BOYS WILL BE BOYS (what does that even mean?)

Happy Tuesday beautiful people 🥰🥰♥️♥️

This month of August, I will be talking about RAISING BOYS TO BE GOOD MEN. 

I’m sure you’ve heard this phrase before “Boys will be Boys”  (what does that even mean?)

If you have a son, ask yourself if you have ever used the phrase.

Did you use it as an excuse for when your son throws a toy right at his sister’s face? Or secretly steals money from your wallet and sneaks out of the house to go out with his friends when he’s older?

Of course as a parent you would not intentionally encourage your child to be aggressive to others. 

But every time you trivialize his bad behavior or cover up his shortcomings by using the “boys will be boys” excuse, you are in fact disadvantaging your son.

If your son refuses to help clean up after dinner time and runs off to play games instead while your daughter has to help clear the table and wash the dishes, and you shrug it off because “boys will be boys” 

Don’t be surprised if he doesn’t lift a finger to do his fair share of the housework when he’s married and expects his wife to do everything (even if she is also a working mom).

Going by this way of thinking, boys are also expected not to be too emotional. Or to cry when upset, because “they should stop being such a girl.”

It is discouraged for them to play with dolls, or take ballet lessons, or learn how to sew, even though that’s what they’re interested in, because such activities are only reserved for girls.

They won’t be given much sympathy if they are the victim of bullying in school even though it is not their fault, because it is considered girly of them to not stand up for themselves or fight back.

I’m afraid I have to stop writing here 

If you want to read the full post you may need to join our parenting group here 👇👇

By using the phrase “boys will be boys”  you are:

– Dismissing instead of correcting your son’s negative behaviour

– Never-ending gender discrimination

– Teaching him to not be responsible or accountable for his own actions

– Unintentionally setting him up for failure in life

Boys or girls, children will misbehave. They will try to duck out of doing their chores, get into fights with their friends or siblings. 

Ask yourself, does your daughter get punished for certain things while your son is able to get off scot-free?

My final thoughts 

We all love our children and only want what is best for them, so teach your son the valuable lesson of being responsible and accountable for his own actions.

Let him know that he should not expect to get a free pass nor does he have the upper hand in life simply because he is a boy living in a male dominated society.

Make him understand that if he misbehaves or does something wrong, there will be consequences to bear. 

What are your thoughts? 

Thanks 

Olu ♥️♥️

#boyswillbeboys

#parents

#momslife

#beintentional

#positiveparentingwitholu

#raisingboys

#girlsvsboys

#allchildrenmatter