When you’re raising five boys it’s not weird that every teacher calls you by your first name and school functions are more like a family affair because they’ve known you for so many years. This year Robert happened to get a teacher that we all know and love named Mrs. Higdon. She’s taught all of my boys and she knows me and my entire family. Last week at the Back to School Open House I found her talking with another favorite teacher of mine about how she ended up with another one of my boy’s and how much they enjoyed teaching his older brothers. When I approached them they asked me when I was going to write a “How to Raise a Bunch of Boys Book! It’s a inside joke among them because they’re shocked at how well-mannered, behaved and genunuely sweet they all are. I do have “my way” of raising them but I dont think it’s anything special but I’ll take the compliment either way! I’ve never thought of writing about this sort of thing until I started Stylish Cravings and have readers send emails wondering how I mange two websites and raising five boys.
For those of you that wonder how I do it I decided create a series with some tips on raising boys, balancing work, kids and a household of seven. I’m not expert in any way but I have learned a few tricks through out the years. 🙂 Hope they help and by all means feel free to add your words of wisdom because I’m always on the lookout for new tips that I can learn as well.
1. Respect your kids. It’s just like the saying goes – respect is earned – so what better way to teach your kids about respect than by respecting them.
2. It’s not my house my rules – it’s our house and there are rules that even I have to follow. I firmly believe this approach is the reason my teens don’t walk around saying “I can’t wait to move out!” They genuinely like being home and their friends prefer to hang here as well.
3. I don’t believe in forcing my beliefs on my kids. Clearly there’s nothing wrong with having the same beliefs as your family but what I don’t agree with is children inheriting a belief, and their family is the only reasoning behind it. I want my boys to remain open minded and non-judgmental and to be able to experience things and then develop their own beliefs.
4. There’s no such thing as adult parties or adult conversations. The boys are always involved and because of that theyre just as comfortable talking to adults and kids.
5. Joseph is learning his first words and they’re your typical “mama and dada.” But I’m constantly using the words please and thank you. If Joseph burps I use my ridiculous baby voice and say “excuse me mommy.” And if I hand him a toy I say ” thank you mommy.” Words like please, thank you, and sorry go a long way in my house.
Nothing really extraordinary – I just treat my kids like what they are – mini adults with their own mind – and I’m just here to help guide them. 🙂 Till next time!
image via pinterest
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