Raising a Man – Not a Son

I’ve had the conversation a few times recently and it sometimes raises eyebrows when I say that I’m raising a man, not a son. My hope is that the lessons he learns now will help him be a man, and a good, respectful, honest, and confident one.

• If you see G walking around with shoes on the wrong feet, it’s because he is being independent and doing it himself.
• If you see him wearing Christmas socks with sandals and his swim suit, it’s because he’s thinking for himself.
• If you see him asking for help, it’s because I constantly tell him to ask for help if he needs it and to not be embarrassed by it.
• If you see him paying for items at a store, it’s because he’s taking ownership and being responsible and independent.
• If you see me asking him why he’s crying instead of just coddling him, it’s because I want him to be able to express his emotions without being ashamed of them.
• If you see me making him order at a restaurant, it’s because he needs to learn confidence and ask for what he wants.
• If you see me making sure that he says “please” and “thank you”, well, we should all say please and thank you.

I know some people will disagree with this thinking, but I’m hoping you thank me in about 14 years.