Raising Godly Boys Minute

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

Almost all of us have been bullied or observed someone bully others. How do we help our sons stand up to a tormentor without retaliating or being a pushover?
Devon joined the swim team last summer. A few teammates made fun of him because he wasn’t part of the “in” crowd. Others saw but didn’t know how to help. When Devon asked his parents what to do, they told him, “Just continue to be the person you are. Treat others the way you want to be treated.” And he did. At the end of season, Devon won the “Kindest Person on the Team” award. Everyone, including the coaches, noticed his caring disposition.
When your son asks how to stop a bully, one answer may be, “Just be yourself.”
For information about a Proven Process that is helping boys grow into godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

As soon as you found out you were having a son, you probably started dreaming about what he would be like.

Maybe you started dreaming about what he would grow up to be. Maybe you even laid out your old football jersey, wondering if your son would be a quarterback like you were in high school.

Maybe. But maybe not. Many times, sons surprise us with their interests. You might expect him to love sports, but he may prefer to do something completely different–  like fix computers or bake apple pie.

Whatever your boy’s passions turn out to be, pray that he will use them to glorify God. Let go of your expectations. Encourage the natural giftings and interests you see in your son– even if that means he never dons your old high school football jersey.

To learn about raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.