Category Archives: Health

Boys and Body Image



Almost 1/3 of boys are trying to gain weight or bulk up.  For years, body image concerns were thought to be a female issue. But superhero costumes for toddler boys  now come equipped with built-in muscles, and popular teen shows such as Outer Banks cast 20-something actors with chiseled faces and abs as 16-year-olds, creating … Continue reading Boys and Body Image


Decoding Boys with Dr. Cara Natterson



Wouldn’t it be great if boys came with a magic decoder ring to help you decode their mysteries and moods?  Dr. Cara Natterson’s book, Decoding Boys: New Science Behind the Subtle Art of Raising Sons, is the next best thing. If you have boys, you’ll want to add this one to your bookshelf (or check … Continue reading Decoding Boys with Dr. Cara Natterson


Coping With Coronavirus



How are you coping with coronavirus?  Our lives have undergone some pretty massive disruptions over the past few weeks, and it looks like more changes may be on the horizon. We’ll all learning new ways of connecting and communicating — and we’re all a bit scared and overwhelmed. That’s why we recorded & released this … Continue reading Coping With Coronavirus


Vaping & E-Cigarette Use: What Parents Need to Know



Nearly 1 in 3 high school seniors tried vaping in the last year.  Middle schoolers are vaping too. According to the Centers for Disease Control, e-cigarette use among middle school students increased by 48% between 2017 and 2018. Now, nearly 5% of middle school students in the United States vape on a regular basis. Kids … Continue reading Vaping & E-Cigarette Use: What Parents Need to Know


146 What You Need to Know about Boys & Suicide (w Katey McPherson)



Young men are 4X more likely to die of suicide than young women The suicide rate for boys ages 15 to 19 grew by 30 percent from 2007 to 2015 Suicide is now the second leading cause of death for ages 10-24 No one wants to think or talk about suicide, but as people who … Continue reading 146 What You Need to Know about Boys & Suicide (w Katey McPherson)


125: Anxiety & Depression in Boys



  1 in 2 children will develop a mood or behavioral disorder or substance addiction by age 18.  We parents like to think that if we “do everything right,” our kids will be mentally and physically healthy with nary a care in the world. But that’s not the case. The truth is that mental health … Continue reading 125: Anxiety & Depression in Boys


120: Hygiene Help for Tween & Teen Boys



Have a boy who hates to shower? You are not alone! When a mom recently asked the Building Boys Facebook group, “Anyone else have a teenage boy who hates to shower?” she was quickly inundated with support and sympathy. Personal hygiene, it seems, is not a priority for most tween and teen boys. Lots of … Continue reading 120: Hygiene Help for Tween & Teen Boys


112: Potty Talk, Vaping & School (Listener Q&A, Part 1)



When we put out a call for listener questions, you sent us some doozies! In this, our first-ever Listener Q & A (Part 1), we tackle three of your questions: “I just finished listening to the podcast episode with Amy Lang. I know she says we should begin talking to boys about bodies at 5 … Continue reading 112: Potty Talk, Vaping & School (Listener Q&A, Part 1)


110: Talk to Boys about Sex with Amy Lang



Amy Lang is a sex educator — and the mom of a teenage boy who is utterly mortified by his mom’s career. If anyone understands just how awkward talking about sex with your son can be — and how important it is to push through despite your the discomfort — it’s Amy.   Amy is … Continue reading 110: Talk to Boys about Sex with Amy Lang