Saturday, May 15, 2010

Boys and Manners

"A man's manners are a mirror in which he shows his portrait."


Johann Wolfgang von Goethe



I didn't say, did I, that I was going to discuss perfection in boys? I certainly hope not. If I did, I can promise you that I am fighting a losing battle. It ain't happenin'....girls, on the other hand........just joking!

Boys and manners.
Is that an oxymoron? I don't really think it has to be. Boys are boys, now, but they can be taught. It just takes all of your effort for the rest of your life with them. By the time they move off on their own, surely your prayers and your tenacity will have had a positive effect. Of course you will be totally exhausted, taking the next several years to recuperate. That's assuming that grandsons don't come along too soon. If so, just be ready to give all of your expert advice to the mom and dad. (You do know what an expert is, don't you? An ex is a has been and a spurt is a leaky faucet.) I know, that has nothing to do with anything. But besides that, you will be determined to try to overcome all the perceived failures on your part to properly train the sons that God gave you, so you will just dive in with both feet and a staunch determination to do it right this time with your almost perfect-save-manners grandson.

My tip for the day
Go to http://www.wholesomechildhood.com/manners/ and order the e-book "100 Important Things Your Boys Need to Know: A Homeschooler's Guide to Boys and Manners." It's $14.95 and I think well worth it. That's 2 tickets to the movies or one cheap meal out. If you don't want to do that, I will probably critique much of it, but I really think that if you have a boy, you will love it. It is full of practical advice and poems and quotes and stories about boys who needed to learn manners. It has many other helps, as well. I sent the link to all my girls encouraging them to get it as a resource.
Be blessed as you delve into the joys of doing what is right and good for those you love most. Hard work does pay off!

4 comments:

B Lines

Ex-Spurt! I love it. Thanks for the food for thought.

Under Her Wings

Thanks for the encouragement to keep writing! By the way, I'm an Arkansas girl, too.

nannykim

Had to laugh at this one! And your froggy post below. I am glad we are not all girls ;-). Variety is very interesting.

Damon Steele

Where'd the "boy pic" go? :-)

D

Post a Comment