“Don’t climb on that, don’t break anything, don’t be so aggressive, don’t be so noisy, don’t be so messy, don’t take such crazy risks. But God’s design-which He placed in boys as the picture of Himself- is a resounding yes. Be fierce, be wild, be passionate.” ~John Eldridge
Do the words in the quote sound familiar? I feel like I’m saying them all the time. “Don’t do this, don’t do that.” When really, the last thing in the world that I want is for my son to be anything less than he was created to be. The first word that comes to mind when I think of my boys is, adventure. They thrive on it. They have to have it.
Please join me at Lil Light O’ Mine as I share my experience, hopes and prayers for my boys.
Even A Girl Like Me 
Lol … I agree totally… if it’s in arm’s reach it’s fair game!!!
I think “don’t” is such an ugly word. If we can figure out ways to first not use it and second to say things in a positive way instead of a negative way then we can mold much better I think.
Even as a grown man I cringe when someone says “don’t” to me.
So true!
I don’t know Joy… It is hard not to try to protect them and it is hard to let them have the freedom to break stuff.. but I know our kids are more important than our stuff. I think at those times if we can come along side them at least part of the time they are doing the stuff that makes us cringe and we join in with them we can send them a strong message of how much we love them.
YES! I agree! I don’t think we should let them break things. I just think that for me, I must provide a way for them to explore and get their energy out instead of reprimanding them for being boys.
I have to stop saying no so much and join in the fun sometimes 🙂 I definitely don’t play enough.
I agree that we should not let them break things but I think we need to know that boys and sometimes girls will break stuff and at that time we have a great opportunity to respond not in anger but in an appropriate way that says “ok we did not want that to happen but since it did we will deal with it and it may cost you something”. I still struggle with how my father responded one time my brother and I broke a window playing and my father responded by threatening us.
I have learned, especially with my boys that if it’s something I cherish and would not want broken, I put it way out of their reach. Many disagree with me and say that I should teach my boys not to put their hands on “my” things. There is some truth to that as well. However, I want to say “yes” to them as much as I can and if I have a beautiful something that I love out, within their curious reach, I think I’m asking for it.