If you are concerned about your boy “fitting-in” at school, look no further than your own front door. Does your son feel comfortable and at-place within the structure of your family? Is he free to express his voice and opinions? Is he feeling pressured to mold himself toward a vision that isn’t his? Are you taking responsible for your son’s relationship with the world around him by promoting healthy values, such as service? These are the tough questions, but the important ones. It is time to get honest with yourself, your family, and your son, because the next few years are crucial to his grow ..read more

Today it seems our sons are bombarded with so many influences coming at them left and right of mixed messaging about being a ‘good boy’.  Further confusion from parenting strategies that have swung from strict and authoritarian to passive or free-range over the last 50 years. It can be difficult to know what’s the best approach as we are raising our sons to be healthy and confident young men and can feel like unchartered territory.  Considering that for our school-age sons, approximately half of their waking hours are spent in school, you do everything you can as a parent to raise yo ..read more

Your words have power. Speak words that are kind, loving, positive, uplifting, encouraging, and life-giving.” -Unknown Watch the language of toxic masculinity around our sons, as it may be suttle, it is micro-aggressive. The truth is that our words do matter! Together, guiding the next generation of young men into a new world free of sexism, misogyny and chauvenism needs a change in language. Toxic masculinity language has become so common in our society’s venacular. There are many terms that have underlying affiliations. We need to be aware of our words while raising conscious and confident ..read more

Saying “No” is a daily part of life as a parent. It is such a simple yet weighted word. How you and your child handle it will have a profound effect on your family dynamics and your child’s future self. The word “No” is an opportunity to teach important life lessons, and give your son the tools to navigate his emotions as life becomes increasingly complex for him. While it may seem harmless to let a few “Nos” slip away over a piece of candy or a simple rule, you are setting him up for a harsh reality when he is older and starts getting a taste of rejection in the form of love interests, jobs ..read more

In this age of parenting, some of us may spend a lot of time thinking, analyzing, and investing much of our emotional and mental energy worrying about how we can be better at our roles. We pour through blogs and books, discuss different ways of parenting, and adopt any number of special methods to be the best we can be. Yet sometimes, it’s the tried and true, age-old habits that stick and truly make a difference. The sun has gone down and bellies are full from a well-made meal. Homework was a hassle, but completed. Teeth are brushed and it is bedtime. In those moments between stirring and slum ..read more

Strong family bonding is key to promoting a healthy self-image and sense of belonging in boys. With so much going on in our lives, it can sometimes feel like we live with strangers. Although as adults we may have the coping mechanisms to maintain our sanity, it’s not so easy for developing children. It can be hard to prioritize bonding time when so many other things seem so important. The stress of paying the bills, pursuing career goals, or keeping the kids active is often prevalent. This leaves the emotional needs of your child abandoned in the chaos. Here are 5 simple ways you can integrate ..read more

If you are concerned about your boy “fitting-in” at school, look no further than your own front door. Does your son feel comfortable and at-place within the structure of your family? Is he free to express his voice and opinions? Is he feeling pressured to mold himself toward a vision that isn’t his? Are you taking responsible for your son’s relationship with the world around him by promoting healthy values, such as service? These are the tough questions, but the important ones. It is time to get honest with yourself, your family, and your son, because the next few years are crucial to his grow ..read more

In a previous post you saw the facts and statistics in regards to the failing rate of success in school for males compared to females; is it possible the school environment is a significant factor? Research has made it apparent that the typical school environment has not been conducive to a thriving and healthy development for modern-day boys. Your child spends a significant portion of every day at school, so it is important to be aware of where they may be lacking in their development. If you have a deeper understanding of your child’s needs, you can have the tools to impact real ch ..read more

We are in an age of change, transitioning toward a better society where accountability, responsibility, and respect are emerging stronger than ever. All values to uphold and encourage. As women express their voices and demand to be heard, the world is listening and moves are being made to create a more inclusive and equitable society. Those who inhibit the male gender are opening their ears and receiving these messages. However, the challenge remains when navigating the deeply embedded traditions and messages that have been the norm for as long as we can perceive. As our boys grow up and devel ..read more

The first step to change is awareness. In our own individual development, becoming aware of our flaws is often a harsh reality, but it is also the catalyst for real, long-lasting change and improvement. Often, it takes hitting rock bottom before we can really see our circumstance for what it is, and be inspired to rise above it. It seems our society is hitting an all new rock-bottom. School shootings are nearly a monthly headline, and has become a tragedy that has desensitized us, to the point where many have begun scrolling right past it on our feed. The trauma has been normalized. The conver ..read more