^^^Smelling the flowers and melting my heart.^^^
^^^Flying like an airplane^^^
"And she loved a little boy very much--even more than she loved herself." -Shel Silverstein
When we found out we were pregnant, I knew I wanted it to be a boy. And when we got the news that it was a boy, I was over the moon. I was excited to dress him like an old man, excited to build things with him, to see my husband raise a little man and see their relationship grow and thrive, and I was ready to take on the task of growing him into a godly man. It's been two years and our house has never been noisier, more chaotic, and so full of love. And so, some observations on raising a boy.
1. Boys love to move! Let them. I saw this firsthand with my husband and Liam is no different. Boys need to roughhouse and wrestle and the home needs to be a safe place for that. I notice that Liam's behavior improves if he's had a day full of activity. Boys are hardwired for activity and it's my job to encourage it. Liam's favorite thing right now is to get on the floor with me and play "airplane" and "motorcycle." Though it's exhausting for me, it's worth it to hear his little giggle as he's flying above me. *Just watch out for drool.*
2. Help him manage his emotions! Boys often grow up learning to stifle their feelings. It is important to me that Liam expresses his emotions, that he talks about them, and gets things off his chest. I long for him to be heard. He has so much to say, he has opinions that matter and I want for him to grow up knowing that emotions aren't weak and that communication essential. Also, hugging solves a multitude of our communication struggles.
3. Raise him in the Christ's image. I've heard it said that manhood and Christlikeness are synonymous and I think it's brilliant. We have the perfect model of Jesus Christ as man. It's God in human flesh, a man who loved God with all his heart and came to serve. I pray that Liam seeks to live in the image of God, protects, speaks truths, and provides in every way--financially, emotionally, and spiritually. This will forever be my mission as a mother.
4. Boys need responsibility! Following directions and finishing tasks often develops slower in boys than girls but practice helps. He loves to help in the kitchen (when I actually decide to cook) whether it's stirring the pancake batter or getting the yogurt out of the refrigerator. He feels included and self-sufficient.
5. Boys adore their moms. I see it in my brother and how much he loves my mom and I am witness to how much Liam adores me. Though he's only two, there's a soft spot for me that no other human on this planet can fill. Of course, I selfishly love that and I hope that never changes. Yesterday, I stroked his hair during dinner, one of the silent ways I show him how much I love him, and while I was mid-sentence talking to husband, Liam's little hand pats my head and he shoots me a smile. Though I quietly wished his hand wasn't sticky from apple sauce.
When we found out we were pregnant, I knew I wanted it to be a boy. And when we got the news that it was a boy, I was over the moon. I was excited to dress him like an old man, excited to build things with him, to see my husband raise a little man and see their relationship grow and thrive, and I was ready to take on the task of growing him into a godly man. It's been two years and our house has never been noisier, more chaotic, and so full of love. And so, some observations on raising a boy.
1. Boys love to move! Let them. I saw this firsthand with my husband and Liam is no different. Boys need to roughhouse and wrestle and the home needs to be a safe place for that. I notice that Liam's behavior improves if he's had a day full of activity. Boys are hardwired for activity and it's my job to encourage it. Liam's favorite thing right now is to get on the floor with me and play "airplane" and "motorcycle." Though it's exhausting for me, it's worth it to hear his little giggle as he's flying above me. *Just watch out for drool.*
2. Help him manage his emotions! Boys often grow up learning to stifle their feelings. It is important to me that Liam expresses his emotions, that he talks about them, and gets things off his chest. I long for him to be heard. He has so much to say, he has opinions that matter and I want for him to grow up knowing that emotions aren't weak and that communication essential. Also, hugging solves a multitude of our communication struggles.
3. Raise him in the Christ's image. I've heard it said that manhood and Christlikeness are synonymous and I think it's brilliant. We have the perfect model of Jesus Christ as man. It's God in human flesh, a man who loved God with all his heart and came to serve. I pray that Liam seeks to live in the image of God, protects, speaks truths, and provides in every way--financially, emotionally, and spiritually. This will forever be my mission as a mother.
4. Boys need responsibility! Following directions and finishing tasks often develops slower in boys than girls but practice helps. He loves to help in the kitchen (when I actually decide to cook) whether it's stirring the pancake batter or getting the yogurt out of the refrigerator. He feels included and self-sufficient.
5. Boys adore their moms. I see it in my brother and how much he loves my mom and I am witness to how much Liam adores me. Though he's only two, there's a soft spot for me that no other human on this planet can fill. Of course, I selfishly love that and I hope that never changes. Yesterday, I stroked his hair during dinner, one of the silent ways I show him how much I love him, and while I was mid-sentence talking to husband, Liam's little hand pats my head and he shoots me a smile. Though I quietly wished his hand wasn't sticky from apple sauce.