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19th December 2014
03:43pm GMT

“Parents can support the emotional lives of their sons without making them soft or unable to handle life’s challenges” says Wiseman. “Giving them the skills to be socially competent when they’re in conflict or upset with someone is the way for them to become truly secure men. The boys want and need this support.”Here are 3 messages to introduce to your son this week: 1. It’s good to have dreams While girls tend to be encouraged to picture a future where they are a mum or a princess or an astronaut and incorporate these dreams in make-believe play, boys tend to keep these thoughts to themselves for fear they will be made fun of. Make dreams and aspirations a regular part of the conversation, the bigger the better. 2. All feelings deserve to be expressed Boys often internalise their feelings more than girls, which can lead to frustration and angry outbursts later on. Take your foot off the gas when probing your son for information on events or issues and hold your tongue if your impulse is to offer advice or a lecture. He may already know what to do and might simply need a sounding board. 3. Everybody has weak moments Rosalind Wiseman believes the biggest challenge is the relentless pressure to meet the expectations to be a man - to take care of anything that comes one’s way without breaking. Encourage a more accepting atmosphere at home and ensure that any important male role models in your son’s life are on the same page. We think you should get your hands on this … Ringleaders & Sidekicks by Rosalind Wiseman, €21.50, Easons
What do you think mamas? Is raising a boy harder than raising a girl? Do you notice the differences? We would love to hear from you! Tweet us @HerFamilydotie