On raising super heroes

By on August 29, 2010 in adventure, connection with boys, growing godly men

My sons try to rescue me on a daily basis. Sometimes at inconvenient times.

Up to my elbows in soap suds over the sink and they swoop into the kitchen, “Is ‘dere an emergency, mama? You need to be rescued?”

Vacuuming the living room and little bodies leap from sofa to sofa, “Watch us fly mama, look, Look!”

Putting away laundry, and blankets are appropriated and promptly tied around necks, transformed into capes. “We help you, mama! You need help?”

Any chore is automatically transformed into an act of bravery by my two favorite super heroes.

When I watch the eagerness with which they rush to my side; when I see the delight glinting in their eyes; when I sense the commitment in their spirits to rescue the right from the wrong, I see the fingerprints of the only true Hero. I recognize Him underneath their capes, and masks, and spiderweb shooters.

Psalm 146:7-9

7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets prisoners free,

8 the Lord gives sight to the blind,
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,
the Lord loves the righteous.

9 The Lord watches over the alien
and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

This is the DNA built into our boys. And part of the explanation for why they thrive on stories of web slingers, muscle men, and caped avengers. Let’s revel in the stories together with them; spin beautiful heroic tales. Because these can be the ultimate road map for directing our sons back to what true heroism looks like. Right up to the point of being willing to give up all of who we are to save all of someone else.

Do you have a super hero you’d like to tell us about? Let’s relish in their courageous antics together. Come and link up your own super hero story, share a photo of your little wonder, and let’s celebrate the art of raising super heroes!

Just enter the web address of the post you’d like to share, include a photo of your hero, and a link back to this MOB Society Post, and let’s swap the joy of being mothers to our own personal super heroes!

Powered by Linky Tools

Click here to enter your link and view the entire list of entered links…

2 Comments

The treasure buried in a mama’s heart

By on July 30, 2010 in a mother's heart

Buried underneath all that fingernail grime.

Tucked between the layers of sand, dirt, mud, and sweat.

Hidden deep down where he might forget, but you never would.

Stashed in the corners of a conversation dominated by a whole lot of “no.”

Jammed into his gym bag, under sweaty T-shirts and knee pads.

Cluttered into the corner next to the cleats.

Hunched on the sofa in the midnight-should-have-been-home-by-now hour.

Resting in the rhythm of his safe-in-bed breathing. Are these moments

.

And they sustain a mama’s heart.

OK, your turn. What are some of your moments?

16 Comments

Wild Things: What a Boy Needs But Doesn’t Always Want (plus a Giveaway for Moms)

By on June 1, 2010 in connection with boys, physicality of boys

“And Max the king of all wild things was lonely
and wanted to be where someone loved him best of all.”
~Where the Wild Things Are

I have four brothers.

And two sons.

Boys are different.

They love in unique ways that come in shades of super hero and bright, tight wrestling matches. It’s the sheer physicality of raising boys that has taken my breath away.

Nothing is done half way. Everything is exuberant. Taste, Feel, Smell, See, Touch! Boys ride the senses something wild and wonderful, leaving chaos in their wake. Chaos and puddles and piles of dirty laundry.

Wrangling them and raising them into men of integrity – it’s hard, muddy work. And some days it’s counter-intuitive.

[D]on’t exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master. Ephesians 6:4.

My nearly five-year-old is growing into his man-skin these days. He’s all opinions and fierce independence. And he resents being told what to do. He can be hard to instruct. It’s much easier if I can get him inspired; if I can lead him rather than force him. If I can give him a challenge, rather than a lecture.

To take out the trash, clear the table, push the ottoman back into place, strip the bed sheets, balance a stack of books back to the playroom, rescue his brother from the garden hose – you get the idea.

And the more physically demanding the task, the better.

“The more words a teacher or parent uses, the greater the odds that a boy will tune you out. Boys are better suited to symbols, pictures and experiences…Whenever possible make learning into a game or competition.” Wild Things: the Art of Nurturing Boys, pp. 163, 167.

So, instead of instructing, I work to inspire. And instead of pulling back when he spouts angry rejection, I tackle him.

I wrap tight arms and legs around him and challenge him to escape my love. I tickle him till he can’t breathe and I roar and chant and dance my fierce mama lion love for her cub over him. Literally.

Until he can’t help but grin. Until he is sated with acceptance. Until he knows I know he is becoming a man. But that that doesn’t make me any less his mama.

******

When last have you wrestled with your man-cubs? Don’t leave all that fun to their dad. There’s nothing like the power of physical touch to soothe frustrated spirits and encourage a deeper connection.

Whether it be wrapping them tight in bath towel burritos, hanging them upside down till they squeal with glee, or just lying down on the floor elbow-to-elbow with them as they inspect their Tonka trucks.

How do you reach out and connect with your boys to get their hearts to open up to you?

Just leave a comment letting us know and you’ll be entered to win one of THREE copies of my all time, hands down, lives on my nightstand, favorite book on parenting boys – Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys. A big thanks to Tyndale House for making this giveaway possible. The chapter on A Boy and His Mother is just breathtaking.

172 Comments