Raising a Confident Child

I have been reading What A Son Needs From His Mom by Cheri Fuller. I love this book! When I found out that I was having a boy 2 years ago (where does time go?) I was terrified. There aren't very many boys in my family. We have TONS of girls. Don't get me wrong...I love all my nieces to pieces! There were so many things running through my mind about having a boy. For starters, potty training! I mean how am I supposed to know anything about how that works for a boy. Yipes! (luckily we have the best babysitter in the world who has started and almost completely potty trained him!) I wasn't only worried about what to do concerning that kind of boy stuff. I was terrified that I would do a poor job at raising a boy. Raising a little girl has for the most part been a piece of cake! (I know, I know just wait until she is in Jr. High and High School). I ran across this book and I LOVE it! It has reassured me in many ways and helped to realize so many things about little boys that I would have never thought of. Not only has it helped me with Collier, my little guy, but it has also helped me with my first graders. 

Raising a confident young man was one of my main worries when I found out we were having a boy. Cheri Fuller does a great job of showing parents how to raise a confident boy. She says "A sense of confidence (believing he is capable but without arrogance) develops on the inside of a boy, it is strongly influenced by his relationships and especially how he is treated by his parents". WOW! Makes so much sense but I never sat down and thought about it. Of coarse that would affect how he feels about himself and what he can do on his own. This is a serious issue with the parents of many young students. They are not getting what they need from their parents. Cheri also says that "when they are young, kids measure their worth on how they are valued and perceived by others, especially Mom and Dad".  That one sentence puts so much into perspective for me. If we aren't showing our little guy that is has worth and that he is loved and accepted by us then we are failing as his parents. No pressure right!!! I felt better the more I read on. She goes on to say that "The major way a mother can foster confidence in her son in preschool years is to build his sense of security by warm, responsive care, hugging, approval, structure, buckets of love, and encouragement". All the love that I have poured out to my son and daughter shows by the confidence that they have already. I don't have perfect children...but they are confident, caring, and bright. They know without a doubt that I love them and that I am here for them no matter what. I truly hope that if I do one thing in life right that it is to raise my children with nothing but love, accept them no matter what, hug them, encourage them, and protect them when physically possible. 

 If you are the mother to a little guy then I suggest that you read her book. I am only on the third chapter but I can't put it down. I have to keep reading to ensure that I am doing the best that I can for my kiddos. I will end today with a quote from Cheri's book:

"The brain of a child who feels secure, loved, and happy can direct all its attention toward learning and growth rather than focusing on worries and fears". -Jane Healy Your Child's Growing Mind