After 20 years as a therapist observing the challenges, my male clients have experienced in their relationships, it opens up some unique conversations to have with our teenage son.
#1 Your emotions are not signs of weakness
Expressing your feelings leads you toward a healthy connection with others. Vulnerability with people you trust is a strength.
The Mask You Live In explores the narrow definition of masculinity and the harm it causes boys and men.
#2 The truest test of your strength is not your ability to dominate others
Growing your capacity to be kind and to see the bigger picture of the situation is the true strength. Expanding your ability to keep your cool in times of stress will serve you in numerous situations throughout your life.
#3 It’s not funny to make fun of people
There is strength in not joining in when the kid at school is being picked on. Or not cracking a joke at someone else’s expense. It is brave to be yourself even when other people are being sarcastic or using harmful words directed at you.
# 4 The importance of healthy boundaries
Notice when you are agreeing to things to not rock the boat. You get to decide what’s right for you instead of just going along with what your friends think. Take the time you need to make the choices that are right for you. Matching what you feel in your body with what you are expressing in your relationships will keep your connections healthy.
Parenting often brings up all of our own struggles.
If we stumbled through having healthy boundaries, have we unintentionally modeled to our kids that you just go along to not upset Grandma, or Dad, or Uncle Colin ? That we put on the “happy face” and do what we really don’t want to do in order to keep the peace.
Parenting is one of our most challenging roles in life. You don’t have to do it all on your own.