For the Mom's of Boys

This is for the mom's of boys.  Those boys pull at our heartstrings, pull at that last straw, and pull out our laughter.  Those boys who have imagination beyond their years, who dream impossible dreams.  Those boys who fight and get dirty, who are loud and fun.  You are raising them, and you are doing something right.  When I see a mom of boys, I want to run up and give her a hug and let her know she's doing a great job, that she's not alone.  

This is to encourage you, Mama.  You, who are raising that boy who believes he's a superhero. 

That boy who believes he can fly, only to realize that gravity is real for him after his lip gets busted.

Jacob after busting his lip.  Tried to fly from one headboard to another.

For the mom of a boy who takes life a little too seriously for his tender age.  Who has perfection written on his heart and mind and strives to achieve that a little too much.  

That boy who is smarter than you are, who believes he will invent the greatest inventions ever. He can sit for hours creating and imagining.  He believes if he can imagine it, he can create it.

You are raising them to believe the impossible is possible.  You allow him to believe he can do anything.  You are doing a fine job, Mama.  So, when those days come when it seems like everyone has forgotten how to behave, or how to speak kindly, remember, on those days, that you are the mom of a boy!  When those days seem to drag on, and feel like they will never end, you are raising the next generation of men.  When you feel like you are just one more mess away from losing your mind, remember that they love you.  They love you despite your imperfections, insecurities and failures.  They will remember how their Mama loved them, and held them.  How she played with them, sang to them, read to them, hugged them, prayed for them and yes, even yelled at them.  They will remember it all.  

So, hold them a little longer for they are only little for a short time.  Let them make their messes and mistakes, and be present when they come running to you for help.  You are teaching them that we learn from our failures and successes equally.  You are teaching them they are loved even when they fail; showing them the same grace that God has shown toward you.  

It's not always easy or "fun" to be a mom of a boy.  Sometimes they believe they are the next generation of wrestlers and like to fight all day long.  Sometimes they are stubborn and strong-willed, and it takes skill to navigate those territories.  It takes trial and error, and sometimes the help of women who have been there.  Sometimes, we just need the help of a mentor, even the mom's who seem to "have it all together".  These are the things I am learning, and I'm learning more each day.  My boys are sweet AND sour.  We have good days AND bad days.  But I believe the sweet outweigh the sour and the good overtake the bad.  

Be encouraged, mom of boys.  You are not alone.  You are doing a great job.  You ARE a superhero in their eyes, and in mine, too.  Today, I honor you and hold you in high esteem as you navigate these waters of motherhood to boys.  I pray that you will be blessed each day of their little lives, and even into their adult years.  I pray that you are given the wisdom, knowledge and understanding needed to raise confident, peaceful and strong young men.  I believe you have the power to do that.  

This was a poem I found from when I was in Kindergarten.  My Sunday School class made them with our handprints for our parents.  I don't know who the author is, but I wanted to close this post out with this poem:

A Little Fellow Follows Me

A careful man I want to be, a little fellow follows me
I do not dare to go astray, for fear he'll go the self-same way
I cannot once escape his eyes, whate'er he sees me do he tries
Like me, he says he's going to be, the little chap who follows me
He thinks that I am good and fine, believes in every word of mine
The base in me, he must not see, that little fellow who follows me
I must remember as I go, through summer's sun and winter's snow
I am building for the years to be, in the little chap who follows me

Old Rhyme

What are little boys made of?

What are little boys made of?

Slugs and snails

And puppy-dogs' tails,

That's what little boys are made of.