Tips for Raising a Boy for Single Moms

• Accept that your son can have differences of perception and the ways in which he reacts to things than you, just because he is a boy.
• Boys are generally more active than girls and they may need to release this excessive energy with vigorous exercises. So a home gym for boys and the right kind of exercises can keep your son active and healthy too.
• Children need to be nurtured and your little son is still not ready to should the responsibilities of adults such as your confidant or your rescuer. Never make statements or allow other to make statements like he ‘is the man around the house’ and should or need to ‘take care of Mommy’.
• If your child resembles his father, you might get emotional sometimes just seeing his face. It is okay. But also let your son know how much you value him.
• In case of Father-son events, ask the coach or the troop leader about your single parent family and get the permission to make it a parent-child event. This will give the essential boost to the self-esteem of our little boy.
• It is important to teach boys how guys go to potty or groom themselves but that doesn’t mean that if your toddler is mimicking you wearing makeup or other feminine activities, it’s panic time. Eventually, as your son will grow older, he will learn the differences and shift to what all other boys do.
• It is not necessary that every father who lives at home ‘fathers’ the children. Other males can also be good role models for your son such as a grand parent, a close friend or a teacher. Let your son find his own role model in a person to whom he really feels connected.
• Males respond to emotional situations differently and so may your son, but this is not anything to think about when it comes to teaching him your values.
• Place high value on male-female relationships and try to forget d forgive men who have hurt you in the past. Negative attitude toward men may never resolve your problem but may not be healthy for your son’s growth and development.
• While you are trying to fulfill the responsibilities of both mom and dad at once, do not feel guilty that your baby or toddler is missing out on something. Instead, be open to discussions and do not try to focus that mom-son relationships are the only ones that prosper. Give a realistic perspective to the child, discuss and interact with all kinds of families. All families are different and this is how the world is.
• You may help your child to learn to be a ‘boy’ by enrolling him group activities for boys such as Cub Scouts. This will also give them a sense of belonging.
• You may point out positive qualities in men, whenever you see them. For example, point out that the ‘friendly’, ‘smiling’ or ‘attentive’ delivery boys are nicer than the rude ones.