There’s this saying in parenting and it kind of drives me nuts.
It’s been around since I was a kid, and it continues to thrive today. People use it to describe things they feel can’t be changed, but it’s really nothing more than an excuse.
And it needs to change. Because if we continue to socialise boys to believe that they are incapable of thinking and considering others before acting, then we will never raise a generation of children who treat each other with mutual respect.
And I don’t believe in “never”. So it’s time to start a parenting revolution, my friends. It’s time to put an end to…
“Boys will be boys.”
Do boys play more physically than girls? Depends on the boy. And the girl.
Do boys get silly and messy and loud sometimes? Yes. Do girls? Yes.
Do boys fidget at school and call out answers without remembering to raise their hands? Sometimes. Do girls? Sometimes.
Do you see where I’m going with this? Society dictates that we teach little girls to be proper, polite, respectful, and quiet. But boys? Oh, they’re just boys.
I have one girl and one boy. They have different personalities, for sure.
But this is what they have in common: They are loud, silly, musical, playful, creative, covered head-to-toe in dirt, markers, or paint most days, smart, good problem solvers, kind, caring, loving, empathic, curious, and full of stories.
They don’t hit others because they know that hitting is wrong.
They don’t tease others because they know that teasing hurts. And they embrace differences and learn from others. They are all of those things and more because they’ve been nurtured and taught and loved unconditionally.
Nothing is ever perfect and life isn’t always easy, but the light outweighs the darkness and kindness counts.
Teach kindness. It’s never too late.
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