Hereīs second round of our two part series concerning the questions parents have about raising their sons. If you missed Part 1, click here to view!
"I think that it is time for our two year old son to begin potty training. I feel that my husband, because he is a male, should be handling this stage of our sonīs upbringing. He thinks we should both do it, but I just donīt see how I can be effective because I am female. Whoīs correct?"
Answer: Rule number one in potty training: The more, the merrier! Get the whole family to join in if you can. Older siblings can also be a great help when it comes to this portion of your sonīs education. Just because your child is a boy doesnīt mean
you, as his Mom, canīt help guide him during his bathroom routine. Let Dad (or an older brother) take him in to the bathroom to let him "observe" how itīs done. You can take him in after he understands how itīs done so he can try it on his own. Moms are a great source of support and reassurance when a little guy is trying out the "big boy potty" for the first time!"My four year old son has suddenly become my shadow. He has always been a mommyīs boy in the past, but now more than ever. It seems as if he has even become jealous of any attention I pay to his dad. If my husband and I are having a discussion, my son interrupts us several times to tell me something silly. He pries my husbandīs hand from mine if we are walking together, and he has even thrown tantrums if my husband kisses me. Is this normal, or should we be worried?"
Answer: Four year old boys are a handful, arenīt they? But donīt worry...this too shall pass. Between the ages of three and five, both boys and girls go through a type of "romance" period with one of their parents. Boys become smitten with their mothers, and girls tend to form very close attachments to their fathers. This phase usually fizzles out by the time the child turns five or six years of age - the time when children begin to strongly identify with the same-sex parent.
"I am a stay-at-home Mom and my husband works. Our 14 year old son has no respect for the work I do at home. If I say I am tired at the end of the day, he laughs and says īWhy? You donīt work.ī When I try to explain all that I do in our home while he is at school, he scoffs, telling me that housework isnīt a īreal jobī. I want him to understand all that I do for our family, but I am having a really hard time getting my message across. Any ideas?"
Answer: My question to you is this: Who is sending your son the message that being a stay-at-home Mom isnīt a job? How does your spouse feel about your staying home? Does he make similar comments to you in front of your son? If so, you need to change not only your sonīs opinion
about the importance of what you do, but also your husbandīs. Remind your family that there would be no breakfast/lunch/dinner if you werenīt there to make it for them. Make mention that you are the one who makes sure they have clean clothes to wear for the next day. The next time your son asks you for a ride to the mall, explain that you would not be able to do this for him if you worked outside the home. Being a Mom is a full time job. Anyone who doesnīt agree should spend a day in your shoes!
