Raising Godly Boys Minute

Is your son ready to face life?

Would you like him to be?

Giving your son challenges to overcome strengthens him to take on more. 

Hiking a misty morning trail, sweating and pushing himself on the football field, or learning the thrill of shooting his kayak down a roaring rapid, powering through the river with eager strokes all build in him a mindset of success to overcome what life brings him.

Leonardo DaVinci once said, “Obstacles cannot crush me.  Every obstacle yields to stern resolve. He who is fixed to a star does not change his mind.”

Give your son the opportunity to succeed.  Carefully select challenges to push him and show him how strong he really is.

For more information about raising your son into a godly man, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

“You’re not listening.”

Have you said this to your son lately? Maybe he was clicking his pen or fidgeting with a toy rather than paying attention to your words.

He appears to be ignoring you. However, his annoying behavior could be what helps him understand your instructions.

Boys can’t process sentence after sentence after sentence. Typically, they are kinesthetic and learn best when physically engaged in an activity. So, rather than sitting across from your son, try talking with him while participating in an activity together. Shoulder to shoulder, rather than eye to eye.

When you need to correct your son or offer him advice, get moving. Take a walk. Go for a bike ride. Build a fort. He’s more apt to hear your message.

For information about a Proven Process that is helping boys grow into godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Does your son have a direction?  Has he chosen what he wants his character to be?

You can help him do this, you know.

When you do, help him choose a character not based on pleasure or self, but on fulfilling God’s purpose for his life.

Albert Einstein once said, “To make a goal of comfort or happiness has never appealed to me; a system of ethics built on this basis would be sufficient only for a herd of cattle.”

Don’t raise your son as cattle.  Raise him to be a godly leader whose first thought is not for himself, but for how he can serve his Savior.

For more information about raising your son into a godly man, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Teach your son to be a friend to all– even to those who are missing buttons. 

In the classic children’s book Corduroy by Don Freeman, a little stuffed bear sits on a store shelf. Children see the bear and consider purchasing him. But when they see that Corduroy is missing a button on his overalls, they put him back on the shelf.

One day, a child decides to buy Corduroy, despite his missing button. When she takes him home, Corduroy thinks, “I’ve always wanted a friend.”

Your son is watching the way you treat others. Do you disregard and judge people because of their imperfections? Or, do you forgive and show grace?

Remind your son that Jesus was known for loving the misfits. As Christians, we should be a friend to all as well.

For more ideas for raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Have you ever wanted to talk to your son?  Like, really talk?  Life can come at them hard and fast in today’s world.

Chris was concerned about his son after cancer took his wife.  His son always said he was fine, but Chris wondered.

On a campout with their troop, when all the rock-climbing and tower-building was complete, Chris and his son went to fish.  As the sun was setting and Canadian geese circled in to settle on the opposite side of the pond, Chris’ son said simply, “Mom would have liked this.”

Chris was quiet.  “I miss her,” his son said, then broke down in tears.  Chris dropped his rod and wrapped him up in a big hug, and they were able to talk– really talk. Make space to hear your son’s heart.

For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com