The following is an excerpt from Boys Should Be Boys by Meg Meeker that I found interesting. Thanks to Patty for suggesting this book a few weeks ago in my com-box! I'm finding it beneficial.
And one lesson we should all learn is that while mothers want more for their sons, the truth is that sons need less. Boys need fewer toys and fewer clothes. They need more time with their mothers and fathers, less time in structured events, and more time being bored-yes, bored- so that they can use their imagination and creativity and figure out what to do. Young men need less face-to-screen with electronic life and more time face-to-face with people. Less television, video games, clothes, telephone bills, sports events, and preschool hours mean less stress for mothers and more time for boys to figure out who they are and what they want out of life.
As I've been spending more time these days just watching my boy I'm hearing him say 'I'm bored' but I'm seeing him become so creative. Building, following picture directions, imagining and creating beyond what he ever allowed himself to do in the past. It's a lot of fun being a fly on the wall in his little boyhood space and watching the gears turn.
Legos are the greatest boredom buster ever invented!
ReplyDeleteI like this excerpt, except, at least in my home, my boys LOVE to play any sport (a structured event). Hmmmm...
So glad you got the book. She wrote a wonderful ones for Dad/daughters. (Note: not to be left lying around.)
ReplyDeleteAllowing their imaginations to soar to great heights is an awesome experience for mothers.
This morning, while babysitting Maria and Emma...I took them outdoors for a walk/swing/sandbox, when we came inside, Maria decided to play downstairs...she literally moved a extra paper towel holder and bucket around the basement in different spots for about 20 minutes. This weekend in Duluth Olivia and Maria played with the coolers on the deck for at least an hour...just moving them around. Who needs toys!!!!
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