Listener Q & A: Navigating the Complexities of Raising Boys

How do you respond to a 6-year-old boy who thinks he has to “play rough” to prove his masculinity?

How can you make space a small boy’s emotions when you also have other kids to keep on track?

And what do you do, exactly, when your formerly potty-trained son starts having accidents at school?

These are some of the questions Jen & Janet tackle in this Listener Q & A.

Takeaways:

• Boys often face developmental expectations that don’t align with their actual growth.
• Rough play can be a way for boys to express themselves, but it needs guidance.
• School stress and anxiety can manifest in physical symptoms 
• Potty training regressions are common and should be approached with patience.
• Creative approaches can help redirect a child’s focus during emotional outbursts.
• Parents should not feel guilty about using screen time as a tool.
• Seeking support from parenting coaches can provide valuable insights.

Links we mentioned (or should have) in this episode:

The Art of Roughhousing (w Dr. Lawrence Cohen) — ON BOYS episode

Teacher Tom Talks About Boys, Emotion, & Play — ON BOYS episode

Do Schools Create “Problem Boys?” — ON BOYS episode

Myths & Misconceptions About Boys — ON BOYS episode

Building Boys: Raising Great Guys in a World That Misunderstands Males

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