It is a hard time to be raising boys, I think we can all agree.
In the era of social media and the terrifying rise of the online ‘manosphere’ and toxic influencers and an ever-growing male loneliness epidemic, I think now more than ever parents of boys need to do what we can to lay the groundwork right.
I am raising an 11-year-old boy myself, who in not long will be a teenager, and to be honest, the thought terrifies me, more so with him than what I felt ahead of my now 16-year-old daughter heading into her teen years.
And so I try to make sure I have conversations with him that I think all parents of school-aged and tween boys should be having with their sons. We talk about the state of the world, and about friendships, and respect and girls and consent and boundaries and about mental health. All the big talks.
Often I find that these conversations are easier to get into after having watched something on TV together or having read a book that deals with one of more of these issues in particular.
And so if you are in the same boat, raising a boy or several boys, this might resonate with you too – sometimes we all need a little help to find the words, or start the conversations, and I love the list of books this mum just shared – books I think all parents of boys should have at home and read with their children when they are still young.
Taking to Instagram, mum Abby Eckel, who is herself raising boys, shared a curated list over the books she recommends all parents pick up and read with their sons – it might just be one of the best investment in his future you can do.
Captioning her post, Eckel writes:
‘Now more than ever our boys need to be taught first, at home, what it means to have and show empathy, think critically, question beliefs on the rigid ideas of ‘masculinity,’ understand their feelings and safe ways to process them, and to appreciate the girls and women in their life and understand their privilege as boys.’
Books to read with boys
Here are some of the books Eckel recommends:
1. Killer Underwear Invasion
Great for learning how to spot fake news, learn critical thinking and understand media a bit better.
2. She Persisted
Stories of women who changed the world.
3. The Boy With Big, Big Feelings
Dealing with big feelings, why they are not bad, how to process and feel them without being afraid of what others think.
4. Empathy Is Your Super Power
Understanding the feelings of others through different scenarios to work through.
5. We’re All Wonders
Teaching kids to accept, embrace, and be kind to others who don’t look like you.
6. Let’s Talk About Body Boundaries, Consent and Respect
Teaches kids body ownership, feelings and emotions, choices and to spot bullying behaviours.
7. What If Everybody Thought That?
Explores preconceived notions we have about the world and encourages kids to be more thoughtful.
8. A Boy Like You
Encourages every boy to embrace all the things that make him unique, to follow his dreams, be brave, ask for help, tell his own story and listen to the stories of others.
9. Who Has What?
Proper body part recognition and naming, body acceptance and body positivity.
10. Pink Is For Boys
An empowering message about breaking stereotypes as simple as ‘pink is for girls’ and other messages we send boys at the earliest ages.
