Raising Godly Boys Minute

Fidgeting. Being loud. Having trouble staying seated. Running or climbing when it’s not appropriate.

We used to consider these normal behaviors for young boys.  But now, they are listed as symptoms of ADHD.

Attention disorders are certainly real. But in some cases, what if instead of changing our boys’ behavior, we need to adjust our approach as adults?

For instance–too much screen time and not enough exercise can make it hard for your son to sleep at night. In turn, being tired can make it hard for him to focus during the day. What if you turned off all screens after dinner, and took a family walk before bed instead? You and your son will both reap the benefits.

To learn about raising boys to be healthy, godly men, go to TrailLife USA or Raising Godly Boys.com

You’re sitting at the dinner table, and you ask your son if he’s ready for basketball tryouts. Your son’s face starts to turn red. Suddenly, he stands up, pushes his plate away, and knocks his chair over intentionally as he leaves the room.

You’re confused. What caused this sudden anger outburst?

Researchers have discovered that when boys seem angry or withdrawn, they are often actually anxious.

So if your son seems angry for no reason, consider what may be stressing him out. Give him time to cool off. Get on his level, and engage him with physical touch and eye contact. And help him find healthier outlets for his anxiety, such as running or shooting hoops.

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

You’ve no doubt heard of Babe Ruth, who set a record for most number of home runs in his baseball career– seven hundred and fourteen.

But here’s a statistic you probably haven’t heard– Babe Ruth’s total career strikeouts. One thousand three hundred and thirty. That’s right– he struck out far more than he hit homers.

When it comes to your own son, of course you want him to hit all the proverbial “home runs” in life. But don’t forget to let him fail, too. It can be hard for us parents to watch, but failure can actually build resilience and be more beneficial for our children than success.

Just ask Babe Ruth, who said– “Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.”

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

Is your son glued to a screen?

You’ve tried everything, but you just can’t pull your son away from his video games. Well here’s something to consider. Does your son’s real life give him the same opportunities for adventure that his virtual world does?

Of course, video games are addictive by design. But researchers have found that boys also turn to gaming out of boredom, seeking freedom and risk.

Try adding a few more “yesses” to your son’s life. Let him ride his bike down a hill, take a walk in the woods, or try climbing a tree. The best way to draw your son away from a virtual world is to give him healthy challenges in real life.

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

Billy Graham was one of the most influential evangelists of the 20th century. He boldly proclaimed the Gospel to over 200 million people. But in addition to his important preaching ministry, Billy Graham also had an important message for fathers.

He said,
“A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.”

As a dad, you have the incredible privilege of raising your son to love the Lord and follow His ways. This brings with it the responsibility of providing a strong, Christ-centered foundation for your family.

So, how is your parenting journey coming along? Remember, you’ll never regret investing time and attention in your son.

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