Raising Godly Boys Minute

A perfect parent would raise a terrible son.

If you’re like many of us, when your head hits the pillow at night, your mind buzzes with the ways you could have been a better parent to your son.

But Ali Worthington, author of the book Remaining You While Raising Them, says to stop beating yourself up. She says even a perfect parent can raise a son who doesn’t know how to apologize or deal with a friend’s bad day. Our creator God is so kind and powerful that he can use even our weaknesses as parents to teach our sons valuable life lessons.

So the next time you feel you’ve messed up as a parent, apologize to your son, and know that God can use even your worst days for good.

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

How do you feel about your son's friends?

Do they make him a better person?  Do they encourage him to do the right thing?  Do your son's friends show him how to serve selflessly? 

Scripture says “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” This is doubly true for boys, who are still moldable clay, waiting to be formed by whatever-- and whoever-- is around them.  More than listening to the same music and watching the same movies, boys learn from each other, and shape each other's values.

Help your son to choose good friendships-- boys he can learn with, play with, and serve with.

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

Disciplining your son takes courage.

Whether your son is a toddler with a squeaky voice or a teenager with floppy hair, disciplining him can be quite a challenge. You may be met with a tantrum, eye rolls, or even the dreaded “I hate you!”  Sometimes, the response from your son might be so harsh that you wonder if discipline does more harm than good.

But don’t lose heart. Saying no and laying down consequences is an act of love. When your son hurts your feelings with his response, ask God for wisdom and courage. Remember the truth in Hebrews 12:11- “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

To learn about the five critical needs of boys, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Here’s a simple language shift that can reach the heart of your son. 

When your boy is bickering with a sibling or a friend, your instinct might be to say “Son, you need to be kind.”

But author Dr. Emerson Eggerichs says that you might need to say something else.

Dr. Eggerichs is widely known for his writings about how a man’s deepest desire is for respect. He says that desire starts when boys are very young. So much so, that if you tell your son to be kind and loving – that concept may not resonate very deeply with him.

If you, however, tell your boy to be respectful to others— he may listen more closely. Young men crave respect so much that they understand why another person would need it, too.

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

Why does your son need to learn courage?

Does he need to stand up for himself?  Stand up for others?  Stand up for what is right?

In today’s world, he will need to do all of these and more.

English poet and playwright Sameul Johnson said, “Where courage is not, no other virtue can survive except by accident.”

Lead by example.  Give your son godly mentors. Provide opportunities for him to test himself with the rush of a downhill bike course, a hard-fought game of sports, or a whitewater rapid,  and he’ll push his own boundaries to new heights.  Once he gets a taste of courage, he’ll find new horizons awaiting him.  He may surprise you by what he can become.

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