Hard Working Boy

There's nothing like a hard-woking boy to make a mama smile.  This is an exciting time as my oldest grows into a young man. We are trying to give him plenty of opportunity to do away with childish things and to be influenced by grown men rather than peers. He has learned woodorking, hunting, lawn maintenance, and many other manly skills from his dad and two grandpas.

Here he is working on a project for me. He is making a faux frame for the large maps in our schoolroom. He bought himself a miter box for the project, with money that he earned mowing grass. Seriously, the boy always has more cash than his mama.

A month ago we had a strong wind storm that knocked down the top of a pine tree and laid it out over our driveway. All I had to do was ask my sons to take care of the problem, and they did.  The oldest hacked the twelve foot tree section into smaller lengths, my four year old loaded the wheelbarrow, and the little ones carried the itsiest branches to the burn pile.

Moms have to give boys a chance to be men. Give them real jobs with real tools. Give them plenty of chances to fail or chop their fingers off. It will make them stronger.

Here's a great post that discusses how to grow young men. Another great resource for moms is the audio sermon by SM Davis titled "What to Expect from a Twelve Year Old".

2:09 PM - Jan. 2, 2009 - post comment

Untitled Comment

I agree wholeheartedly!!

Even when I'm scared about it ~ like sending my little man out to do a chore for me. I send him out, all full of confidence, telling him I know he can do it.....then I may watch from a window hoping he won't cut himself or something worse.....but I let him do the job. When he finishes a chore, he is proud of himself, of his accomplishment.

This is what our little men need. Mine is only 7, but he knows he is growing into a man and a daddy and how important that is (yes, my girls know how important a woman and a momma are too!).

I'm amazed at how boys are coddled WAY into their teenage years - by their parents, no less!! We need strong men, and we have to teach them how become those strong men!!

(ok, obviously I agree....sorry to comment with a book)
~Lori
www.michiganmomma.blogspot.com

Anonymous - 9:34 PM - Jan. 2, 2009

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Hi

I love the book, Created for Work by Bob Schultz. I haven't heard the cd you mentioned but I had just put it on my wish list for purchasing it from Vision Forum. I am glad to get the recommendation.

Your son looks like he is really having fun with the projects. What a great thing for a young man.

momofsix - 2:39 PM - Jan. 3, 2009

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Wow

Wow. That's the way to raise boys I think. Get them finding the love of hard work. My husband has fond memories of doing just that when he was a boy.

basketflat - 12:32 AM - Jan. 4, 2009

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So awesome!

What an awesome young man you're raising! I pray my little man will grow up to be a godly young man with a strong work ethic like JD. You and your husband are obviously such devoted and wonderful parents and I know it's all to His glory. You are such an inspiration to me, Beth. One of these days I'm going to get in touch with you....I need the encouragement and support of a woman like you. =)
With Love,
Heather

Anonymous - 9:40 AM - Jan. 4, 2009

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Great post

I love the cd "What to Expect from a Twelve Year Old." I listened to it two nights ago. This week it is on our listening list for our family.

You have a talented son!

Blessings,

Rachel

Edited by Raesfamily on Jan. 6, 2009 at 9:03 AM

Raesfamily - 10:02 AM - Jan. 6, 2009

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