Raising Manly Men

I wrote about raising girls, so I thought to be fair, I should write about my thoughts on raising boys as well. Again, I am not claiming to be any kind of expert, just sharing some of the random thoughts that fly through my mind.


If I have sons one day, I truly hope to raise them to be gentlemen; to open doors for ladies, to have good manners, and to just generally be MEN. I feel like there is too much of the gender-neutral stuff going around today. Men and women are different, and I have always felt that we should embrace and encourage those differences, not try to stifle them. I want my sons to play with trucks, and get dirty, and take things apart to see how they work.

That does not mean a man should be cruel, or a bully or ‘tough-guy.’ I am so blessed to be married to a man who is incredibly gentle and loving, but he is also fiercely protective of his family, and especially of me. I know I am fortunate to have such an example for my children to look up to. He reminds me in many ways of my father, who I know would do anything in his power for any of us. I was lucky enough to go from my father’s house, where I was loved and protected, to my new home with my husband, where I am also loved and protected. Any man who can provide this for his family would truly be considered a successful man in my eyes.