{Raising Boys Day 22} 5 Tips to Enjoy Raising Boys

As a momma of three boys, my most earnest prayer is that God will lead and guide me into being the mother my three boys need for every step of their life. At their current ages 11, 6, and 5 my boys are into video gaming, rough housing, bike riding, running, climbing trees, legos, wrestling (though it’s mostly kicking and punching), and jumping off everything that is not nailed down. I am not 100% ready for this phase of life but thank the good Lord He knows my boys inside and out.

After thinking about what I would love to share with other mommas of boys, here is a very short list of some things that have helped me enjoy the ups and downs of parenting boys. 

Enjoy Raising Boys {Even More} with these 5 Simple Tips:

1. Get active. As much as possible, let boys be boys. One way that we have found helpful is by going on neighborhood walks together (almost everyday when the weather is nice). The boys get to ride their bikes which they love, while I get my walking/jogging in for the day. Getting outdoors is great for them, they get a chance to admire nature, enjoy the sun, and most importantly expend their energy. And we seldom return home without them finding some sort of treasure along the way, whether it’s a caterpillar, an unusual rock, or a cool stick that doubles as a sword- they always seem to find something. And I have learned the hard way, when they don’t get their energy out outside, they end up unleashing it indoors.
2. Promote creativity. Each of my boys are so unique in how God created them, just like each of your children are. Take time to get to know them, to know what makes them tick and what gets them excited about learning! For my boys it’s Legos – anything with Legos. My husband invests his time building legos with our boys and they absolutely love that their Dad spends time playing with them. Their time together inspired him to create the Faith Builders curriculum which launched last year to bring the love of the Lord and Legos together. Another great way I help my sons to be creative is by Scrapbook Journaling to the Lord. I provide them all the supplies like paper, colored pencils and stickers and we all sit around the table journaling, creating, drawing and scrapbooking to the Lord. Doing this together feeds my soul deeply seeing my boys worshiping the Lord in this way.
3. Take time to be silly with your boys. This one is a challenge for me since I homeschool my boys and I am with them 24/7. So, when they ask me to play, what I want to say is, “Go ask your brother” or “Can we do it later?” But almost every time I say that, “later” never comes and I put off my son for something not nearly as important as they are. I desire to be a mom that laughs and tickles, and giggles with them. I want to be a mom that can handle a little potty humor every now and again and laugh at the silly jokes they make up. Laugh. Tickle. Hug. Tell stories. Read books. Have fun. Be silly. I want to do more of that and less of the needless million other things I think I have to do. When I put my children first and play with them I end up having fun too! So, like Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (Luke 18:16)
4. Go on dates with your son. I cherish my dates with my boys. When my oldest was the only child, I had no need to do dates with him because it was only him all the time …lol! But now I have three boys wanting my attention and I realized how much they truly need it. Every time my middle son and I go out on a date, he always asks for two things- to go to a play area and ice cream! How can I say no to that?! So, take some time to get one-on-one with each child during the year and ask them what they would like to do. You’ll both be glad you did.
5. Be intentional about teaching them the Lord. I saved the best for last! This one is very dear to my heart. My #1 goal as a parent is to raise my boys to know that God loves them and to guide them in having a relationship with the Maker of their soul. It starts at any age, they can never be too young or too old- just start wherever you are! When my boys were just babies I would pray over them as I nursed them or rocked them. I would pray verses or scriptures over them as they slept. I would sing songs about Jesus to them. When they were toddlers my husband and I read short books about Bible stories as we cuddled. As they have grown older we get them age appropriate Bibles and devotionals for them, so they can read about God whenever they choose. I want to make sure as my boys grow up in this world they will grow strong in the Lord as well! Even before our children were born we prayed for their salvation. Salvation in Jesus Christ is the MOST important decision in our son’s entire life. Each of our boys have now accepted Jesus Christ into their hearts and I am so utterly amazed for the Lord’s faithfulness and their love for the Lord even at 5, 6, and 11. God works in all ages! Keep Praying for your boys!

[bctt tweet=”Five great tips to help you enjoy raising your boys! #boymom @DevotedToMaker”]

Thanks for letting me share what has been on my heart. I can’t help but think of the verse in Hebrews 12:1 where it says,

“…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us”

Mommas, let us run this race of motherhood together clinging to God, praying fervently, and uplifting other s as we do this mother thing to our very best! Let us love God well so our boys can see Jesus shining through us. I am praying for you friend!

If you were encouraged by this post, please join me over at my website DevotedToMaker.com where I write about the Maker of our soul, all things boys, homeschooling, saving money, crafting, scrapbook journaling, and every month I design and give away a free digital print 🙂 Many Blessings mommas, see you soon!