of a desirable and optimistic future.” As parents, we can paint that portrait for our kids, conveying that life is more than just existing, paying bills, and managing problems.

God created them and has a deep interest in their lives.

Boys need heroes – more than just movie a...

What comes to mind when you see these three words? “Some Assembly Required”

For many parents, these words bring back memories of a painful process of reading instructions, sorting through parts, and putting everything together — all under the watchful eye of your child as he waits with anticipation to play with his new toy.

Following instructions can be time-consuming and frustrating, but it will save you time an...

This Memorial Day, as we honor those who have paid the highest price for our freedom, be sure your son understands the true meaning of “honor.”

No one embodies true honor like the men and women, both active and retired, in our nation’s military. Your son can learn this by engaging with veterans.  He can march in a parade, clean a monument, or work with the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

This he can do as a memorial to...

Is your son experiencing “sideways” emotions?

In her book Boy Talk, Dr. Mary Polce-Lynch tells the story of an 11-year-old boy named Andrew. Andrew had suddenly started having headaches and stomachaches. His parents were baffled because– although they had gone through a difficult divorce a few years earlier– things had since settled.

Dr. Polce-Lynch figured out that the physical symptoms were a delayed reaction ...

How can you teach your son empathy?

Start by modeling this skill in your own life. If the grocery store checker is rude to you, when you get in your car, say out loud to your son, “I wonder if that checker is having a bad day, and dealing with some tough things!”

Help your son do this too. If he mentions someone at school who he doesn’t get along with, ask, “How do you think that person is feeling?” If your son ...

Have you ever seen your reflection in one of those silly circus mirrors that make you look super short or extremely skinny? Some mirrors can even make you look upside down.

Although we’re not at a circus or looking into a strange mirror, today’s culture sometimes makes us feel as if we’re living in an upside-down world. That which is good is put to shame. And that which is evil is paraded with pride.

The result i...

Who is the most generous person you know?

You may think you have to be rich to be generous, but that’s not true.

Mother Teresa said, “It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.”

God is our model for generosity. You cannot outgive God. He freely gives and lovingly provides for his children. God will give you what you need out of his infinite riches.

In gratitude for everythin...

Crowds follow individuals who communicate well. Every business, church, school, or ministry needs such people.

Help your kids know how to speak well. Create opportunities for them to stand in front of other people and speak about anything. Ask your six-year-old to stand in front of the family at night and talk about his favorite super-hero.

We can also challenge boys to write clearly - to present an idea and sup...

Do you know what the letters WWJD stand for? You’ll find the acronym on everything from bracelets to T-shirts to key chains. The letters stand for, What Would Jesus Do?

This phrase reminds Christians to put Jesus first in all that we do. As parents, we need this reminder, but so do our kids. And the best way for them to learn this is to see it demonstrated in action.

So the next time you’re faced with financial s...

While on a road trip, have your kids ever whined, “Are we there yet?”

When the journey is long, we grow impatient. We want to arrive at the destination as fast as possible. And if roadblocks make us veer off course, we grow frustrated. Sometimes even angry.

The same is true in the parenting journey. Our children are maturing socially, mentally, and spiritually—but sometimes not as fast as we’d like. We want them ...

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 25% of American kids live without a father or father-like figure in their homes. You heard that right. On average, 1 out of every 4 kids doesn’t have a dad to give them piggyback rides, help them with homework, or tuck them into bed at night. That’s tragic!

If you have the privilege of being a dad, make sure to be there for your kids. Don’t just live in your house. Make that house a hom...

When your son was young, did he ever point at someone in a wheelchair? Do your older kids whisper about the new kid who stutters or has a deformity?

Teach your kids never to make fun of someone with a handicap. Because we live in a sin-cursed world where physical and mental handicaps exist, these handicaps make life really hard for these people.

As Christians, we can’t make those handicaps go away, but we can sho...

Are you a fraud? Do you act one way at home and another way at church?

More than ever, teenagers connect with people who are authentic in their motives and genuine in their behavior. As a parent, your son sees you at your best, but also at your worst.

When you realize that you aren’t displaying the attitude and actions of a Christ-follower, the most difficult—and yet most meaningful—thing you can do is admit your...