Raising Godly Boys Minute

Do any of your son’s friends have absent dads? It’s likely they do. Over 19.5 million children– or one in four– don’t live with their dad. Fatherless boys are more likely to struggle in school, have behavioral problems, and participate in risky behaviors. Take note of your son’s peers who don’t spend time with their dads. The next time you plan a father-son fishing trip, bike ride, or hike, be qui...

What is Flag Day? June 14 commemorates the date in 1777 when the United States approved the design for its first national flag. In 1916 Pres. Woodrow Wilson declared June 14 as the official date for Flag Day. And on June 14, 1954 (Flag Day), President Dwight Eisenhower signed a bill into law, officially adding the words “under God” into the Pledge of Allegiance. The President said, “To anyone who...

Does your walk match your talk? Nobody likes “fake,” hypocritical people. As a Christian father figure and mentor, you need to live out of your faith authentically because people are constantly watching you. I heard about a man who heard that his Christian co-worker had an accident at work. After asking if he was OK, his next question was, “Did he cuss?” How you act is equally as important as what...

How can we parents create margin in our families to build unity? Play games together. Make a collection of board games. Develop the habit of occasionally clearing the table for game night. As children get older, families can invest in games that take longer to play. Playing board games allows for lots of interaction and often leads to laughter! Read to your children. Build the expectation into you...

How do we raise servants? Children learn how to serve others in part by watching adults serve.  Serving others includes stepping up to the plate and stepping out to meet needs. An older pastor said, “When our children were young, I pastored a small church with no other children or activities. My kids were part of starting new groups, ministries, and opportunities. None of that was handed to them....

We can learn something valuable about our sons from Peter Pan. In her book Boy Talk, child psychologist Dr. Mary Polce-Lynch makes an observation about the Lost Boys in the story of Peter Pan. These boys are seemingly living the dream. They have no parents, and no school–  just adventures all day long. But interestingly, they still long for one childhood comfort– the bedtime story. As your son gro...

How can we raise boys who love adventure? Here are a few simple ways to encourage boys to not always play it safe but develop their God-given spirit of bravery: Encourage outdoor family activities that involve a healthy level of risk.  Whitewater rafting, tubing on rivers, and waterfall hiking are a few.  Selectively allow children to oversee their own projects.  It’s messy and not “perfect,” but...

Do you remember the song “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”? The song’s lyrics talk about God, saying: He’s got the wind and the rain in his hands. He’s got the little, tiny baby in his hands. He’s got you and me, brother, in his hands. He’s got you and me, sister, in his hands. He’s got everybody here in his hands.  The Bible says God holds on to us with his “righteous right hand.” This imag...

Is your son able to “blend” his emotions? When going on a hike, you bring along a bar that contains a mix of protein, carbs, and healthy fats, since your body needs  different nutrients to stay healthy. In the same way, Child psychologist Dr. Mary Polce-Lynch says that healthy development in boys includes teaching them that they can feel seemingly conflicting emotions at the same time. For instanc...

What are you most afraid of? According to a 2014 Washington Post article, fear of public speaking was America's biggest phobia, with 25.3 percent of the people saying they were afraid of speaking in front of a crowd. A 2022 study listed “corrupt government officials” as Americans’ biggest fear. With the world seemingly spinning out of control, we can easily allow fear and anxiety to paralyze...

Does your son struggle in math class? Did he miss the big play on the sports field that would have won the game? Failures and fiascos will trip up your son. You wish he’d only see success, but that’s unrealistic. Even when we try our very best, disappointment and discouragement can still strike. And when it does, your son may experience frustration and exasperation. These are normal human emotions...

How big is your dream for your son? Pat Williams, co-founder of the Orlando Magic, writes that a “vision is a glowing word-picture of a desirable and optimistic future.” As parents, we can paint that portrait for our kids, conveying that life is more than just existing, paying bills, and managing problems. God created them and has a deep interest in their lives. Boys need heroes – more than just m...

What comes to mind when you see these three words? “Some Assembly Required” For many parents, these words bring back memories of a painful process of reading instructions, sorting through parts, and putting everything together — all under the watchful eye of your child as he waits with anticipation to play with his new toy. Following instructions can be time-consuming and frustrating, but it will...

This Memorial Day, as we honor those who have paid the highest price for our freedom, be sure your son understands the true meaning of “honor.” No one embodies true honor like the men and women, both active and retired, in our nation’s military. Your son can learn this by engaging with veterans.  He can march in a parade, clean a monument, or work with the Veterans of Foreign Wars. This he can do...

Is your son experiencing “sideways” emotions? In her book Boy Talk, Dr. Mary Polce-Lynch tells the story of an 11-year-old boy named Andrew. Andrew had suddenly started having headaches and stomachaches. His parents were baffled because– although they had gone through a difficult divorce a few years earlier– things had since settled. Dr. Polce-Lynch figured out that the physical symptoms were a de...

How can you teach your son empathy? Start by modeling this skill in your own life. If the grocery store checker is rude to you, when you get in your car, say out loud to your son, “I wonder if that checker is having a bad day, and dealing with some tough things!” Help your son do this too. If he mentions someone at school who he doesn’t get along with, ask, “How do you think that person is feeling...

Have you ever seen your reflection in one of those silly circus mirrors that make you look super short or extremely skinny? Some mirrors can even make you look upside down. Although we’re not at a circus or looking into a strange mirror, today’s culture sometimes makes us feel as if we’re living in an upside-down world. That which is good is put to shame. And that which is evil is paraded with pri...

Who is the most generous person you know? You may think you have to be rich to be generous, but that’s not true. Mother Teresa said, “It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.” God is our model for generosity. You cannot outgive God. He freely gives and lovingly provides for his children. God will give you what you need out of his infinite riches. In gratitude for everything...

Crowds follow individuals who communicate well. Every business, church, school, or ministry needs such people. Help your kids know how to speak well. Create opportunities for them to stand in front of other people and speak about anything. Ask your six-year-old to stand in front of the family at night and talk about his favorite super-hero. We can also challenge boys to write clearly - to present...

Do you know what the letters WWJD stand for? You’ll find the acronym on everything from bracelets to T-shirts to key chains. The letters stand for, What Would Jesus Do? This phrase reminds Christians to put Jesus first in all that we do. As parents, we need this reminder, but so do our kids. And the best way for them to learn this is to see it demonstrated in action. So the next time you’re faced...

While on a road trip, have your kids ever whined, “Are we there yet?” When the journey is long, we grow impatient. We want to arrive at the destination as fast as possible. And if roadblocks make us veer off course, we grow frustrated. Sometimes even angry. The same is true in the parenting journey. Our children are maturing socially, mentally, and spiritually—but sometimes not as fast as we’d lik...

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 25% of American kids live without a father or father-like figure in their homes. You heard that right. On average, 1 out of every 4 kids doesn’t have a dad to give them piggyback rides, help them with homework, or tuck them into bed at night. That’s tragic! If you have the privilege of being a dad, make sure to be there for your kids. Don’t just live in your ho...

When your son was young, did he ever point at someone in a wheelchair? Do your older kids whisper about the new kid who stutters or has a deformity? Teach your kids never to make fun of someone with a handicap. Because we live in a sin-cursed world where physical and mental handicaps exist, these handicaps make life really hard for these people. As Christians, we can’t make those handicaps go away...

Are you a fraud? Do you act one way at home and another way at church? More than ever, teenagers connect with people who are authentic in their motives and genuine in their behavior. As a parent, your son sees you at your best, but also at your worst. When you realize that you aren’t displaying the attitude and actions of a Christ-follower, the most difficult—and yet most meaningful—thing you can...

This Mother’s Day, minister to a single mom of a son. Every single mom is a hero. And single moms who have boys? They should wear capes. Raising a boy– who needs a ton of exercise, outdoor activity, focused attention, and healthy risk taking– is a joy, but can be exhausting. If you don’t know a single mom, ask a local church about their single moms ministry– they will be able to give you some name...