Gender Differences, Bragging & Raising World Citizens



It’s time for another listener Q & A! A Boys Alive! FB group member asks: How can I interest a teen boy in becoming a good world citizen? A Twitter follower asks: What do you say to boys who say they’re the best at…whatever the conversation is about. I’ve heard this from multiple 7/8/9 yo … Continue reading Gender Differences, Bragging & Raising World Citizens


Helping Boys Head Back to School



The beginning of the school year stirs up a lot of emotions for boys — and their parents. The number of boys who don’t like school has been increasing in recent years. In 1980, just 14% of boys told researchers they “didn’t like” school. By 2001, 24% — nearly one-quarter of all boys — said … Continue reading Helping Boys Head Back to School


Coaches Speak about Youth Sports



Youth sports are a BIG DEAL.  According to ESPN, 28.7 million American kids between the ages of 6 and 17 played youth sports in 2013. That number is likely low; many kids start well before age 6. Gone are the days when boys started Little League at age 10 or 11. Today, T-ball begins at … Continue reading Coaches Speak about Youth Sports


Addressing Racism & Racial Disparities with Hilary Beard



Black boys fare worse than white boys in 99% of America. Here to help us untangle the many factors that affect black boys’ experience in America is Hilary Beard, author of Promises Kept: Raising Black Boys to Succeed in School and Life and creator of Rise & Thrive Online Parenting Program. “We thought we were … Continue reading Addressing Racism & Racial Disparities with Hilary Beard


Masks We Wear with Ashanti Branch



Our boys often wear metaphorical masks. We all do, in fact. At work, we typically wear our confident, professional faces. At home, we aim for warm, nurturing and competent. But underneath, we may be feeling anger, frustration, sadness or shame. Our “masks” allow us to go about our days and meet our responsibilities without ruffling … Continue reading Masks We Wear with Ashanti Branch


Sensory Processing Disorder with Nancy Peske



Do you know what sensory processing disorder (SPD) is?  Many parents (and teachers) don’t, but 5-15% of all children exhibit symptoms of SPD, which affects how they learn, socialize and interact with the world. It’s possible that your child has a sensory processing problem that you haven’t yet recognized as an issue with available & … Continue reading Sensory Processing Disorder with Nancy Peske


Encouraging Independence



As we in the United States celebrate our nation’s independence, we reflect on our boys’ drive for independence.  Toddlers cry, “I do it!” when we attempt to put on their clothes. Our teens scowl when we tell them what time to be home. Their frustration — toddlers’ & teens’ alike — is driven by their … Continue reading Encouraging Independence


Summer Survive and Thrive Tips



Ahhhh, summer! Relaxed lazy days….oh, who are we kidding?!? For most parents in the Northern hemisphere, summer is a time of stress. The kids are home from school and the parents have to somehow juggle their regular work schedule while also trying to keep their kids engaged, active and on screens for less than 12 … Continue reading Summer Survive and Thrive Tips


Backcountry, Barbells & Boys



What do you get when you mix two fitness- and outdoors-minded dads with two moms who are staunch advocates for boys? A freewheeling discussion that touches on everything from fatherhood to weapons play and the current lack of movement in schools. Janet met Jaremy Day, co-host of the podcast Backcountry & Barbells, when she spoke … Continue reading Backcountry, Barbells & Boys


Breaking the Boy Code



The Boy Code. The Man Box. Whatever you want to call it, our boys are constrained by a largely unspoken set of expectations that exert pressure on them to behave and act in certain ways. Jonathon Reed helps boys — and others — understand and question these expectations. His podcast, Breaking the Boy Code, features … Continue reading Breaking the Boy Code