Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him.
Psalm 127:3
We have three incredible boys ages 14,10, and 9. We are at a point of gradual transition in the dynamics of our home. Our boys are not so little anymore and do not need Mommy's constant attention. They are watching their dad more and wanting to spend more time with him. They still adore me, but they are changing and clinging to the leadership that their dad is providing in our home. It is natural that the moments of them letting me pull them close are getting fewer and farther between, which is why I am so blessed and excited that they have such an amazing father to look up too.
As I have observed our sons growing and changing, I began to contemplate if the need for showing
them respect is as important as it is for the need to show respect to their father. I questioned the idea, how important is the dynamics between mother and child, (son in particular) in regards to who the son becomes as an adult?
In preparation for this blog, I set out on a mission to find the answer and began interviewing several men. Some of the men have great relationships with their mothers, while others do not. Even though the men I interviewed come from very different backgrounds, many of their answers were strikingly similar. They all believed that their mother's influence had a direct impact into who they are today, good, bad or otherwise. Regardless of their relationship, the
one thing that they
all remember as the best thing their mothers ever told them was,
"I'm proud of you!". Now, granted some of these men never heard this until they were adults, but it is still what they remember.
None of them said, "The best thing was when she said she loved me". Is this not interesting!? As I mentioned a few weeks ago, God has wired women to need
love. But God has wired men to need
respect,
even by their mothers.
As I dropped my oldest son off for school this morning, I asked him the same question I had asked the other men, "What is the best thing I have ever said to you?" He thought for a moment and said, "When you tell me I am special". I tell him I love him at least ten times a day, but he finds significance in the fact that I value him. He is a male, and age is not a factor.
It is our responsibility to set the stage and create environments in our home for respect. It is important not only to respect our husbands, but also our sons. The reason for this is two-fold. It shows them how to be respectful and respected. Our boys will see by our example what is the proper way men need to be treated. They will not get this from the world.
They are the audience of disrespectful or respectful conversations, and they are taking notes. When they begin to form in their minds the idea of a proper relationship, I pray they will see what God intended and be drawn to a respectful female. Showing our sons respect is not about their obedience, it is about valuing them.
It is undeniable that there is nothing like a mother's love. At the same time, our sons are men-in-the-making, and they need respect to become masculine. Receiving respect is energizing to males from their earliest interactions. It motivates them to respond.
Let's add this to our challenge this month and test out the responses to our sons when we show them respect. Below I've listed just a few ideas on ways to show respect to your sons from all ages.
Since this blog is about our sons, I thought it would be fun to see what the 'word on the street' is over at Sesame Street.
Ideas to show respect to your sons:
1. Let him teach you something, and then thank him.
2. Tell him you respect him.
3. Listen to his ideas, and let him know you will really consider them.
4. Tell him you respect his opinion.
5. Respect his privacy.
6.Don't criticize him, especially in public.
7. Apologize to him when you mess up.
8.Be there, but don't be pushy.
9.Congratulate him when he excels.
10. Praise his good actions, be it picking up his room without being told, helping with a younger sibling, or holding the door for someone.
11. Tell him you're glad he's your son.
12. Tell him he's special.
13.Tell him what an important part of the family he is and why.
14. Tell him he will make a good husband and father someday.
15. Communicate, don't command.
16. Give him your full attention.
17. Make eye contact.
18. Tell him you believe in him.
19. Tell him you're proud of him.
20. Date him!