Two of the most difficult words for a parent to say are, “I’m sorry.” Are you saying them enough? As parents, we should ask for forgiveness from our kids if we lose our temper, or don’t control our tongue, or if we jump to conclusions without gathering the necessary facts. The difficulty is that we can feel vulnerable, inadequate, and even slightly humiliated when apologizing. But here’s the truth: Your son or daughter will grow to love and respect you even more if you apologize. Humbling...

Glance into your purse or wallet and you’ll probably see a few dollar bills. Written on those dollar bills are these words: In God We Trust. It’s nice having that motto on our coins and bills—but it’s even more important to demonstrate that motto in our lives … that we teach this to our sons. Has your son trusted in Jesus as his Savior? If so, are you teaching him the importance of trusting in the Lord for daily guidance? Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean...

Boys love football. And these days, a great benefit of watching football on TV is the instant replay. You can re-watch—and practically relive—those exciting catches, fumbles, and interceptions. The instant replay is fantastic. But in real life, there is no “redo”. You get only one chance to raise your son through his adolescent years. But what if you haven’t trained your son as well as you wish you had? If that’s the case, take heart. C.S. Lewis said, “You can’t go back and change the...

When Benjamin Franklin’s name is mentioned, kids think of the guy who placed a metal key on a kite string. But adults recognize Benjamin Franklin as one of America’s most important Founding Fathers. In addition to helping to write the Declaration of Independence, he also had great advice about the learning process. He said, “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” Kids learn in different ways, but boys—especially—benefit from physical involvement. It’s one...

When you’re expecting a baby, you’re filled with dreams of how extraordinary your child will eventually become. But if your son has special needs or experiences developmental delays, you dream about him functioning in an ordinary way. The expectations we have for our children don’t always turn out the way we wish. During these times, it’s easy to become angry, frustrated, and bitter. When these emotions begin swirling through your mind, return your focus to the God of all comfort. Remember...

You can make your son’s day by putting his favorite candy in his backpack— a fruit roll up, a kit-kat, or maybe a Snickers. But what if you could load his backpack with what he needs emotionally, spiritually, and socially, as well? The critical needs of boys can be symbolized by five survival tools– a compass, a map, a guide, a flashlight, and a mountain. First, boys need a “compass”– a clear mission, and a “map”– a safe male mentor. Next, your son needs a “guide”– peers to walk beside on...

If your son is like most boys, he’s full of curiosity and spontaneity. These characteristics help boys better understand the world around them. But—when not properly controlled—impulsive actions can lead to problems and pain. Help your son understand how actions have consequences. A great way to do this is to read the Bible with him. Show him how Samson thought he was invincible—but that he was no match against Delilah. Point out how Peter thought he could walk on water—but that he sank...

If your car has a flat tire, it’s important to fix it fast. If you keep driving on it, the rim will quickly shred the rubber. After that you’ll ruin the alignment, brakes, and suspension. You might even lose control of the vehicle. Similarly, if your relationship with your son is deflated, it’s important to fix it … fast. Maybe you had a disagreement or misunderstanding with him. Maybe harsh words were said. Maybe impatience won the day. Regardless of who was at fault, it’s important to...

At times, your son may act like an outlaw terrorizing the wild west. As sheriff, it’s your job to keep the peace and enforce the laws. But as you know, it’s easy to grow frustrated, impatient, and exhausted at having to correct him over and over again. When your blood pressure starts to rise, take time to recall moments from the past. Pull out your phone and flip through old pictures. Do you remember the day your son learned to ride a bike? Or when he won a ribbon at the science fair?...

Are you concerned about bullying? Research tells us that the #1 concern of parents for their children is that they will be bullied.60 percent of all mothers and fathers report this fear. Though bullying may seem to us to be child’s play that will pass in time, the emotional effects are powerful, especially for boys, who are struggling with identity in a world that values them less. Your son’s best response to bullying will be fostered as his identity grows in a community that supports...

A tiny seed doesn’t become a towering tree overnight, nor by accident. After a seed sprouts, it requires healthy soil, direct sunlight, and consistent moisture to develop strong roots. These roots are vital in helping it stand strong through the winds and storms of life. The same is true in parenting. Your son needs healthy attention, direct instruction, and consistent love in order to develop a strong foundation to withstand today’s anti-Christian culture. By providing your son this...

God made boys with a competitive spirit. They crave the excitement of challenging themselves against others and emerging victorious. This desire to compete is a positive characteristic. But when competition within the home mutates into sibling rivalry, beware. Sibling rivalry often begins with jealousy, bitterness, and resentment. Because brothers and sisters don’t know how to process these emotions, they often resort to bickering, insults, and even outright fighting. As a parent, it’s...

Boys love to test their physical strength through competition. This often involves sports such as football, soccer, or wrestling. But boys also measure their strength through weightlifting. By pumping iron, they develop muscle and gain stamina. The problem is that in the gym, it’s easy for boys to think that bigger biceps equals a better man. Teach your son that, although a challenging physical routine can bring all kinds of results, even more important than physical strength . . . is...

Warning! Your son is being targeted. A relentless enemy is trying to entice, trap, and destroy his heart and mind. This enemy hides in the shadows—yet is constantly attacking your son. Who is this enemy? It’s pornography. Here’s a shocking statistic. The top pornographic website has more visits each day than Netflix, Amazon, and Twitter—combined! Don’t let pornography destroy your son’s heart, mind, and future. Help him develop a solid foundation in Scripture. Remind him that...

Boys are in trouble. More than ever, they’re being intentionally misled and confused by an anti-Christian culture that wants to destroy their faith in Jesus Christ. Secular worldviews—including relativism and humanism—also want to devour your son’s heart and mind, and thereby control his thoughts and actions. To withstand these attacks, boys need to be well-grounded in God’s Word. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” To...

Boys crave action and adventure. That’s why video games and movies grab their attention. But too often, this content is crude, sensual, and violent. Help your son find action and adventure in the pages of a good book. But beware. Many of the books written specifically for boys carry unbiblical worldviews. Secular authors are strategically influencing boys in unhealthy ways. Be careful about what your son reads. Encourage him to dive into fascinating stories about missionaries and...

It’s a sad fact that anxiety is attacking kids across the country. According to the Center for Disease Control, 7.1% of children have been diagnosed with anxiety. That’s around 4.4 million kids! There are many reasons for this anxiety, including fear of contracting COVID, worry about finding friends at school, and even dread about what the future holds. As a parent, it’s important to remind your son or daughter that even when the world feels out of control, we can have confidence that...

Two simple words strike terror in a parent’s heart. Those words are: “Assembly Required.” And yet, too often we ignore the instruction manual when putting together a bike or race car track for our son. We think, “Yeah, I can do this by myself!” But after hours of frustration, we swallow our pride and study the instruction manual to assemble the toy. Parenting your son is also a complex process, especially these days with so many flashy distractions competing for his attention. Thankfully,...

Each day contains 1,440 minutes. That may seem like a bunch of time, but it passes by in a flash. The same can be said for weeks, and months, and even years. Time is passing quickly . . . that’s a fact. But here’s another fact: You don’t want to look back on your parenting years with regret. Don’t allow the busyness of life to pull you away from investing time and attention in your son. Because—before you know it—your son will be grown up and heading out into the world. Ephesians 5:16...

Statistics indicate that girls struggle with self-image problems more than boys. But if it’s your son that’s hurting because he doesn’t like how he looks, statistics don’t matter. You just want to help your son. Compounding the problem are social media sites promoting their version of what is physically attractive and culturally trendy. When boys compare themselves with these unrealistic expectations, feelings of inadequacy can cause them to sink into depression. Help your son develop a...

If you’ve got a boy in your house, you know that God made boys with lots of energy and enthusiasm. It’s important that we provide ways for them to experience fun, excitement, and adventure—beyond the everyday routines of life. This can sometimes be difficult at home where space is limited. That’s why finding ways for him to engage in the outdoors is so important. And, while creating opportunities in the backyard or a local park can go a long way toward encouraging this engagement, think...

Have you ever played Jenga, the block-stacking game? It’s fun taking turns stacking blocks and watching the tower grow tall. But eventually, the tower becomes unbalanced, and the blocks come tumbling down. As a parent, don’t allow yourself to become unbalanced in life. As you go about your daily routines, avoid stacking too many obligations in your life. The higher your number of commitments, the greater the risk of wearing yourself out and failing to fulfill your most important...

Here’s a trivia question: Which state has the most lighthouses? If you answered Michigan, you’re absolutely right. In the darkness of night, lighthouses warn sailors of shallow sandbars and rocky shorelines. Without these lighthouses, many boats and sailors would crash into these obstacles and suffer great hardship and pain. In many ways, you serve as a lighthouse to your son. As he sails through life, you are in a key position to warn him of unseen hazards. Use your own personal...

Social media sites have tremendous power to influence your son’s thoughts and actions. But there’s an even more influential force in your son’s life—and that’s his friends. Research tells us that ensuring a positive community of faith for your son is one of the best ways to shield him against negative influences and to set him up for success. Though it’s unreasonable for you to expect your son’s friends to be perfect, they should exhibit a general attitude of respect and obedience to...