Wild Things: the art of nurturing boys

How many times have you heard, I wish there was a manual for parenting? If there ever was a book to help guide you through raising your son, understanding your grandson or nephew or answering all those questions you have about the boys in your classroom….this is it! I felt like I was reading about my own son which was often reassuring but also many times reminded me there are other ways, better ways, to handle sticky situations. And I’m not just talking about when his cheeks are covered in peanut butter.

The authors know what they are talking about but don’t make the reader feel like a fool for not understanding their child’s actions and behaviors. They approach raising sons as an art, not science. I could read a section and immediately see how I could incorporate it into my own home. Two very important points they make and that I highlighted then circled:

·      "Understanding how boys develop is foundational to our ability to care for our boys well, and it can diminish our worries and concerns as our boys pass through different stages."

·     "It’s important to understand that what a boy gets, or doesn’t get, at one stage of his development will directly affect how well he will transition to the next stage. The reason that so many men struggle relationally, emotionally, and spiritually is not a lack of intelligence or morality. It’s the effects of having not reached key developmental milestones; of being rushed through one stage to another; or of simply skipping entire stages altogether."

Their immediate goal is to have more peaceful encounters and fewer frustrating battles and the long-term goal is to have a well-rounded, fully functional adult male. Ha, easier said than done, I know. But I promise that you will have a much better understanding of that toddler, boy, teenager and young man and how to guide him through the various, often difficult, stages of his development. Not only was I able to grasp the concepts but I easily relayed them to my husband, who thankfully, understands the incredibly important role he plays. He is NOT a backseat driver, quite the contrary. He is the main role model, communicator and wrestling partner once the little guy turns 5. Yes, my son will come back to me when he’s hurt, tired or still wants the occasional cuddle but he is much more dependent on his dad and yearns for his companionship over mine. Tears are dropping on my keyboard as I type this, but I know (after reading this book) it means that he is successfully completing one phase of development and entering the next.

I pretty much highlighted the whole book so I won’t even leave a bulleted list of some of my notes. You must read this book, seriously. It will remain as a resource for our family for many years to come. And some days, depending on the battlefield that lay before us, it may be a weapon.

Boys are much more complicated than we give them credit for being. Hold on, it’s a bumpy but fun ride!

Link to book on Amazon: Wild Things: the art of Nurturing Boys