It’s a lot of pressure, isn’t it, to be a parent. I feel it almost daily. “Should I have said that? How should I have dealt with that? Oh man, I totally screwed up there. I need to spend more time with them.” And the list could go on and on and on, can’t it? I pray daily for my babies that God will take care of all the mistakes me and the hubs make.
Because every kid has ‘parent issues’ right? Let’s just try to keep them to a minimum…
Personally, I think they have an amazing daddy to model what it’s like to be a good, strong, yet loving man in this crazy world. But doesn’t it seem like kids are getting worse and worse these days? I’m not talking about your kids, of course. They’re angels, I’m sure! But as far as our house goes (they’re also angels, if you must know) these are 6 things I want my boys to grow up knowing & being.
1.) Be confident
You might not feel it. You might think all the other boys have it together & you don’t. It may appear that others are better than you. Guess what? It doesn’t matter. You do you. And you be confident in yourself. No need to compare. No need to try to feel better than others either. Just be confident in who you are as a person.
2.) Be Responsible
For your clothes. For your gadgets. For your actions. You’re not babies anymore. Mom and Dad can’t always do it all. Take care of what you own. Because guess what baby? Momma ain’t buying you another. Learn to be responsible for what’s in your life.
3.) Man up
Take responsibility for your mistakes. You’re going to make them and that’s okay. Own up to them, apologize if need be, take appropriate actions to fix it, and do better next time. Also be ready to accept punishment for your actions. It won’t always come in the form of a spanking from mom or dad but you will always have authority in your life. Man up and take responsibility for your choices.
4.) Be Respectful
To your elders. To women. To your friends. It is not your job to decide who to be respectful to or who deserves it. Be respectful and it will come back to you. If it doesn’t, you really don’t need that person in your life. But remember #2 – you are responsible for your actions not theirs. You can only control yourself.
5.) Work Hard
This one is a lost on a lot of kids and teens now-a-days isn’t it? If you have a job or athletic practice or school, be on time, ready to work hard and give it all you got. You may never be the best and that’s okay! All we ask is that you work hard and give it your all. Oh and don’t quit. Never quit.
6.) Rise above
People are mean, son! Some people don’t care about your feelings and will say harsh things. Some people will try to bring you down even if you are everything on this list. That’s okay. Let them. Do not let their actions bring you down to their level. Because if they do, you end up being mean just like them and you have to take responsibility for that. If they don’t lay a hand on you, turn around and walk away.
If they do, sock ‘em in the face as hard as you can swing. And I bet they don’t do it again.
Man, I love my babies. And as a mom of boys, it’s hard to think now (when they’re 5 and 2) about letting them go. But I know I have to understand that I am raising men. Not momma’s boys. I want them to be able to leave me and cleave to a new life whether that be a running a family or running a business. Or both.
But while they’re home, while they’re my babies, it’s our job to take care of them. To provide for them. Which can be hard, specially if you’ve seen how much they eat. It also involves things like health care and provisions for the future.
For example, right now, I’m embarrassed to say, we don’t have life insurance. And after losing my cousin unexpectedly, at such a young age (he was 28), I realized how important it really is, specially for parents. It makes me nervous and the whole process is a little intimidating, actually, trying to figure out what you need, how much, for who etc. Thankfully I came across Genworth Insurance site and found a wealth of information. Like the coverage worksheet. Makes it so easy!
And if you’re a stay at home mom and think you don’t need life insurance, here’s an article I read recently on why women need life insurance and it’s so true! You really can’t under estimate the worth of a momma. I mean, if something happened to me, my husband would definitely have to hire out. Because I’m really that awesome. And I’m sure you are too.
I know this post would look entirely different if I had daughters, but tell me:
What is something that you hope and pray (and try to teach) your children grow up to be?
This post made possible by Genworth Financial through Brandfluential. All opinions are my own and always honest!
Natalia
@NataliaLSimmons
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Oh man, how right you are. Totally agree and respect you for your 6 points, your kids will be wonderful men, because you might do mistakes (we all do) but the moral values and example you are giving them is what really feeds their heart and soul. I am a firm believer in respect, good manners and hard work but sometimes when I see how youngsters behave feel such discouragement…
Isn’t that so true? That respect is something that is lost now a days? That is why I feel such a need to teach our kids. I hope that they will be able to stand out in a crowd someday! Thank you for your input!
Raising boys into men is a privilege, but its a scary thing at the same time. My husband and I were just talking about feeling the weight of that responsibility. However, I am thankful to have the chance to raise a young boy and agree with all of your points:) We can hope that the will impact the world around them in a positive way.
It is scary! So scary! I felt like I needed to write this in a sense because so many moms baby their little boys and don’t allow them to be men. They don’t challenge them to grow into being strong and in control. In this culture I feel like we have lost sight of what it is to be a good man. And that being strong doesn’t mean over powering or being a jerk. My husband is the head of our household and does it well and deserves respect but to some that sounds like he’s a chauvinist or something. Anyway, I am sure you and I have the same thoughts on it all and I can tell you’re an amazing mother! I just try to pray through my kids lives that the Lord will cover all our mistakes and use them for his glory!
GREAT list. The only thing I would add, being a Christian, is read Scripture to them. “Train up a child in the way they should go, and when they are old they will not depart from it.” Psalm 22:6
One of the Scriptures I taught(and had my son memorize) when he was hitting those “lovely” teenage years was, “My dear brothers, take not of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” James 1:19-20
Raising children is one of the hardest, yet at the same time, most fulfilling things I have found in this life. Enjoy every moment with them. God Bless you and yours.
Thank you! We are believers too and have started memorizing verses the past couple years. Not as consistently as I would like, but we’re trying! I am just hoping and praying that God will cover all of my mistakes and if we do our best to teach scripture to our babies as that grow that they will turn there when we have failed them. Because we will, I am aware of that. My best parenting advice for any parent is to do it on your knees before our savoir because ultimately that is the only thing they need to know!
Thank you for your comment and adding your advice, I love it! I will put that verse on the list!
Wow!! Totally agree with those and glad someone’s raising men not mommas boys!! We’ll I’m opposite you with the two girls but all those points you mentioned apply to them. I always tell my oldest to speak kindly, love deeply(I peter4:8 gives a good reason to) and to be great in whatever The Lord has given her. I want them to be comfortable in their own skin – which might be hard for both if them in different ways because if what the world says is beautiful but I pray they ignore the world and trust that The Lord sees their true beauty! Thanks for this post!!!
Yes!! But let’s raise a generation with a different definition of ‘beautiful’! I hate that people say a particular thing is pretty or handsome and if you’re not it then that’s that. Why? I mean, who made those rules? We should all embrace our own beauty whatever it is and be secure in that. Of course that is so much harder to do than to say! I am sure your girls will be secure though with great parents like you guys!
Fantastic post girly! So true that we are raising men–not mommy’s boys! Amen. Pinning this!
Thank you! It worries me to see so many mommas babying their boys! And seriously, ask anyone that knows us, we don’t… haha we’re on the other end of the spectrum! But I know you can relate to the mom of boys stuff!
All great things. I want my Dudes to know that showing you love someone isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength. Just like picking up their dirty underwear:). Adorable guys you have here!
That’s a good one, I really like it! I should have also mentioned that it isn’t weakness or uncool to be respectful to women. Open doors, be polite etc. I like the way you put it! Thanks for the comment!
this is a GREAT post!!
These are all some great things for your boys to learn!
http://mscomposure.blogspot.com
http://www.infinitelifefitness.com
Thank you! It’s a lot of pressure, but I hope we do okay!
You’re doing a great job, Sweetie! No one who knows your boys would say anything different. Great points and very thought-provoking. Love you!
Thanks momma! Love you!
Loved this! I have an 18 month old little guy and I want him to grow up to be all of these things!
Thank you! I am glad you liked it! And as a fellow mom of boys that you don’t think I’m crazy!
This is a great list as I am too raising 3 boys to become men of God. I would add that we are memorizing scripture and I am starting to put more prints of scripture around the house and as the boys get older and become readers, they will read those and commit to memory. I am also doing it for me, gentle reminders of how I should be, too.
I totally agree! We start memorizing verses a few years ago, although not as consistent as I would like. But it makes such a difference in how you are able to discipline and respond to them. Like we are memorizing a verse about forgiveness right now and I yelled at my son for no reason (or not a good one at least!) and I was able to ask for forgiveness and explain the verse in context to him. It’s definitely a must I think!
love, love, LOVE this post, Natalia! and we finally got our butts in gear a year and a half ago and use Genworth =)
Seriously? So cool! We are in the process of getting our butts in gear… Sometimes I wish things would work out a little smoother, but then life is just one big process, I guess!
Natalia this is so touching and seriously I want the exact same things for my son.
Thank you! I am so glad you liked it. Sometimes I feel a little weird in this world asking my little guys to man up in a way. But I want them to be men, so I kind of have to!