How to Effectively Boost Your Son’s Back-to-School Confidence

Last updated on: November 17, 2017 at 7:40 pm by Shaunti Feldhahn

How to Effectively Boost Your Son’s Back-to-School Confidence 2017-11-17T19:40:56+00:00 Shaunti Feldhahn

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I just dropped off my 14-year-old son for the start of new year, at a brand-new new school. I had a lump in my throat, knowing how nervous he was about this new season.

Every year brings a new set of challenges for our kids, even at old schools. But today, that is especially true for boys. We saw in our For Parents Only research with teens and pre-teens, that in today’s culture – even in the most well-intentioned school environments – our boys often internalize one overwhelming, toxic message: You aren’t good enough. You’re dumb. You don’t measure up.

Tweet this: “In today’s culture, our boys often internalize one overwhelming, toxic message: You aren’t good enough. You’re dumb.“

That is a nasty feeling for anyone, of course, but for a guy it is particularly excruciating, since statistically, that is the hidden doubt most guys have about themselves anyway! And to get anywhere in life, a guy needs to feel that he does measure up. If he doesn’t, the young male heart all too often shuts down to school, preferring to find his worth in sports, girls, friends, risky activities, or other outlets. All too often, boys check out.

This is one reason why college enrollment today is 57% young women, and only 42% young men. All the studies show boys and girls have the same cognitive ability – and there are even some areas where the male brain particularly excels, like math! – yet many of our boys are down on themselves.

Parents, our teachers are working so hard, often in difficult conditions, to help our kids learn and succeed in school – but we have the main role in sending our son into school believing that he CAN succeed in the first place! It starts with us emphasizing three truths to our son over and over.

Tweet this: “We have the main role in sending our sons into school believing that he CAN succeed in the first place!“

So start saying these truths today, and say them often!

Previous Post

August 1, 2017

What You Need to Survive the Flight from Hell (Featuring a Screaming Baby)

Next Post

August 14, 2017 How to Surprise Your Wife In Ways That Will Delight Her

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category dissent Editor's Choice gifts humor kindness marriage men other parenting sex singleness teenagers Uncategorized women work

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 April 2017 March 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who was the first Christian martyr?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Peter Stephen Paul James