A Mother's Plea for Her Sons: Don't Disregard the Hearts of Little Boys

Dear Readers-

These handsome fellows are my sons:  Reggie (top) Age 4, Jude (middle) Age 10 months, and Wyatt Age 2 (bottom). 

Tonight, when putting the oldest son, Reggie, to bed- I found myself in tears.  I was having an emotional response to a struggle he'd been having with his attitude the last couple of weeks since returning back to school.  

He goes to a Montessori school and had been in the toddler room since he was two.  They teach him how to take care of himself with a grace and courtesy curriculum and move into academics slowly as he shows interest in it.  This year, he was promoted to Children’s House (age 3-6) and academically and schedule wise it’s harder.  

He. Doesn’t. know. Everything.

He is constantly challenged.

And- worse off-

He has no choice in the matter.

Even if that was -YOU-

Wouldn’t you catch a little attitude in the transition?

These children are transitioning over to the “busyness” of this world only because the adults run the world they were born into.

  

We don’t have time anymore to give our kids a free-range childhood.

It’s so sad because I think it hurts our boys the most.

I believe my boys were born to be what God designed them to be.  For those of you who don’t believe in God, it has nothing to do with their career.  It has everything to do with my sons being men that lead/help others before themselves.  I want my sons to trust Jesus enough to know that they are worthy of their calling, wife, kids, and dreams one day-  just.as. they. are.

I want my boys to explore their curiosities now while mommy and daddy can still coach them through the heart struggles behind it.

I want them to FREELY play often even it gets super annoying and loud because I want them to be proud of their own bodies and actions instead of just idolizing fictional characters on the screen.

I want to hear them out OFTEN. 

My worst fear sharing them with the real world is that everyone will be too busy telling them “what to do” that no one will want to hear what they “really” want to say.

Raising my sons is like raising 3- Curious Georges.  They monkey around all the time- physically and even in how they joke/play.  They are all kind-hearted but rough at the same time.  If they drop something- it’s more of a slam.  If they hit you, it will hurt BAD.  If they want to say something rude, it will be Next-level disrespectful.  If they call for you- it’s not a whisper- it’s a SHOUT.

Those are my boys.

As a teacher, around this time, all routines, rules, and expectations are officially taught.   By now, I know who is going to need extra supports with behaviors.  In all ten years, all of these types of students with the exception of 1 in my classroom, were boys.  

I cried last night and had such a heavy heart all week for my boys- at school and at home.  

My heart goes out to ALL. OF. THEM.

I wonder if those boys got the appropriate care of their hearts when they were younger.  I don’t know if they feel completely known or valued.   For that, I am eternally sorry.

When I look at my personal kids, I am inspired to stay in the classroom to care for struggles that their little lives can’t fight on their own.  Teaching helps my think that I am growing hearts around them. 

I work hard because I want them to know that their hearts matter MOST.

I tell them that all the time and, if I can spread that message everywhere I go before them.

They will be treated as better people moving forward.

As a “boy”mom and teacher, just get to know your boys and care for their hearts FIRST.  

To me, it’s the most important thing you can do for our culture and society.

With Love. Always,

Crystal