Young Boys in America: Oversensitive and Underworked

                  Parents can no longer count on school for the emotional development of their sons. In a foam covered world of lollipop dreams and chocolate streams where no one skins a knee our young boys are being over-sensitized and under-challenged. I see it every day in my young male students. They come to me clinging on their mothers leg so tightly we have to have some of them surgically removed. It’s a simple procedure. One day surgery…in and out but not covered by most insurance since I’m not a licensed or trained surgeon.

                    Here are a few tips for Parents to help Toughen Up their sons. This also works for daughters and most pets.

1. “Pick me up” and “Carry me” are out after 2 1/2 years of age. When you take your first step…get used to it and keep on walking. I see so many parents holding 3 and 4 year olds simply because they want to be picked up. The answer is no. If you whine or complain you will be punished. An average 3 or 4 year old is heavy and there is no reason for them to be held like a baby while your back slowly disintegrates and you see the signs of osteoporosis in your early thirties. 

2. No means no. Get used to it.

3. Go outside and play. The backyard, the front yard, a neighbors yard, a school yard, Scotland Yard, etc. 

4. No baby voices anymore. There is nothing more annoying than a six year old boy who uses baby voices or high shrilling squeals that have every dog in the neighborhood humping a pillow or hiding under a bed. Use your big boy voice now.

5. Allow your sons to enjoy the following experiences that every young boy should know…skimming rocks in a lake…riding a go-cart…climb a ladder…swim in the deep end…roll down a hill…sleigh riding…run with the bulls in Spain…have a dog (no, cats don’t count)…learn a cool instrument( no, clarinet doesn’t count)…hold a dead bird…shoot a BB rifle (no, that’s not how the bird died. It was just on the ground when we got there. Really)…hiking( no, not carrying him hiking)…build something…drop chocolate covered cherries off a roof in NYC…get dirty…walk in the rain…have chores (real chores, struggle builds character, do you want him living in your basement when he is 40 while you still cut the crust off his bread?)…take martial arts classes…have a pocket knife( no, that’s not how the bird died either. It was like that when we got there. I swear.)…save your own money for the toy you want…and lastly, rough it up like a boy should.