Raising Godly Boys Minute

Every night at bedtime, Jane would kiss her five-year-old son’s cheek, and say, “I love you so much.”

One night, her son said, “Mom, I know you love me. But are you proud of me?”

That’s a true story that Dr. Emerson Eggerich shared while teaching about his book, Love and Respect.

Hearing her son’s question, Jane realized her son was already craving respect. She changed her approach. At bedtime, started putting her hand on her son’s shoulder and saying, “I am so proud of you.” Every time she did, her son would puff his chest and smile.

Your son does need to know you love him, of course. But don’t forget about his desire to hear that you like him and are proud of the person that he is, as well.

To learn about the five critical needs of boys, visit TrailLifeUSA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Does your son have a “spotter”?

In NASCAR, each driver has a “spotter.” It’s a person who stands high above the racetrack and communicates, through a radio, what’s behind, around, and ahead of the driver.

As Brad Henry points out in his book Destination- The Winner’s Circle, every young man needs a spotter. They need someone who has a wider perspective, who can point out potential issues behind and ahead of them.

Unfortunately, young men tend to listen to the spotter more closely if that person is NOT a parent. Start helping your son seek out a youth pastor, a church deacon, or a great male teacher who could be their positive mentor and “spotter.”

And of course, point your son to the ultimate spotter– God, the Author and Finisher of our faith.

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

Could your boy be a hero?

Chris and his friends ran down to the beach ahead of their leaders when two ladies, frantic and crying, came running to them pointing out to sea.  Their brother, a weak swimmer, was caught in a strong current, and was fighting for his life, unable to make it to shore.

Two of the strongest swimmers raced out to save him as the others formed a human chain, wading into the current, helping their friends and the near-drowning brother to safety.

Surrounding your son with good friends who know what to do is a path to success for life, and will help him save others on his way.

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

Want to teach your son right and wrong? The outdoors is a great place to start.

When you’re hunting, camping, or hiking, natural consequences are everywhere. If you don’t aim your shot well, you won’t harvest a deer. If you fail to pitch your tent correctly, it will tumble around you. If you don’t consult the weather forecast, you may get caught in a rainstorm on your hiking trail.

Always supervise your son, and be prepared to assist when needed. But on your next outdoor adventure, let your son take the lead. And when something goes wrong, as long as your son is safe, allow him to decide what to do next. You’ll be building his confidence, his resilience, and his critical thinking skills all at once.

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

Can you be sure you are raising your children properly?  How can you know you are right?  With so many different voices yelling at you from social media, friends, and the world, how can you know what is true?

For instance, science mistakenly used to tell us margarine was better than butter, and eggs would kill us.  Who can you trust these days?

Baroque sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini once said, “The most wonderful virtue of all is truth, because ultimately it is revealed by time.”

Raise your children in the truth.  God never changes; he is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Teach them to walk hand-in-hand with Him, and they will develop faith and a character that will stand the test of time.

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