Category Archives: Emotional Development

Keeping Boys Safe Online (w Amy Lang)



Do you worry about keeping your boys safe online?  Thanks to the pandemic, we’re all spending more time online. And unlike in years past, porn is now ubiquitous and easily accessible. Boys today don’t even have to go looking for porn; it finds them. A simple, developmentally appropriate search for “sex” or “boobs” can lead … Continue reading Keeping Boys Safe Online (w Amy Lang)


Helping Boys Become Resilient with Dr. Sandy Gluckman



How do you help boys become resilient?  It’s easy enough to say that resiliency is important, and we know that the ability to bounce back in spite of obstacles is essential for success and happiness in life. But how exactly does one build resilience? Contrary to popular belief, you can’t teach a child resilience, says … Continue reading Helping Boys Become Resilient with Dr. Sandy Gluckman


Boys & Anxiety (w Dr. Mary Wilde)



How much do you know about boys & anxiety? According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 7% of American children between ages 3-17 have a diagnosed anxiety disorder. Likely, the actual prevalence of anxiety is significantly higher, because many kids — especially boys — are undiagnosed. What looks like anger, opposition … Continue reading Boys & Anxiety (w Dr. Mary Wilde)


Managing Emotions



Managing emotions — our boys, & our own — is challenging in the best of times. This, most definitely is not the best of times. We’re cooped up in our houses with kids who miss their friends and activities. With boys who no longer have soccer or baseball practice to help them burn off some … Continue reading Managing Emotions


Helping Boys Grow Into Healthy Men (w Ted Bunch)



How can we help our boys grow into healthy men? Ted Bunch, chief development officer of A Call to Men, says he thinks that the key is to support our boys as they become their authentic selves. “I think the biggest challenge for us is really allowing our boys to show us, say to us … Continue reading Helping Boys Grow Into Healthy Men (w Ted Bunch)


How Shame Harms Boys



What do you do if a teacher shames your son in front of the class?  For many parents, this is not an abstract question. Teachers, coaches, bus drivers and yes, even parents still use shame to shape kids’ behavior. Adults yell at children in front of their peers, berate them for a lack of effort, … Continue reading How Shame Harms Boys


Helping Teens Cope with Anxiety, Depression & More



It’s not easy to talk to boys about anxiety, depression and mental health. And yet, in a world in which 1 in 8 kids has an anxiety disorder and 2-3% of children ages 6-12 have serious depression and suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for young people ages 15-24, not talking about these … Continue reading Helping Teens Cope with Anxiety, Depression & More


Parent From Love, Not Fear (w Bryan Post)



The secret to parenting success  — & satisfaction — is simple: Parent from love, not fear.  So says Bryan Post, founder of The Post Institute for Family Centered Therapy. Adopted as a child, Post experienced the difficulties that can arise when a child’s needs conflict with a parent’s experience. His adopted sister was born prematurely … Continue reading Parent From Love, Not Fear (w Bryan Post)


Gender Differences, Bragging & Raising World Citizens



It’s time for another listener Q & A! A Boys Alive! FB group member asks: How can I interest a teen boy in becoming a good world citizen? A Twitter follower asks: What do you say to boys who say they’re the best at…whatever the conversation is about. I’ve heard this from multiple 7/8/9 yo … Continue reading Gender Differences, Bragging & Raising World Citizens


Masks We Wear with Ashanti Branch



Our boys often wear metaphorical masks. We all do, in fact. At work, we typically wear our confident, professional faces. At home, we aim for warm, nurturing and competent. But underneath, we may be feeling anger, frustration, sadness or shame. Our “masks” allow us to go about our days and meet our responsibilities without ruffling … Continue reading Masks We Wear with Ashanti Branch