BOYS!

I have spoke much on raising daughters and not much on raising sons. I think I might put down some thoughts on the subject.

When I was in kindergarten, my father found out about a job. We were living in West Tennessee and it would mean moving to Texas. I was young and do not remember any of this. My only "memory" is from pictures. Thank goodness for polaroid!

I am the oldest of 2 children, the other being another girl. The only job I remember my father having in Texas while I was growing up is on the offshore oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico. He would leave on Tuesday, get home a week later on Tuesday. Seven days on, seven days off. He would drive to Sabine Pass, Texas and take a helicopter to the rig. When it was time to go home, the helicopter would take them home. I even have pictures of one of the oil rigs that my father worked on.

Well, I say all that because my father wasn't around. Don't get me wrong, I do believe my father loved us and wanted to spend time with us but I am not sure he knew what to do with daughters. I don't blame him. I am sure he did the best he could. I struggle now with raising my son. I am a girl. Caleb is a boy! Just that fact is the first problem. I know the struggles of a girl. I don't know the struggles of a boy.

My first book to read is the Bible. The Holy Bible gives us some very clear paths to choose. God gave us some great men of wisdom and that's why I recently borrowed the book "Bringing Up Boys" by James Dobson from the library. I just started reading it so I am no expert yet. Just kidding but I am serious about what it says. Living with my husband and watching Caleb interact with other boys as he grows is very inlightening. I am amazed at how they act, behave, talk, fight, argue, etc. Boys are always trying to "one-up" the other, meaning if their friends can do one thing, they can do that AND something else better! Or they know someone who can! It's quite different! I guess girls do that to some extent but I haven't witnessed as much out of Erin as I have Caleb.

Caleb is 9 and will be 10 next month. When do the "hormones" kick in for boys? When do they need "the talk?" I won't be the one giving the talk and I am glad for that. I have a husband for that. What else do I need to know about boys and men? Am I forgetting anything? I am sure I am! That's why I will read the Bible, "Bringing Up Boys," and talk to my husband. I am sure they will all be a great source of guidance and wisdom.

If you have any guidance or wisdom for me, I would love to hear it! Please leave a comment.