5 Tips for Raising Boys

Raising boys comes with its own challenges. Children are excellent imitators. That is why the example parents show in daily life is often more effective than words or advice. Fathers and mothers each need to embrace their respective duties and roles in raising a child. In particular, a father’s role is very important for the character formation of boys.

On the other hand, most boys are less sensitive to feelings and tend to rely on reason and logic. That is why, alongside a father figure who instills responsibility and leadership, a mother figure full of love and gentleness is also deeply needed.

For this reason, you need to understand the importance of the art of raising boys, and apply a number of steps so that your child grows into a good man.

Boys: Future Leaders, Husbands, and Fathers

A friend of mine often complains about her husband, who is unwilling to step in and help with household matters. Even though both of them work all day. After coming home from work, her husband is engrossed in his phone, while my friend stays busy preparing dinner, taking care of the children, cleaning, and so on.

Apparently, his wife’s overwhelmed condition did not move him to take over part of the work at home. One day, my friend finally could not bear it anymore and asked her husband for help. But the answer she got was: “Well then, if you’re tired, just leave it. Who told you to bother doing it?”

For fathers, a messy house or a pile of dirty dishes may not be a big problem. But it is different for mothers. A mother naturally wants her home to be clean so her family’s health is maintained. Yet a mother’s time and energy are also limited when it comes to doing everything alone. And when she asks her husband for help, instead of assistance, she gets shouting or indifference.

Boys are future leaders, husbands, and fathers. How wonderful it would be if one day he becomes a leader who is responsible for his family. Becoming a loving husband, willing to help, and not too proud to do household chores. At the same time becoming a fun father who loves to play with his children. How blessed your future son- or daughter-in-law and grandchildren will be to have your son as the head of their family. 

Do Not Delay, Raise Your Child from an Early Age

A person’s quality and character are greatly influenced by how he is raised and brought up. Therefore, it is important for us to instill spiritual values in a child as early as possible. If parents neglect to do this, the world will fill the child with its own teachings. Do not let this happen, leaving a child without proper guidance, because the parents’ work of correcting it later will be heavier and more exhausting. 

Discipline your son while there is hope, but do not desire his death. – Proverbs 19:18

Your hope of raising a good boy is wide open while he is still young. Like a blank sheet of paper, your child’s soul is still open to absorb the good things we “write” on it. A child who is well raised from an early age will be stronger and not easily influenced by bad things. His life will be more guarded into old age.

Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not depart from it. – Proverbs 22:6

Here are five tips for raising boys that you need to apply:

1. Be an Example for Your Child

Parents are God’s representatives on earth. This is a message often conveyed to children. Therefore, parents must reflect the character of Christ, so that a child receives a right picture of God. A father who leads and protects, a mother who is gentle and full of love, all of these are a combination of God’s complex qualities in the persons of parents.

A father loves the mother, the mother respects the father, and parents raise their child with love. This is the clearest example for your child: he can feel God’s presence through both of his parents. In this way, a child will find it easy to believe in God and entrust his life to Him.

2. Instill Biblical Values

Do not assume that small children understand nothing. They may not fully understand what you teach or do, but beautiful memories with their parents will be planted in their subconscious until adulthood. 

Invite children to pray and read God’s word from an early age. Use simple language so that it is easy for children to understand according to their age. Practice biblical values in daily life together with your child. For example, how to admit mistakes, apologize, or forgive others. In this way, a child will know and make God’s word the guide for his life.

3. Get Children Used to Being Responsible for Small Things

Even if you employ a domestic helper, it is still better for a child to be trained to be responsible, at least for himself. 

For example, get a child used to putting away toys or cleaning his own room. A child will not remain comfortably living with his parents forever. One day he will have his own life and challenges. If your child is accustomed to being responsible for small things, he will become a responsible person in every aspect of life.

Also teach your boy basic skills for household chores. Cooking, washing dishes, doing laundry, and cleaning the house are not only women’s work, as some people believe. This mindset and these abilities are actually a plus for a man, because they help him become an independent person in various situations.

4. Teach Him to Respect the Opposite Sex

Boys need to be taught specifically about respecting the opposite sex. Tell your child the difference between male and female, and why God created that difference. Physical differences are not for mocking, but a very precious gift from God. Instead of mocking or belittling, boys should protect girls, whether their sisters or their friends.

5. Do Activities Together

Being close to parents, especially the father, will make a child grow up with strong self-confidence. How could it not? A father is the head of the family and a figure respected by everyone in the home. And that father is very close to him and loves him. Surely the child will be happy, at peace, and feel that he is a valuable person.

Unlike most girls, who are content to sit and talk, boys generally prefer physical activities. Therefore, it is very good if a father makes time to do activities with his child, such as playing, exercising, or going on adventures together. In the midst of those activities, a father can take time to talk heart to heart with his child. This is more effective than sitting down and admonishing a child in a boring way.

Raising boys so that they will one day grow into good men must begin with the example set by parents. Invite children to love prayer and the Word from an early age. Get them used to being responsible and respecting the opposite sex. And, no less important, let them enjoy plenty of time with their father. All of this will make it easier for children to receive and apply the good things taught to them. 

Happy trying. God bless!

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