Boys need to see a man handle emotion well, or they conclude that men simply do not have any. Let your son see you disappointed, tired or wrong, and see you handle it without cruelty or collapse.
Part 01
The lesson
As he grows, shift from instruction to conversation. Shoulder-to-shoulder activity — driving, working, walking — usually produces more honesty than sitting face to face.
Reflection
Questions to sit with
- 01What will your children say about you when they are forty?
- 02When did your child last see you admit you were wrong?
- 03Is your family managing your moods?
Put it into practice
Action points
- 01Spend 30 uninterrupted minutes with your child today — no phone, their choice of activity.
- 02Ask your child what they think makes a good father. Listen without correcting the answer.