The more we understand the pressures our boys face in the wider world, the better we’ll be able to help them cope with those pressures. The more we understand our boys’ experiences, the better we’ll be able to advise, guide, parent and teach our boys.
In the agonizing moments before their names are called, those last boys picked for the kickball or basketball team during gym, or its un-legislated twin—recess—are getting a tutorial in what it means to be considered a liability. Alternating turns, the team captains—boys chosen for their
When your children aren’t old enough to be at preschool, it can be hard to know how to keep them busy. You might go to toddler groups or arrange playdates with friends. It can be tricky to get the balance right, though. How much should
The world is drowning in so much hate right now. People on the left are shouting at people on the right, and people are the right are shouting right back. There’s been an apparent uptick in racial harassment and many people are worried for their
On a spectacular spring day several years ago, my nine-year-old son, Jake, and I stepped into an elevator following a routine dentist’s appointment, headed for home. Jake, by the way, is one of those boys who doesn’t like sports, isn’t any good at them, and
The year was 2003, and all four of my kids were going through a very rough time — which meant that my husband and I were going through a very rough time. At times it felt as though our lives were falling apart…When things were
I was teaching primary school when I first realized that boys need extra support to develop their emotional intelligence. At the time, most of my students were from non-English speaking backgrounds. The boys would often return to class from breaks, upset and overwhelmed by emotionally
It’s hard enough to talk body parts and their intricacies with a fellow adult; discussing them with a teenager who’d rather have his spleen removed by tiny gnawing rodents than hear you say “penis” is a feat like no other. — Heidi Stevens It is
It can be very, very difficult to talk to our boys about rape culture and sexual consent. In many cases, they don’t want to hear it and we don’t want to talk about it. But it is ESSENTIAL to talk to our boys (& girls) about
Social-emotional competency is key to school success, but doesn’t come naturally to a lot of boys. In my book, The Elementary and Middle School Student-Friendly Handbook to Navigating Success, I detail eight strategies students can use to handle stressors and prevent bullying — as well
The news is impossible to miss: Donald Trump said, on tape, that he grabs women by the pussy. That he kisses them without consent. Many others will debate and discuss what this means for American politics. What this moment means for American parents is that
Do you know what emotional intelligence is and why it’s important? Emotional intelligence is the ability to identify and respond to emotions (yours, and others’) in healthy, productive ways. You’ve likely already noticed both high and low levels of emotional intelligence in action. Think about
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