Raising Godly Boys Minute

Your son craves four things.

First, he craves belonging– to “fit in.” Second, he wants a sense of competence. He needs to feel “good enough.” Third– boys need to know their worth. And the fourth thing that boys crave is a sense of autonomy. They want freedom and independence.

The next time your son is upset or angry, it may be a good idea to go through this list in your head. Which craving is your son lacking?

Then, once it’s identified, help your son find age-appropriate, healthy, ways to fulfill that desire. For instance, if he’s not feeling a sense of belonging at school, maybe he could find another group of peers to meet with. This could be a youth group, or an outdoor adventure group like Trail Life USA.

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

How can you train your son into good character, character that will last, character that will see him become a man of responsibility and action?

The allures of society can drown your son in ease of life, pleasure, and infinite time-wasting.  Many young men simply fail to do anything with their lives.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

Irving Stone wrote of Michelangelo in The Agony and the Ecstasy, “...his own integrity… forced him to do his best, even when he would have preferred to do nothing at all.”

There is a way to instill character in your son: give him godly mentors, a high target to aim for, and set challenges for him that will awaken the fire within his soul.

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

It was just three simple words.

Evangelical Louis Palau was fighting terminal lung cancer. During that time, someone asked him, “After you pass away, if you could send a message down from heaven to all believers, what do you think you would say?”

Palau thought for a moment, then responded with three simple words: “Go for it.”

That kind of God-rooted courage is one of the most important traits to instill in our son.
When he’s little, this looks like letting him climb and explore in age-appropriate ways. When he’s older, this means stepping back to allow him to attempt things and fail big.

And when our son expresses a dream to us, let us be the first one to echo Palau’s encouraging words– “Go for it.”

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

What is your son afraid of?
In today’s world, there is a lot to fear.  School, friends, teachers, and classes are just a few.  Social media and today’s culture pile on enough to scare most adults, let alone children.
But the bible says, “God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
Anchor your son in the word of God.  Lead your children to godliness by example.  Give them righteous mentors that will train them in the way they should go, and help them find friends to support, inspire, and uplift them.
Raising a child in today’s world can be scary, but God is with you!
For more information about raising your son into a godly man, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

“Raising boys is an extreme sport. That’s why I wear workout clothes every day.”

That’s a lighthearted quote from the blog Simply Well Balanced, but it sure has a lot of truth in it! Raising a son is a good way to rack up the steps on your fitness watch. But let me affirm you— if you’re letting your boy be wild– you’re probably doing it right.

Let him run around like crazy outside. Show him how to make mud pies. Watch him do tricks on his bicycle. Go fishing together, and let him hold the fish while you snap a picture.

Sure, it can be exhausting. But if your son ends the day making muddy footprints across your floor– I bet he’ll also have a smile on his face.

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