Mom Enough co-hosts Marti & Erin found this discussion on raising boys with Dr. Michael Reichert to be one of the most thoughtful and important episodes they have done.

 

Drawing on his personal story of the death of his brother, his extensive research on boys around the world and his years of clinical experience with boys longing to be heard, this psychologist and highly respected author makes the case that, in his words, “Too many boys lose their intimate connections and emotional voices early in their lives.” But it doesn’t have to be that way!

 

Dr. Reichert offers practical guidance whether you are the parent of a lively preschooler, a 5th-grader trying to succeed in school or a teenager trying to navigate the turbulent waters of romance and sexuality or grappling with disturbing pornographic images on the internet. Tune in to learn key insights from Dr. Reichert's book, How to Raise a Boy: The Power of Connection to Build Good Men.

 
BOYS AND GIRLS ARE NOT AS DIFFERENT AS WE SOMETIMES THINK.
 

If you listen carefully, you are likely to discover that boys and girls are not as different as we sometimes think. We all long for trust, respect, connection. We all long for our needs and feelings to be heard and acknowledged. And when we provide those things to both our sons and daughters, the world will be better for the men and women they become.

 
REFLECT ON HOW YOU WILL BEGIN RAISING BOYS DIFFERENTLY.
 

This week’s Mom Enough guest, Dr. Michael Reichert, says in this discussion, “The problem is not boys, but the boyhood we have built.” What examples can you think of that illustrate this point? What concrete steps could you take to begin to build a better boyhood for the boys in your life, whatever their ages? What one thing will you change in how you are raising your son(s), so they will grow up to be compassionate and caring adults?

 
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
❉  Check out Dr. Reichert's book, How to Raise a Boy: The Power of Connection to Build Good Men, to learn more about raising boys.

 

❉ HELPING OUR CHILDREN BUILD SELF-COMPASSION: KEYS TO KINDNESS, GRATITUDE AND COMPASSION FOR OTHERS. We’ve all heard the question, “What kind of world are we leaving for our children?” But Dr. Shilagh Mirgain, a health and sport psychologist at the University of Wisconsin, turns that question on its head and asks, “What kind of children are we leaving for our world?” Whatever the ages of your children, don’t miss this inspiring and practical discussion of how to help your children develop compassion for themselves and others, recognizing the common humanity, vulnerability and imperfection we all share. Learn concrete steps you can take today to help your children be more grateful, kind and mindful in their daily lives.  

 

❉ PROMOTING HEALTHY MANHOOD: WISDOM FROM THE AUTHORS OF THE BOOK OF DARES. Ted Bunch and Anna Marie Johnson Teague are devoting their lives to building a new kind of strong, healthy manhood where boys and men respect themselves and others, treat women as equals and stand up against violence and injustice. Tune in to hear how they are doing this through A Call to Men and an innovative new book for boys, The Book of Dares: 100 Ways for Boys to Be Kind, Bold and Brave. 

 

❉ CUT TO THE QUICK: THE CONSEQUENCES OF RELATIONAL AGGRESSION AMONG OUR SONS & DAUGHTERS. We’ve all heard “mean girl” stories and many of us probably have lived them. But the social rejection and humiliation kids inflict on each other is not unique to girls; in fact, this episode's Mom Enough guest cites evidence that relational aggression is equally common among boys and girls.