Top 10 Things Every Parent Should Teach Their Boys!
I almost gave up on posting the Top 10 feature this week because I was unable to come up with a Top 10 list that felt worthy of being published. I do not like posting something just for the sake of posting or meeting my weekly goal of posting a Top 10 List. I prefer to post only when I feel something deserves to be written and read.
Every time I find myself in distress, my dad and mom always come to my rescue. This time they rescued me when they decided to address me about all the things I should teach my little boy (now that he is starting to grow up!). Although, I felt like they were lecturing me down, I quickly realized that everything they had to say were valuable pearls of wisdom. Strike 1 for my parents, for being able to inspire this post on a particularly insipid day!
So, after listening to them for almost an hour, here’s what I learned and will be striving to achieve with my young fella! Heads up to my boy: there’s a storm heading your way, buddy! 😀
- The Kitchen is Not Just for Girls!
There is no place that should be deemed as just for girls or just for boys. By learning to use the kitchen (i.e. by learning to cook and do dishes) you are not doing anyone but yourself a favor! Remember that!
- Grooming is for Everyone!
It’s important to carry yourself well. Shower every day, keep your nails trim, use a deodorant and groom yourself! It matters not just to you but everyone around you!
- Every Job is Important – Not Just Yours!
It is easy to think that only your job is hard and time consuming. News Flash – that’s not true! Every job is important because it takes time and effort from the person doing it. Be it a successful CEO, a stay at home mom or a student intern.
- Never Use the Fist to Solve a Problem!
No – it is not ‘manly’ to solve a problem using your fists. It is more ‘gentlemanly’ to use your brain and the compassion in your mind to solve problems!
- Fearlessly Be Yourself!
It’s easy to want to change to impress that girl or to be friends with that popular boy. But it’s way cooler to be yourself!
- Men = Women = Humans!
It does not make a difference if you are a man and she is a woman. We are all Humans first. Never think one is superior to the other.
- Be Respectful and Courteous!
There is nothing more ‘Gentlemanly’ than being respectful and courteous to everyone. At the same time, learn to respect yourself.
- It’s Not All about the Looks!
Girls are much more than their physical self. Learn to see the inner beauty of the girl you are with. Appreciate their intelligence, not just their beauty.
- Disciplined and Organized = Cool!
There is nothing cool about unorganized and undisciplined ways. On the contrary, being organized and disciplined adds to your personality and your charms!
- Don’t be afraid to be Vulnerable!
It’s totally fine to be vulnerable when you feel like the world is weighing in on you! Don’t be afraid to accept that. Talk to the ones you are close to when you feel vulnerable; it’s the best thing you can do for yourself!
I will try my best to instill these values on my son and I hope these lessons help him in his life’s journey. What would you like to add to this list? Let me know in the comments.
Image Source: Pinterest, Giphy, Lifehack
Rashmi P. Menon
A Single Mother with an unbreakable passion to Live the Life! I am a Writer/Author by passion and an IT Project Manager by profession. I am also the voice of Artemis at In The Pantheon - a multi-author collaborative writing project. When not hunting as Artemis, I am busy querying agents and working on my multiple writing projects. Women Empowerment and Child Rights Advocate.
53 Comments
Krista Kemp
Fantastic Top 10 list!
MindandLifeMatters
Thank you Krista! 🙂
Jennifer Juneau
I love your list they are so true!! I do these at home too and I really like the first one in the kitchen 😉
MindandLifeMatters
Thank you Jennifer! So glad you do the same at home!
Haha…yea the first one is very important! 😉
Jennifer Juneau
😀😀😀
Meritings
Well done Mom and Dad. To these I would add “It is OK to cry” and “A hug can work miracles”
MindandLifeMatters
Absolutely! It’s OK to cry when one feels like it, it can relieve the mind of burdens!
And I couldn’t agree more about the hug, sometimes that’s all one needs to work miracles! Thank you, Peter! 🙂
Miriam
I think you’ve hit the nail on the head with all of these. Such a great post and such important lessons for both boys and girls. Can totally relate with what I’ve taught my two kids. Loved it.
MindandLifeMatters
Thank you, Miriam! I am so glad you enjoyed the post and also to know that you are successful in imparting this knowledge on to your kids, I hope to be able to do so for my son! 🙂
Miriam
From everything you wrote I’m sure you will. Have a wonderful weekend.
MindandLifeMatters
Thank you! You too, have a wonderful weekend! 🙂
ranu802
These are good things for everyone. 🙂
MindandLifeMatters
Very true, Ranu! 🙂
Creative Crafts DIY
Marvelous tips….😀
MindandLifeMatters
Indeed! Thank you for reading! 🙂
Creative Crafts DIY
🙂
ladieswholunchreviews
Those are such good ideas. Your parents are very wise and have raised a lovely daughter!
MindandLifeMatters
Aww…thank you so much for the kind words. I am glad you enjoyed the post! 🙂
Joe Cosme
Love it! Our boys need this advice. Thanks for sharing. 🙂 Joe
MindandLifeMatters
Thank you, Joe! I am glad you enjoyed the post! 🙂
Rashmi
Joe Cosme
YW Rashmi. I just think it’s important to give our boys the right tools to live in our world. It’s very popular these days to preach about helping ours girls to be independent, strong, and empowered; teaching them not to feel inferior to the male sex. However, we forget there’s a flip side to this. We also have to teach our boys some things to balance out the equation. Your parents gave you some sound advice. 🙂 Joe
MindandLifeMatters
Couldn’t agree more with you on that, Joe. It’s important to teach both boys and girls and not preach just to one group! 🙂
Rashmi.
Joe Cosme
🙂
thebrunetteinthepinkscarf
This is a wonderful list, Rashmi!! Your son has a great Mom 😀
MindandLifeMatters
Haha, thank you dear! I should tell this to my son that he has a great mom! 😉 He will probably roll on the floor laughing! 😛
thebrunetteinthepinkscarf
You are very welcome! He might roll on the floor laughing now, but there will come a day he will agree with the statement – this I am certain! Have a great weekend! 😀
MindandLifeMatters
Thank you again! You too, have a great weekend! 😀
Nicodemas
Wow, just wonderful!
MindandLifeMatters
Thank you, Nicodemas!
Would it be alright if I address you as Nico?
Nicodemas
Sure, many do!
MindandLifeMatters
Awesome, Nico! 🙂
Nicodemas
Cool!
Dr Meg Sorick
Excellent list! Love the gifs! Especially the first one! 😂 Adi is a lucky young man to have such an awesome mom!
MindandLifeMatters
Aww….thank you so much, Meg!
Yep….the GIF’s especially the first one cracked me up too! Glad you enjoyed them 😀
Leland Olson Hoel
Words of wsidom.
MindandLifeMatters
Thank you, Leland! 🙂
Feelings and Freedom
Hey that’s quite a comprehensive list. And you posted it at the right time…my son is eight too and has started acting manly quite lately 🙂 This will be quite handy. And yes don’t forget to tell boys that it’s cool to love and hug your parents too !!
MindandLifeMatters
Aww…you have an 8 year old too, that’s sweet! 🙂
True that, it is always cool to hug your parents and express the love! 🙂
Wandering Soul
Good advice, indeed. Adi has an amazing mom and she has amazing parents who are imparting such amazing words of wisdom. 🙂
I’d just like to add one more point. That’s to ‘not be judgemental’. It’s very easy to pass comments on people and categorise or define them on the basis of one interaction. But there’s more to people than what meets the eye. So, give them the benefit of the doubt even when they are being difficult or rude. At the same time, don’t trust everyone easily or let them take you for a ride.
I already know he is into reading so not saying that again 😀
MindandLifeMatters
Thank you, Pingu! Yes, his grandparents are amazing! 😀
Agree with you on not being Judgmental, people often times categorize others based on what meets the eye without stopping to think that there could be more or less to what they perceive!
Dawn Marie
Love, love this! These pearls of wisdom are wonderfully condensed & I couldn’t agree more! Hugs!!!
MindandLifeMatters
Thank you, Dawn! Glad you enjoyed the post.
Hugs to you too! 🙂
Darshith Badiyani
Loved your tips 😉 I would definitely do this with my kids(if I have any) 😛
MindandLifeMatters
Haha, thank you, Darshith!
jacquelineobyikocha
This is great and I agree with it totally. It really up to us the parents to help set them on the right track.
MindandLifeMatters
Absolutely! And the efforts to set them on the right path starts early!
There’s a saying in our community which directly translates as “There is no point in watering the head of a plant, if you haven’t watered the roots!”
Nelia de Villiers
Love your clips to demonstrate. It ads another dimension. Thanks
MindandLifeMatters
Thank you, Nelia. Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Charu
Perfect practical tips nicely worded Rashmi with cute clips..I wish I can teach my kiddos to be happy and smiling no matter what life brings!! that can help to handle the problems or enjoy the happiness more..
MindandLifeMatters
Thank you, Charu! Teaching them to be happy no matter what is very important.
Tareau Barron
Good list. However I will say about fights that sometimes you have to fight for someone weaker than you. You have to be a better man and walk away but sometimes you have to display toughness and say enough is enough. Fighting should be a last option
MindandLifeMatters
I agree. Sometimes, walking away may not help and a fight may become a necessity.
Tareau Barron
Yes that’s right. I’ll use myself as an example. I used to get bullied at the park. This cat named Jeff would always bother me. I would tell him to leave me alone. Well he never listened. One day I was fed up with Jeff messing with me and I punched him in the face. Never bothered me after that.