How to raise your boys to not be metrosexual pussies. Yep, that's the challenge in today's world. Of course, I'm preaching to the choir here. I don't think there's a metrosexual among you hairy-legged misfits, and I'm pleased as punch over that. And I know with everything in my being that you would rather have your hairy legs waxed than to raise metrosexual sons. But just in case you know someone who needs to be reminded, these three treatises on raising men rock. Go read and enjoy.
http://clashdaily.com/2014/01/raising-boys-arent-metrosexual-pussies-3-teach-son-make-life-better-worse-duh/
I am currently struggling trying to reverse my wife's 15 year old boy's metrosexual tendencies.
ReplyDeleteHe didn't have a man in his life for 13 years and his mom raised him.
If I had more than eleven hairs left on my head I would pull them out by the roots.
The kid is absolutely worthless and even worse, mouthy.
All he is interested in is video games.
It takes a supreme amount of self control not to back hand the little fucker sometimes.
Instead I try to exert some positive influence by example.
Doing guy things only causes passing interest but I can actually see a positive change in his outlook.
Unfortunately I got to him pretty late but I am going to keep trying.
I do see that girls have caught his attention somewhat and thank God for that at least.
Aw, Phil, best of luck to you. I'll be the first to say there are NO video games in this house. NONE, not even a hand-held. What's on the computer is educational, and designed to help the autistic mind develop neural pathways that are missing. Maybe you make the games available ONLY as a reward. I don't know how that will work, considering the die has been cast, but it's a start.
ReplyDeleteLOL, when you mentioned a hairy legged misfit I figured you meant me in the winter! ;) Then I clued in.
ReplyDeleteWe're working on not making sissy boys. It's tough though, when they are hardwired in the nerd realm. Especially the eldest. I swear he dreams and thinks in ones and zeros. Great imagination, but no idea how to execute it. Drawing a building schematic though, he's your guy. Mapping out a place, he's got that covered. It's taken a while, but he's starting to get it when we talk about playing and roughhousing and that kind of boy stuff.
We found that he has an incredible love of cowboys and the military so we are encouraging it. My only stipulation is Sunday is a battle free day. A mom can only handle so much spit flying, bombs being thrown through the house and explosion sounds. Good sounds, but heaven forbid, it starts before 6AM and goes until they fall asleep.
Boy 2 is following the love of cowboys and military. Even though he's three, he loves to roughhouse and wrestle and there is a reason my furniture looks 'well loved' in the room they play in. He's my child who takes flying leaps off the stairs and belly flops on the floor then walks off without any comment or crying. Or riding his tricycle down the stairs.
We do have a Wii, but it's in the garage because we never play it, maybe twice a year. Life is a lot better with it not being played and not being out to be a reminder of the wants of little people. Bought a BB gun for the kidlets to start learning gun safety with. The eldest guts his own fish with his pocketknife, the younger two run screaming when it's time to clean fish but will eat them.
We're actually in the process of figuring out how to move into a more outdoors friendly area. I want the kidlets to be outside all the time, getting to explore and do the things kids should do!
-CM
CM, have you looked into geocaching? For a numbers-friendly, cowboy/military oriented kiddo, that pasttime seems to be custom-made. All of the coordinates are in latitude/longitude, which seems to me that someone who likes numbers should be able to figure out a rough location before plugging the numbers into their Garmin (or app). The military navigates by a similar set of map references, so there's a tie-in, and they are required to know basic map-n-compass skills (cuz evil electronics have a nasty habit of breaking down exactly when you need them most).
ReplyDeleteOur daughter loves being outdoors. She's shot a handgun before, and we have a small BB gun that she's in the process of growing in to (her arms are still a tad short for a good grip and cheek-weld), but she enjoys shooting it. She watches her Barbie cartoons in the evenings, and has various animated movies she enjoys (currently she's in the living room with "Hotel Transylvania" playing...awesome! She's gonna be a fantasy-genre gal!). We try to get out and about whenever possible, health concerns permitting.
Oh, and I'm going to read that article now, so I can say I actually DID read a link. LOL
In the infamous words of my Pop, "You were raised different boy! You were raised to be a MAN!"
ReplyDeleteI thank him every day for those ass whippings that didn't make me a killer or woman beater.
One time when I was coming down on my boys for being idiots (they were teens at the time) and one asked why I was so mean, I told him I was raising them to be MEN! I'm rather proud of how they turned out :) My 2 and the spare I took in are all now in their 30s and make more money than I will ever dream of making. 2 have good wives. I'm still praying for the 3rd one...
ReplyDeleteYep, I was the MEAN mom.
AbbyS
RabidAlien- I hadn't even thought of geocaching. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll be looking into it and what is needed to do it. He makes maps right now and takes his Mini Me on treasure hunts.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is similar. She is really a creature of nature. I've sometimes had issues keeping clothes on her, let alone keeping her decently clean when the weather is inclement. She's been out in the yard and in just her jammies and jelly shoes with the temps well below freezing. She's also not afraid of snakes, slugs, toads or anything. I love it! :D Your daughter sounds fabulous, she could tea party with mine any day. We love fantasy and dress up and all that fun stuff!
-CM