Raising Godly Boys Minute

Have you ever broken an arm? Depending on the type of break, the doctor might have needed to set the bones straight before placing your arm in a cast. That cast kept your arm protected so that the broken bones could grow back together.

If your relationship with your son is broken, you also need to set things straight. Take time to allow the relationship to heal. This may require a season of rest and extra attention. You may need to cut out other activities so that you can devote extra time to helping the relationship rest and recover.

A broken relationship hurts. But by taking immediate steps to help it recuperate, you and your son will grow closer together, and—in time—stronger than ever.

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

Have you ever watched a stunt driver race his motorcycle up a steep ramp and into the air? Maybe he did a double backflip with a bunch of twists and turns.

Those crazy stunts require an incredible about of control. If the stuntman were to leave the ramp at the wrong angle, he’d land off target and experience an awful wipeout.

To succeed in life, your son also needs to be in control. Because boys are usually impulsive, self-control is one of the hardest lessons for them to learn. But a little self-control goes a long way in helping him steer through the twists and turns of life.

So teach your son the importance of self-control. The more self-control he has, the greater his chance of soaring high in life.

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

Imagine sending an army to war without the tools or training to achieve victory. And yet, we are sending boys, ill-equipped, into a culture that seems to have declared war on boyhood.

The results are tragic. Boys are almost twice as likely to be put in special education and three times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD. And each year, fewer young men enroll in higher education.

But changing these statistics is more simple than you may think. For example, the presence of one positive mentor can make a young man more likely to make healthy choices, get better grades, and have higher self-esteem.

Today, ask God to put a man in your son’s life who can show him how to soldier on in the battle of life. 

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

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.