Raising Godly Boys Minute Trail Life USA

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 delayed reaction to the divorce. She patiently helped Andrew work through the emotions he had long buried.

If your son has unexplained physical or behavioral issues, consider that he may just now be coping with a stressful event that happened before. Prayerfully offer him grace, patience, therapy, or simply time to work through his complicated emotions.

For more ideas on raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

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?” If your son says he doesn’t know, encourage him to guess. Remind him that people who hurt others are often insecure or fearful.

You can also memorize verses together about empathy, such as Phillippians 2:3- “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility, count others more significant than yourselves.”

For more ideas to raise godly boys, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

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 pride.

The result is that kids are left confused about what’s actually right or wrong.

When complex cultural issues arise, open the pages of Scripture and show your kids what the Bible says is right and wrong. In this way, you’ll help your kids understand that God’s Word is an infallible mirror … our perfect source of truth.

For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

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 God has given you, you should be generous to him and others.

Remember 1 Timothy 6:18 and teach your children to “be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.”

For more information about a Proven Process that is helping boys grow into godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

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 an idea and support it with evidence.

We live in a day where the battle for culture rages around who controls the flow of ideas. Help your children know how to open their mouths and communicate verbally. Talk about great ideas in your home, and challenge your children to learn to communicate those ideas.

For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

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 with financial stress, work problems, or a health crisis, take a moment to sit next to your son and go to the Lord in prayer. When your son sees and hears you ask the Lord for help, he’ll understand that WWJD is more than a bumper sticker. It’s a way of life.

For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.