How to Raise a Happy & Successful Boy
Parents aspire to impart the tools needed for their boys to become the happiest, most successful adults they can possibly be. The mission seems daunting when you consider that the journey lasts nearly two decades; in that time, there is a lot of opportunity to miss the mark. Fortunately this endeavor is the sum of all its parts; the various lessons you teach your boy as he grows impact what kind of man he will become.
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Instructions
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Spend time with him. Give your child the one-on-one attention that he craves. Turn off the television and have a heart-to-heart talk with him about the things he finds important; this teaches him a sense of his own value and creates a foundation for self-respect.
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Set the example. Young children are highly observant. From infancy, your son looks to you to determine how to respond to the world around him. If he sees your positive habits, he will mimic them. He will also notice the discrepancy between your actions and words, so be careful not to fall into the trap of "Do as I say, not as I do."
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Show affection to your son. Teaching a child to be open to physical displays of affection, like hugs and kisses, encourages him to appreciate, rather than fear, intimacy. This will help him connect with others and form healthy relationships, especially once he becomes a man.
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Teach him how to respect others. This goes beyond simple etiquette, such as saying "sir" or "ma'am," "please" or "thank you." Demonstrate empathy and teach him the importance of helping others without regard for his own gain. Allow him to see from an early age that his actions, however small, can make a difference.
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Set boundaries from an early age. Children need structure; they feel most secure when they understand exactly what is expected of them, and that consistent consequences follow should they deviate from those expectations.
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Acknowledge his accomplishments with positive reinforcement. Accomplishments build his self-esteem, but ensure any praise given is sincere and appropriate. Every attempt will not be a gold-star effort. Find the things in which he excels and encourage him to pursue success.
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Allow him to feel all emotions, even the negative ones. You may want to shield your child from the negative experiences in this world, but some disappointment is perfectly natural and even constructive. Through those failures and disappointments, he will learn resilience.
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Motivate him to strive for improvement with each attempt at a task. Life is the evolution of self, so impart the desire to always tackle the next challenge rather than resting on past accomplishments. Model this attitude by pursuing that sort of excellence in your own life.
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Tips & Warnings
Encourage healthy activities that build a strong foundation for his emotional and physical livelihood. Establish healthy eating habits and a regular exercise regimen for him to build the stamina required to take on the world.
References
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