My Beach Boy

Adolescence. Hmm.

How about this, taken from the book, Masterminds & Wingmen by Rosalind Wisemen...
'Boys should want to act heroically at certain points in their lives. Being independent and self-reliant, getting up after having been knocked down - these are absolutely critical skills. But because these characters never show sadness, fear, anxiety, or obvious enthusiasm and love, they constantly teach and reinforce that boys should limit their emotions, and they even tell boys which ones they're allowed to have. They don't show how a man should speak out in a morally complex situation when his loyalties are torn between friends and ethics.'

Wisemen is talking here about superheroes (characters) and how their toy action figure counter parts are muscular, tough and expressionless and how they are much the same in the movies. She goes on to explain that it isn't just our portrayals of superheroes but that most adults in the lives of boys also nurture and reinforce these limitations on their emotional ranges as well.

Yikes. Oh heaven, help!

So much to think about during this stage of parenting. I feel like there is so much to learn in so little time!

Some days there are just prayers that their resiliency takes over to compensate for any and all mistakes I am making as a parent. Trusting you for help here, Lord.

I love this beach boy.

Huntington Beach 1/2/14