Powered by RedCircle How do you respond to a 6-year-old boy who thinks he has to “play rough” to prove his masculinity? How can you make space a small boy’s emotions when you also have other kids to keep on track? And what do you do, exactly, when your formerly potty-trained son starts having accidents … Continue reading Listener Q & A: Navigating the Complexities of Raising Boys
Powered by RedCircle Raising boys isn’t easy. Living isn’t easy! But with patience, trust, and community support, it’s easier — & more pleasant. In this wide-ranging conversation, Janet Allison & Jennifer L.W. Fink , the hosts of ON BOYS podcast, discuss the reality of raising boys in 2024. Takeaways: Nobody has it all figured … Continue reading Janet & Jen on Life & Raising Boys
Powered by RedCircle In this episode, Jen & Janet discuss: The end of an era (Jen’s last son finishes high school!) What Jen will NOT miss about having a kid a school How parenting is like labor & birth Transactional vs. relational communication Letting boys take control of aspects of their life Rebuilding trust Apologizing … Continue reading Connecting With Boys & Answering Your Questions
Powered by RedCircle How, exactly, does one “get curious” about their son without badgering him? That’s a big, important question, and that’s exactly what Jennifer wants to know: Lately, as he is resisting my normal questioning…I feel like I am now pushing him to evaluate his feelings, talk to me, or just engage…I have seen … Continue reading Listener Q & A: Getting Curious & Motivating Boys
Powered by RedCircle How do you make space for a teenage boy to make his own mistakes? Especially when said teenager is frustrating, annoying, and contributing to family chaos? Sandra said: Teenager years are frustrating — wanting to tell him what do, yet I know he needs to make his own mistakes. Throw in toddler … Continue reading Listener Q & A: Punishment, Teenage Boys, & Letting Go
Powered by RedCircle How do you support sibling relationships and build brother-sister bonds? Or connect with a tween son? Those are just a few of the questions Jen & Janet tackle in 2023’s first listener Q & A. Matthew says: We have 3 boys (15, 17, & 19) and 3 girls (2, 9, & 13)…our … Continue reading Listener Q & A: Supporting Sibling Relationships, Finding Common Ground & More
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Why do boys….? Bringing up boys brings up all kinds of questions! Jen & Janet have answers. Tamara asks: Why do boys communicate through physical touch/aggression and use sarcasm for communication rather than regular conversation? Katrina worries that her son may be alienating himself from his friends — and missing out on social opportunities — … Continue reading Listener Q & A: Boy Communication, Socialization, & Girl Power
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Raising boys brings up all kinds of questions! Kristen asks: Is it normal for a 9-10 year old boy to get into physical altercations with friends at every play date? Juliann asks for help figuring out how to best support a son who is “generally non-ambitious” when he finally identifies and pursues an ambition. She … Continue reading Listener Q & A: Playdates, School, Support, & Messes!
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Parenting teen boys is not easy. They’re bigger than us. Stronger than us. They speak in a language we don’t necessarily understand — if they choose to speak at all. Their focus is turning outward, just as we parents realize how little time we have left to teach them all the things they need to … Continue reading Listener Q & A – Parenting Teen Boys
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How do we help boys listen & learn? In month whatever of the pandemic, we’re all grappling with a lot of tough questions, including what to do about school and injustice and inequality. We can’t give you any easy answers regarding schooling during the cornonavirus pandemic or the fight for equality and justice. There aren’t … Continue reading Help Boys Listen & Learn (Listener Q & A)