http://www.crosswalk.com/parenting/11631228/

Found this article and thought I'd share. Any thoughts?[hug]

Good stuff.
I definitely see how I need to remind mine to do things like clip their nails. One is a biter, so it's not an issue, though I would prefer he CLIP! hahaha Another gets long cruddy nails FAST..I have to watch that one.

I try not to worry about fashion either. I do suggest things to them from time to time, encourage them to step out of their black/camo box LOL Hey, that got a button up shirt, untucked, with a spiffy vest for all but one ;) I'm diggin' that. They look very hip in that get up, if I do say so myself.

That warrior thing is kinda tough. When/how to tame it. They want to be gregarious like that all the time. The balance can be tricky, which kinda plays into that be respectful part as well as the tact, in a way. I can see that in some friends especially. Not trying to point out their flaws and ignore my own, I'm just saying I can see how they have always allowed their boys 'to be boys' yet seriously slacked in teaching them to be tactful, respectful, gentlemen.

I wish I could instill a little more warrior mindset in mine, personally. I'd like to see them be more passionate about something. Something other than Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Lord of the Rings ;)

Oh and yes...check pockets!!! Even when they're 36, check their pockets!! LOL

great article.

That's why God made me a mom of boys, lol!

Good article!!

When it comes to noticing the little things they do to help you, one thing I've noticed recently with my 11.5 yr old is that he is eager to help, but may not always know how eg. when I'm getting them ready for school, he wants to help, but not get in my way. So, what he has started asking is "How can I help you, mum?" I love the way he asks "How" instead of just "Can" - he's showing that he really wants to help, and is expecting to do so, just isn't sure where to start, lol. If he asks "Can I help you?", if I'm in a hurry I usually say "No, it's OK thanks", however by asking "How can I help you?", it makes me think of things he can do for me, which gives him a buzz, in that way that boys love to be big enough, old enough, strong enough, to help their mums, lol!

Oh and yes...check pockets!!! Even when they're 36, check their pockets!! LOL

T, I had to chuckle with this because I was not as diligent about this until I washed DH's cell phone. He was not angry with me because he blamed himself for not getting it out. I felt terrible.

I've washed his ear phones more times than I care to recollect. Thankfully, he's only been through 3 pair for his iPhone, because, though they worked after the wash, they kindly replaced them...thus far. They're so light! And I just don't check pockets, I don't. I figure, you put it in the wash, you should have already removed anything important, right? But, not always so with his workout clothes.

And then there's the countless rolls of plumbing tape that has gone through my machines...ya know what kind of mess that makes when it's a nearly full roll and it unravels in the wash??? Ugh.

We'll just not talk about the wire connectors and nuts and bolts I get from his. *sigh*

You'd THINK I'd just buck up and check all pockets before washing...15 yrs of him and then 5 boys, ages 13 and under...really? But no, I stand by my premise...if it was in the dirty clothes pile, it's ready to go to the washer. If anything important was in there, well, I won't feel 'too' bad about it.

(though after the 3rd time on those ear phones, I did feel bad...oh and washing a customer's check, that was another bad one LOL)