#13, 14 , 15, 16 Bringing Up Boys

[1daughter5sons]

#13.  Children are going to disappoint us.  It's an inevitable part of  being young.  And when they do, our naturl reaction will be to bark at them, "Why did you do that?" and , "How could you have been so stupid?"  But if we're wise, we'll remember that  they're just immature little human beings like we used to be.  There are times to say with love and wrmth, "That's okay, Son.  You'll do better next time."

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice."   Ephesians 4:31

#14.  When parents have time for their kids, when they get together almost every day for conversation and interaction, their teens do much better in school and in life.  Bottom line?  Families bring stability and mental health to children and teens.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to...give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

#15.  Children love to talk about fun things and funny things.  They love to play games and solve puzzles and look at pictures.  When you interject yourself into their world at these and other points of interest, they will open themselves to you.  All you have to do is give them your time and attention.  Then you won't be able to keep them off your lap!

"I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some." 1 Corinthians 9:22

#16.  Testosterone accounts for at least some of the strange behaviour that drives parents crazy.  It explains why a happy, cooperative twelve-year-old boy can suddenly turn into a sullen, depressed adolescent at thirteen.  There's a tendency for parents to despair during this period because everything they've  tried to teach seems to have misfired.  But mechanisms that set kids aflame will eventually cool down.  That's why I (Dr James Dobson speaking)  believe parents should seek to "just get them through it" rather than try to fix everything that bugs them.

"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7