Post 3: Raising a Prince in a World of Pop Starz

Last post, if you read closely you may have noticed that I mentioned my son meeting a girl at his school.  As a mother, I find myself almost terrified of the responsibility that I have to raise a son that is respectful and kind, in a world where men are expected to misbehave.  Boys will not be boys, I say.  But how does one raise a prince in this world of disrespectful men?  I want to share some tips for relating the importance of being respectful in a world where chivalry is dead.

1. Teach him manners. Manners are not only important to raising a polite son, but are also an important step in raising a boy who is conscious of boundaries and social norms.  I will be the first to say that I have had trouble with Noll in this area.  He still slips up sometimes! And by sometimes, I mean a lot. From my understanding, the girl he met at school is quite well aware of his lapses in manners.  It sounds like I am not the only person to berate him on this matter.
2. Speak to him about relationships. This will encourage him to be open and ask questions. The internet is not always a reliable resource after all, there is a lot of bogus blogs out there. It will also allow him to recognise what is and is not healthy behaviour.  Personally, I know Noll is not a huge fan of talking about his feelings, but he is opening up! I think my speaking about my relationship with his father helps. Even though it is not perfect, by pointing that fact out, I make myself vulnerable and demonstrate that it is okay to be so.
3. Be an example.  If you want your son to respect others, be sure to do the same yourself! Even those who aggravate you beyond belief.
4. Praise good behaviour.  When your son does or says the right thing, act like he just proved once and for all that ghosts were real.  Kids listen to overreaction!  Now, Noll may be a bit too old for this kind of treatment, but praise is still important!  A simple “good job” or an approving smile can go a long way with the teens.
5. Surround your family with positive influences.  Raising a successful child is not a one woman job, though I have tried my darnedest to make it one!  Surrounding you and your children with positive role models can be beneficial to both of you.  As you may know, Noll’s father is not around most of the time.  In his place, I have appointed our very close friend John to act as Noll’s godfather and be a positive influence in his life.  I do not know what we would do without him!

As we all know, parenting has its ups and downs, but I can rest assured knowing I have done my best to raise a princely, respectful, and kind son.  Best of luck to you readers in your parenting adventures!

Love,

Lynn