I am currently reading Bringing up Boys by Dr. James Dobson. This book has so much information on how to raise our boys today. It talks about single parents, homeosexuality, and the origins of male behaviors. Since I am basically raising my son without a strong male figuire this book is great for me!!

It sounds good. I worry a lot about being a single mother of a boy, that he gets the male input in to his life that he needs. I have a wonderful extended family and he does have strong males in that - but 80% of the time it is just him and I. He is only 4 but I worry about his teen years, and I believe that boys learn so much just by watching and I hope I can provide that for him, I so want him to be a fabulous man. Also I come from a family of only girls and have absolutely no idea about teenage boys and the things that worry them. I suspect I am going to be pretty useless in that department.

I had to comment here because being a single mom of a 9 yo boy in a family full of women I had the same fears. I also was involved with a loser so I was even more determined to use this chance to help mold the perfect man where I would be praised by his future gf's and wife. Alas that is a crazy notion as I have discovered. I thought if I caught him from birth I could prevent some of the more annoying male traits before they took root. Boy was I wrong. I strongly believe that boys and girls are born with certain traits and all you can do is help to develop or try to curb them. I have already had the birds and the bees talk which I thought would never happen and it went just fine. As far as teenage stuff, that's what the locker room is for. As far as growing up stuff I think the issues for boys and girls are much more similiar than we think. The trick is to not worry about it and go with the flow. If he really feels the need to talk to a man he will find someone to confide in. And if all else fails you have some great guys on here that can help and give advice.

Thanks Scoutmom, I know what you mean about the male traits I was shocked from the first week just how different my son is from little girls, and now he is 4 all that throwing, crashing and banging just exhausts me. However I love that masculinity and have no desire to change it. I think boys learn a lot about their relationships with women from watching how the male role models around them behave in their relationships. He just does not get to see that. I don�t think I can produce the �perfect� man, but I would like to be aiming for a happy man who has genuine relationships in his life and not emotionally immature and useless like a lot of women at this site have experienced. I think I AM worrying a little soon but coming from an all women family (my Dad was besieged) I do feel inadequate in this area. Your words give me hope!
Aroha

I think watching how the men around him interact with women can be a big influence on their relationships with women but I think the biggest factor will be his relationship with you. If he develops a good strong healthy relationship with you then he will be able to relate better to woman. Whenever I've thought about dating someone I always looked at their relationship with their mother and it would often show how they were going to relate to me, both good and bad.

Lovebug that is a awesome book. I read it a few years back and really learned a lot from it.

Drew

...and she dies at the end...correct?

Very sad book...

Hmmm...really? I didn't remember it right then...

Ever read "Everyone Poops?" Classic reading for children...

WHOA!

Sounds like a chick book.

I'll love you forever is a must read in our house. We read it at least twice a week before bed. And yea it's kind of a chick book! but SOOOOOOO sweet. And Bringing up boys is a good book, but a little extreme in some things. I tend to like Dr. Dobson though

I like Dr. Dobson, too....I will have to check out that book!

Another great read that I found really helpful is "Wild At Heart" by John Eldredge. It is all about what are great traits in boys to encourage and how to encourage them. Very inspiring read.

i've read this and totally agree! unfortunately my ex has commandeered my copy, however i guess i should be happy that he is taking an interest.