I was brushing my teeth and in walks my son and announces “Wow, You have a big butt!!” Now in all fairness, I do, plus my butt is basically at his eye level, so I can only imagine how big it must look from that point of view… But still I knew the time had come…Time to sit my boys down and teach them how to treat a lady. I lined them up side by side and told them “Boys, we need to talk. As my boys, I expect you to treat girls a certain way. I want you to listen and ask questions when necessary.”
First piece of advice: Do not, under any circumstances say “You have a big butt”, trust me no girl will ever want to hear they have a big butt. Even if they ask. The answer is always no. My other son then chimes in and asks “Is it okay to say you have big Nukies??” (Take a guess what he means by that) I, while trying not to laugh in horror say “NO, that is not okay either, in fact, you are wayyyy to young to be thinking or talking about those things anyways” He shrugs and says okay. Wow, this might be harder than I thought….
Okay second piece of advice: Always remember what a girl looks like on the outside is not what matters. What counts is what is on the inside. Girls have so much more to them than shinny pretty hair and sparkly eyes. They are smart and have wild, brilliant imaginations that will offer them many opportunities throughout life. Girls also have big hearts that will love and nurture many people throughout their lives, but a huge part of that heart will be set aside for the husband and children she hopes to have one day. Don’t touch that part of her heart until you know you want the same thing.
Third piece of advice: Treat girls, as if they were your sister.. No not the sister who is taking all your toys that you are mad at, the sister that needs your help, and you come rushing to her rescue. That, right there. That’s how I want you to treat girls, be protective of them, help them when needed, but know most things they are perfectly capable of doing on their own.They are strong, and brave, and will most likely be the ones who carry you through some of life’s toughest moments.
Fourth piece of advice: Always let the girl go first. It’s not only polite, but it also shows her you trust her to lead the way. That her way means something to you, and that your willing to go along on the journey with her. Eventually a girl may ask you to take the lead, when that time comes, lead her with confidence, and make sure you are looking out for her as much as you are looking out for yourself.
Fifth piece of advice: Respect them as you would respect me. Listen carefully to what they are saying, and honor their words. If they say no, they mean no. If they say pay attention, pay attention. If they want to help you, let them. If they say and show that they love you, trust that they do.
My hope is that if my boys are able to learn and remember these five things at ages 4 & 6 years old, they will start off their relationships with girls (as friends of course for now) on the right foot. That this will at least give them a guideline on how to become the man who is someday husband worthy in the future. The very… very… distant future. 😉
XO♥ Nicole
Great advice for your boys! However I have no doubt those sweet boys will turn into loving & respectful men…they are already so respectful and caring!
Thank you Katie!!! I appreciate that!! xoxo
I would just like to say you don’t have a big butt! I love teaching boys to put ladies first. I recently started this with Joey. He currently sees it as unfair but I know one day he’ll be a gentleman.
Good!! You can never start to early!!! He will be for sure <3
Awwww! This is so cute. You’re a good parent teaching them at a young age!
Thank you Joy!! You are the sweetest!! I appreciate all your support! xo
This post is so eye-opening for me. I have four daughters, and two sons (one is just a toddler), and when I think about it, I realize that I’ve spent a lot more time instructing my girls on how to behave with the opposite sex than discussing such with my son. Wow- the points you mentioned are SO important to impress on a boy, especially when they’re young. Thanks!
I am so glad this gave you food for throught! 🙂 Thank you so much for the feedback! I think as moms it’s so important that we start teaching them young because then it will just be a part of who they are as they grow.
Two and three were my favorite!! I have a little guy and have been thinking about how to teach him to respect women as he grows up. Thanks for the tips.
No problem! Glad they helped 🙂
Such good advice! I think it’s time for me to have this same chat with my boy.
This is wonderful advice! And so, so important. Thanks so much for sharing.
Great advice and kudos to you for letting them know this at a younger age. That way they will grow up with it. It won’t be difficult for them to do. It will come naturally.
Thank you! My thoughts exactly!! I want it to be so engrained in who they are that it just comes naturally as they grow. I know some of my points are a bit old school, but to me, I think we as a society need to make this more of a priority.
You’re very welcome!
“What counts is on the inside”…yep! “always let the girl go first”…yep! Great article (:
Thank you!
I love it that you are treating your boys to be gentlemen. The world would be a better place if everyone taught their children to be kind.
I 100% agree!!
Great post and you are raising boys that in the very, very distant future will make some lucky woman very happy.
You are raising your children right! Amen to you…there should be more moms out there teaching their children about respect and how to treat others. Thanks for this article. Your sons are going to be wonderful men one day all because of you!
Thank you so much Jaquelyn, I really appreciate that!
Great advice! Great topic! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you!!
Great advice, and it’s great to start early. My husband’s 17 year old son could use a few of these lessons NOW in his life… he is not nice to his sisters and hits them and picks on them constantly, and that behavior is now how he acts towards his girlfriend, who is the sweetest little thing ever. I keep telling my husband that he needs to start really ingraining in his son how to treat a lady!
Definitely!! If we as parents don’t, then you will?? Plus if we want the best for our kids (an amazing wife for instance one day) then they have to deserve the best…like being an amazing husband right back to that wonderful girl ❤️