10 Tips On Raising Boys

Here are 10 things that you need to know:

1. Reflect God’s love. Talking about it is not enough. When young the boy needs to know that he is loved. When he is a teenager he needs to know that he's got what it takes. Just tell them a million times a day: "Son I love you!", "Son you have what it takes!"

2. Discover who your child is and draw out their potential. Observe what he likes and what he is good at.

3. A father can only be a good father if they are in touch with their heavenly father. No compromise here, you have to seek God.

4. A son will imitate and reflect his father. Monkey see, monkey do! If you respect people he'll do the same. If you have integrity he will copy you. If you treat women right he will be a gentleman just like you.

5. A child derives their identity from his father. "You are a wimp!",  "You cry like a girl!", What are you speaking into your son's life? replace all the negative words with: "You are a winner!", "You are smart" etc.

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6. A boy needs to know that he is loved but not the centre of the universe, he needs to know that his father is part of a bigger adventure! What are you doing to impact the world? How are you adding value to others? Join us and start living a bigger life. You will find easier to explain to your son that he was made for more when you are living for more.

7. A boy derives his masculinity and the answers to his deepest questions from his father. Let me show you: “Do you have what it takes?” close your eyes and listen to your own answer. Who told you that? Chances are, it was your dad.

8. Spend time with your son and don’t miss his heart by taking him to do something he doesn’t want to.

9. Be a source of wonderful things. Unexpected, surprises foster in the children a belief that a father is a source of wonderful things. When I took Daniel on our adventure I brought a bag with "explorer's" clothes (it was right after school and he needed to change), water and some boy food. Time with dad on an adventure was the first surprise. Some junk food was the second. He didn't expect either.

10. Make sure you make the adventure all about him. This is the most important tip. Take him where he wants to go (as long as it's reasonable, you still need to provide leadership), go where he wants to go and buy him what he wants to eat. The focus of your attention is 100% on him.

What about you? What example are you leaving to your son? When last did you take him on an adventure?

Be a man of courage, be strong (1 Co 16:13)  

.... be  a father!