It’s no secret that kids can be rambunctious—especially boys. They tend to be more energetic, physically active, and aggressive than girls. Although not every little boy exhibits the same boisterous behavior, raising them can be a handful.
If you’re at your wits’ end but still want to raise your little boy the right way, here six tips to help you parent exuberant boys while keeping your sanity.
Foster their Imagination
When you foster your child’s imagination, you’re introducing a world to them where magic can happen and dreams created. It helps them explore the endless possibilities for anything they can think of, boost self-confidence, develop their social and problem-solving skills. Doing this enables you to expand their creativity and give them a fun activity that can keep them preoccupied for hours, allowing you to do more around the house.
You can make the experience more immersive by giving them outfits like Spyder snow pants and jackets to reenact fun snowy days at home or props like a guitar for concerts in the living room.
Show Good Behavior
Even if you’re getting stressed about their ‘feisty’ behaviors, you need to stay calm and exhibit good behavior. That’s because when you respond to your son’s aggression with the same approach, it can likely lead to them becoming more aggressive over time. So, instead of spanking or scolding them, exhibit polite behavior and praise them when they’re well-mannered.
Keep Aggression At Bay Early On
Although your son may have their ‘episodes’ or throw a tantrum when playing with siblings or friends when they exhibit severe frustration or aggressive behavior such as excessively shouting or hurting other kids, seize the opportunity to introduce them to empathy. Explain to them that other people have feelings, and which, in turn, can help them learn that hurting others isn’t right and should be avoided at all times. Additionally, this can help them become more ‘in tune’ with other kids.
Emphasize Sensitivity and Kindness
If you want to develop your son’s sensitive side, take the time to explain the importance of kindness by telling them to share toys with their siblings or friends and being gentle with pets. You can also encourage this behavior to them by reading them stories about historical men advocating peace and equality, such as Martin Luther King Jr. fighting for justice.
Always Be A Step Ahead
A secret of every well-mannered kid is a ‘prepared’ parent. Always being a step ahead of them allows you to address all your son’s needs and cut a bit of chaos throughout the day. For instance, if you know your toddler doesn’t like sudden changes in their schedules, don’t inform them until you’re all in the car. Doing these small changes can help you raise your child better while staying ‘sane.’
Embrace Them As They Are
Although it’s hard to accept, your son is bound to have flaws, such as getting angry over the littlest things or talking back. You can expect him to be irrational, as he’s still a kid. Although you can help your son become a better person, and reach his full potential, expect him not to be perfect. Accepting your child for who he is can help you establish a stronger bond and save him and yourself from the stress of molding them into a person that isn’t them.
Most little boys can be loud, active, and rowdy, making them more than a handful to handle for most people—especially for first-time parents. Fortunately, the tips mentioned can help prevent you from going crazy while managing to raise your boys properly.
