Podcasts Kids & Family Parenting Don't Mom Alone Podcast The Art of Nurturing Boys :: David Thomas [Ep 119]

The Art of Nurturing Boys :: David Thomas [Ep 119]

Published: May 9, 2016, 4:27 a.m.

I\u2019m not a boy. Yet I\u2019m raising four of them to be men.

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And as much as culture tries to tell us there aren\u2019t differences between boys and girls. My every day experience begs to differ. I truly don\u2019t understand the \u201cwhy\u201d behind most\xa0of my boys\u2019 choices. And it never benefits me to ask.

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This week (for my own help and maybe yours too) I\u2019ve invited\xa0David Thomas\xa0on the show. As a family therapist and director at DayStar Counseling Center in Nashville, David has lots of experience counseling families and children. Having his own set of twin boys has provided a lot of education as well.

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The first book I ever read that gave me a glimpse into the mind of a boy is David\u2019s book\xa0\u201cWild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys\u201d**.\xa0\xa0Then I heard him\xa0speak at a DotMom event and I\u2019ve always wanted to have him on the show.

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Our conversation did not disappoint. David\u2019s genteel manner and calm approach gave me such peace. Afterwards I felt encouraged and equipped to not only \u201chandle\u201d my boys but enjoy their uniqueness.

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David answered a slew of questions I received on Facebook from listeners. But a theme emerged in each topic we covered: outlets and boundaries. David would point out a need boys have and how we as moms could\xa0provide a proper outlet for that need.\xa0But he also gave great instruction on how to train on boys in regulation,\xa0by setting boundaries on where and when those needs can be met.

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If you are a boymom, get ready to be\xa0set free from a lot of guilt over \u201cwhy your boy does that\u201d. And given some practical ideas to help create places and times in your family\u2019s schedule to\xa0let \u201cboys be boys\u201d but not allow that phrase to be an excuse for unkind or inappropriate behavior.

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If you\u2019re not a boymom, I hope this will still be an entertaining episode to help you understand your husband, nephews, friend\u2019s son. And stay tuned because I\u2019m working with David\u2019s partner\xa0Sissy Goff to record a \u201cRaising Girls\u201d episode this fall.\xa0(Of course, feel free to share this episode with any boymom friends you have. . .they will thank you!).

\n What we chat about:
  • When and how to let boys rough-house/wrestle
  • How \u201cStage One boys\u201d (ages 1 to 4 years old) express love with aggression.
  • Providing an outlet and training regulation and respect.
  • How to help our boys who feels things deeply (the ones often labeled as \u2018sensitive\u2019).
  • Giving boys ways to process emotions with space and physical outlets.
  • Helping boys hear our directions and respond to us.
  • Taking advantage of how boys are hardwired visually.
  • How to handle when boys talking about private parts, farting, etc.
  • 4 & 14 year old boys and their testosterone surges.
\n Links Mentioned: \n

**Amazon affiliate link