Blog
Saving Our Sons – Pre-Order News!
Those of you who follow me know I have worked hard to get to this day! Today my book, Saving Our Sons – A Parents Guide to Preparing Boys for Success is available on Amazon.com for pre-orders. It’s an exciting day at our house! (more…)
Problem Based Learning
Under normal circumstances problem based learning, or PBL as it’s referred to, is “an approach that challenges children to learn through engagement in a real problem at home or school.”
How It Works
It’s a great process the schools are using to actually test the problem solving skills of students in various scenarios. Remember the word problems when you were a kid? Personally those were my least favorite math problem because they really made me think to find a solution! (more…)
The Quest Project Graduation
One of my favorite times is The Quest Project® graduation! It’s a special night for me when I get to honor the work of the young men that have completed The Quest Project® 10 week program.
Speak To Us!
Over the years I have had many guest speakers attend to offer a story, a life experience and piece of encouragement to these young men. One of my favorite guest speakers is a retired professor and friend that tells the following story. I hope you find the same inspiration from this story that I do! (more…)
Birds of a Feather
You’ve heard that old cliché a million times. “Birds of a feather flock together!” I’m not certain I believe it 100% but I do believe that “who we associate ourselves with” can impact our behavior. That applies to adults as well as children; the only difference is as an adult we make our own choices, as parents we are responsible to “oversee” who our kids associate with! (more…)
Play Ball!
Baseball season is heating up! Yes I’m an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, GO CARDS! I’m a hockey fan too, I know one of these years the Blues are going to win the Stanley Cup, GO BLUES! This inspired me to write about sports and how adolescent boys can get not only mentoring from a coach, but a “release” of stored/pent-up energy with their peers.
Keep Your Son Busy
Boys are inherently different than girls, they are mostly active, curious and competitive. One of the best ways to get your young son engaged is by “nudging” him to “do” something. Sports provides a sense of accomplishment and fun. (more…)
Happy Father’s Day
Being a father is a special honor; Happy Father’s Day to all Dad’s!
Dad’s Are a Gift
What a special opportunity a dad has in the life of his son. As I was completing some of my research recently on this very subject, I was reminded of the important role dad plays in the healthy development of their sons.
Let me explain:
I contemplated how many fathers realize that a boy will enter a stage of development known as “Identity-vs-Confusion” which starts at approximately 11 years of age (that can vary). In addition there is this “Zone of Proximal Development(ZPD),” and basically without going into a deep academic dive, it is where he needs dad (or a healthy male mentor) to mentor him through these most critical developmental stages. (more…)
Hip Hip Hooray!
Graduation is a major milestone for your son. Congratulations! Now what?
Welcome To Adulthood – After Graduation
This is a very exciting time for most families. I congratulate you if you are honoring a grad in your home. It’s a time to honor the achievement and begin to plan the next steps if you haven’t already done so. If your son plans to attend college you have most likely been working towards this day for awhile. If he isn’t a candidate for college have you talked about his options? (more…)
It CAN Happen To You
I read a very disturbing story recently, about teens addicted to and dying from heroin. Here’s what made it even more disturbing: It is happening right in my own backyard. The community in which I live is becoming overwhelmed with heroin addiction. It is pervasive, from schools to homes to the streets and parks.
You can be assured, if it’s happening this close to me, it’s happening close to you. Even in your own backyard. The numbers are staggering. I’m sure you’ve seen some of them. But they don’t show the complete picture. (more…)
Mad, Sad, Glad and Afraid
These are my BIG FOUR! Regardless if you’re young, old, male or female these basic four emotions – mad, sad, glad, and afraid – are appropriate for you. Processing your feelings is healthy and I highly recommend that. Here’s why.
Feeling Angry
Feeling angry or “mad?” Oh no! This is the feeling that scares everyone. I’m always amazed at the number of people that think being mad and/or angry is always a negative. I can tell you that if you don’t allow yourself or your child to feel this feeling it can lead to depression. It’s how you handle or behave while being angry that is key and crucial. (more…)
The Best Mom
I shared a story not long ago titled The Best Dad; it was based on one of the eight case studies in my soon to be released book “Saving Our Sons” A Parent’s Guide to Preparing Boys for Success. It’s appropriate to share another one of those case studies today about a Mom that never gave up on her son and became The Best Mom. (more…)
