What poisonous plant is easily identified by its “leaves of three”?If you said poison ivy, you’re right! When you see its “leaves of three,” you immediately step back. That’s because nobody wants red, itchy skin covered in bumps and blisters.In the great outdoors, it’s important to teach your son the hazards of poison ivy, but it’s even more important to teach him the hazards of sensuality. Today’s secular culture sexualizes women in movies, magazines, and the internet. For boys who want to g...

Have you ever heard the old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”?Kids sometimes use the rhyming words as a comeback against insults. But the rhyme couldn’t be further from the truth.Words do impact our thoughts and actions. That’s why 1 Thessalonians 5:11 tells us to “encourage one another and build one another up.”When was the last time you wrapped an arm around your son and told him how proud you were of him? Or when did you last compliment him on a s...

Do you have a junk drawer at home? You know, a drawer where you keep odds and ends like buttons, batteries, and blue highlighters.Even though small knick-knacks can seem like junk, those tiny objects suddenly become super important when you need them.The same is true in life. At some point, your son may fail a test at school or miss a crucial pass at a football game. That’s when something as small as an encouraging word or a comforting hug becomes a big deal. Those small actions take just a f...

When was the last time you looked up at the moon? It’s usually there in the night sky, but we don’t always pay attention to it. And yet, the waxing and waning of moon phases is an important reminder that time is continually passing.It’s one thing to ignore the moon, but whatever you do, don’t ignore your son. No matter how busy life becomes, remember to appreciate phases of growth in your son. Whether he’s an infant, toddler, preschooler, or teenager, enjoy each season of development. By inte...

Okay, let’s get serious for a moment. The fact is … belly buttons look kind of funny! Some stick out like a small marble. Others curve inward like a deep cave. Some are smooth—others super wrinkly.No matter what your belly button looks like, it’s a reminder of how your mother nourished you through an umbilical cord while inside the womb.As a dad, you weren’t joined to your son through an umbilical cord, but you still play a vital role in nurturing him physically, emotionally, and spiritually....

Do you remember learning to ride a bike? For kids, it’s a BIG deal. But learning to ride a bike takes time—maybe even a few falls and scraped knees. Perhaps you remember holding onto your son’s bike as he pedaled down the sidewalk. But little by little, you carefully released your grip. At first, just for a second. Then, as your son developed confidence, you let go entirely. At that point, your son’s smile probably stretched from ear to ear. He’ll never forget that victorious moment—or the fa...

Imagine this. At a garage sale, you wipe the dust off an old genie lamp. Smoke pours out, then poof! A genie stands in front of you. He says, “You freed me from the bottle—I grant you one wish.”You’re thrilled, but what will you ask for? A work promotion? A sports car? Tickets to the Superbowl? In 1 Kings chapter 3, King Solomon asked the Lord for wisdom and discernment. And God granted his desire.As a parent, make sure you also prioritize wisdom. You can do this by taking a few minutes each ...

Did you ever make a mud pie? Maybe your son has. That’s where you mix water and dirt into a thick, gooey mixture. Then after slapping the mud into a hamburger-sized patty you decorate it with twigs and pebbles.Boys still like getting dirty in the backyard. But at some point, it’s time to clean up. As a parent, teach your son that there’s a time to be messy and dirty, but also a time to wash up and clean up. Be intentional in helping your son know how to bathe, brush his teeth, and comb his ha...

Do you have unreasonable expectations?As a parent, you love your son and want him to succeed at everything he does. You want him to earn the highest grades in class, score the most points at the game, and have the greatest artistic talent.But unreasonable expectations can cause frustration—for both you and your son. Even though it’s fine to motivate your son to achieve success, be careful that your high expectations don’t cause him to become discouraged, angry, and resentful. Ask the Lord to ...

If you’re a mom or dad, you’ve probably lost your patience a time or two—or, more likely, dozens of times. That’s because training kids to get along with their siblings and behave appropriately takes lots of time and attention. It’s easy to grow frustrated at having to provide correction for the billionth time.Even though frustration is a natural human emotion, losing your temper is never right. If, in a moment of anger, you did something or said something that wasn’t God-honoring . . . apolo...

Do you ever use the smiley emoji while texting? That emoji helped launch World Smile Day, which is celebrated the first Friday in October. On that day, people are encouraged to smile at people around them.Fortunately, you don’t need an official holiday to smile. It’s something you can do every day. Of course, life doesn’t always run smoothly. Health issues, work conflicts, and financial concerns may catch you off guard. Or perhaps your son discourages a smile from you because he doesn’t like ...

You know that irritating song, “The wheels on the bus go round and round”?Well, sometimes, the routines of parenting also feel like they just keep rolling along, day after day.Wake up—get the kids ready for school—make breakfast—drive to work—finish work—help the kids with homework—and so on and so forth.When the routines of life feel repetitive, introduce new ways to keep boredom at bay. In the car, play trivia games together. At the dinner table, tell funny stories about your childhood. Bef...

What is more effective– lecturing, or listening? Cara decided that her son wouldn’t be allowed to have a TikTok account. Annoyed, he told her, “I’m the only kid in my class who doesn’t have one. Why don’t you let me have one?” Cara paused. “Well, why do you think I have this rule?” “Well,” her son said. “I’ve heard about the TikTok challenges that are dangerous or illegal. So I guess I understand that part.” Listening to her son’s points, instead of lecturing, led to a healthy discussion. Car...

What should you do if your son wants to quit? Sam asked his dad if he could quit playing the cello. Sam’s dad was surprised since Sam had always loved playing, but was discouraged because none of his friends shared that passion. Instead of allowing him to quit, Sam’s dad encouraged him to keep playing, and he helped his son find some local music groups to play in. Years later, as Sam accepted a music scholarship to a university, he turned to his dad. “Thank you for not letting me give up.” Ex...

Do you like it when seasons change?If you’re a parent, you know what it’s like to be exhausted. That’s because each season of your son’s life requires huge amounts of time and energy. You may feel like your baby will never sleep through the night, or your toddler will never get potty trained, or your teenager will never stop testing your patience.When you feel overwhelmed, take heart. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “To everything there is a season.” There’s a season for learning how to ride a bike, f...

What developmental stage is your son in? David Thomas, a family therapist, has divided a boy’s life into five stages. Until age four, boys are in the “explorer” phase. When they turn five, they enter the “lover” stage. The third stage for our sons is ages nine through twelve– the “individual.” Next is stage four, the “wanderer.” And finally, there’s the “warrior” phrase– between age eighteen into the mid twenties. When we as parents understand the phases our son is going through, it hel...

Are you disciplining your son, or are you naming him? Many parents are guilty of using phrases like this with our son: “You are so messy” or “You are so disrespectful to me.” But family therapist David Thomas reminds us that, to our boy, it may sound like we are “naming” him. And hearing those phrases can lead a boy to believe that he is simply a messy or disrespectful person. Instead, David suggests reframing the situation by saying: “Son, I’ve noticed you’re stuck in a pattern of disrespect...

Ever strike a match?A single match—or even a single spark from flint and steel—can start a fire. And if provided with enough fuel, that small fire can quickly grow into a large and powerful force.The same can be said for words. A simple word of encouragement could be the spark that encourages your son to accomplish incredible things. If your son is struggling with school or sports or social activities, give him some tips and pointers in a kind and patient way. Then, when you see progress, say...

Stuck in traffic? Use the time to teach your son a valuable lesson.David felt his blood pressure rising one day while driving. He said to his son, “I’m getting really frustrated. How about we turn on some music so I can think about something else?” A few days later, David’s son was working on some math homework. He looked at his dad and said, “Dad, I’m getting really frustrated with this homework. Can we turn on some music so I can think about something else?” Our kids learn so much fro...

He was told he’d never walk… but God had other plans. When Glenn Cunningham was eight, his legs were burned badly in an accident. Doctors suggested amputation, but his parents didn’t allow it. Against all odds, Glenn started walking again, and eventually, running. Years later, Glenn broke the world record mile time, giving all the glory to God. Just like Glenn’s experience, the world will put limits on our son’s hopes, dreams, and abilities. If your boy expresses an interest in a challenging ...

Want to give your son a boost of confidence? Try this. Let him plan a fun activity for your family. This could be a day or weekend trip to a zoo, a baseball game, a water park, or a concert. Give him a budget, and help him research buying tickets, planning meals, and booking a hotel. While on the trip, stay back and let your son take the lead with things like talking to the person at the ticket counter. When you return home, sit down with your son and evaluate the experience together, giving ...

Does your son need his grandparents? It’s true that there are many children who are raised without their grandparents who do just fine. But child development researchers have found that children who feel relationally close to a grandparent tend to show higher levels of kindness, better school performance, and a better attention span. Of course, many times grandparent relationships can be complicated, and even full of hurt. If your relationship with your parents,or your spouses’ parents, is es...

Are you trying too hard with your son? It’s been a long day, and you and your son are raking leaves. It’s rare that you have one-on-one time with your boy, so you feel pressure to start a conversation about something important– like grades, or friends, or God. But fellow parent, the pressure is off. Just doing simple tasks together like yard work, building model airplanes, working on an old car, or riding bikes can be incredibly meaningful– not because of the words you say, but because of the...

Who will your son be in ten years? In day-to-day parenting, it’s easy to get caught up in how our sons are acting today. Today, your son will throw a tantrum when you don’t let him buy a toy at the store. Today, he might not seem to pay attention when you read the Bible with him. Today, he’ll roll his eyes when you remind him to practice his violin. But fellow parent– take heart. Your son will grow up. And when he does, he will begin to see that all along, although you took the time to guide ...