"It is easier to raise boys than to fix men."
I have so many stories to tell of what it is like to raise a son. Dylan is very cause and effect! He is adventurous, curious, not afraid to get dirty, try new things, loud, full of energy and quick to fix a problem. He is quick to tell you his opinion, a story or a joke. He doesn't lack words like many boys. He has smashed batteries to see what is inside, torn apart flashlights, smashed eggs to see if there was a chicken inside on the sofa landing in the carpet, created many experiments in the kitchen with numerous boxes of baking soda and bottles of vinegar. I have lost many tupperware containers to nature experiments and probably most of my teaspoons as well.
In essence, Dylan is very sensory-based. He has to experience everything through sight, hearing, touch and smell. He is impulsive and has a hard time sitting still for too long. He is extremely bright, brave and daring, he always want to make things happen. He can be bossy and a know it all. He is excels at everything he does if he puts in effort, struggles with losing and needs patience in carrying through with directions. I often have to look him in the eye if I want him to follow through. He is strong-willed, has tons of confidence, self-sufficient and a born leader.
We have found he does better with a set schedule, clear boundaries, clear consequences and consistent follow through. He loves it when you spend one on one time with him. Although we have our challenges, Dylan is such a fun, loving, party waiting to happen. He has always been known as the class clown and he brings fun into our home where we are pretty serious individuals. Often we find ourself praying and asking God for wisdom.
Boys! Shaping Ordinary Boys into Extraordinary Men by William Beausay II is a great resource. He suggests building qualities such as respect, disciplined habits, good habits, complete mastery of a skill and a spiritual foundation. One way we have encouraged mastery is that if one of our kids plays a sport or musical instrument, they must complete the season or year even if they hate it. We have not found a sport that Dylan LOVES but we keep trying many team sports hoping that some day soon he will find one he likes.
We are learning what Dylan's gifts and talents are and how to inspire him to do his best in everything. He has great potential and learning comes easily to him. Tim Kimmel's Grace Based Parenting talks about the perfect balance between Truth (Clear Rules) and Favor (Heart-connected Relationship). Rules without relationship leads to rebellion. Relationship without rules leads to resentment. Dylan has a very soft heart and grasps concepts about God quickly. We are working to establish a heart of gratitude and to respect others like yourself. I often say, if you aim at nothing, you gain nothing. We truly are believing that God will use Dylan in a mighty way some day, we just are instruments to guide his journey....
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