ON BOYS Podcast

Photo by woodleywonderworks via Flickr

Sports are a HUGE part of boy world -- and that's a problem for boys who aren't interested in or don't particularly enjoy athletics.

In this episode, Jen & Janet discuss:

Why it's so important for parents to separate their athletic ambitions from their sons'

How families can resist social pressure to sign up for sports

Alternative ways to encourage activity, build teamwork and socialize

How to identify and support your sons' true interests

Strategies parents and teachers can use to make recess and PE class more tolerable for (and inclusive of!) non-athletic kids

Links we mentioned (and more!) in Episode 103:

The Last Boys Picked: Helping Boys Who Don't Play Sports Survive Bullies and Boyhood, by Janet Sasson Edgette

Helping "The Last Boys Picked" Survive in Sports-Obsessed Schools by Janet Sasson Edgette

Signs at School of Troubled Non-Athletic Boys by Jennifer LW Fink

Being a Non-Sporty Boy in a Sports-Driven Culture by Janet Sasson Edgette

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Watch the UNCUT version on Youtube here.

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What's your experience?  Share in the comments below...

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Photo by woodleywonderworks via Flickr

Sports are a HUGE part of boy world -- and that's a problem for boys who aren't interested in or don't particularly enjoy athletics.

In this episode, Jen & Janet discuss:

* Why it's so important for parents to separate their athletic ambitions from their sons'

* How families can resist social pressure to sign up for sports

* Alternative ways to encourage activity, build teamwork and socialize

* How to identify and support your sons' true interests

* Strategies parents and teachers can use to make recess and PE class more tolerable for (and inclusive of!) non-athletic kids

Links we mentioned (and more!) in Episode 103:

The Last Boys Picked: Helping Boys Who Don't Play Sports Survive Bullies and Boyhood, by Janet Sasson Edgette

Helping "The Last Boys Picked" Survive in Sports-Obsessed Schools by Janet Sasson Edgette

Signs at School of Troubled Non-Athletic Boys by Jennifer LW Fink

Being a Non-Sporty Boy in a Sports-Driven Culture by Janet Sasson Edgette

=======================

Watch the UNCUT version on Youtube here.

=======================

What's your experience?  Share in the comments below...

Photo by Runar Pederson Hokestad via Flickr

Sam had high hopes for this 12th birthday. But things didn’t go as planned. Instead of a day of adventure and independence, Sam’s had an encounter with a cop and learned he must wait another four years to ride his ATV independently on the trails.

Dealing with disappointments is a key life skill. In this episode, Jen and Janet discuss how the “man box” stifles boys’ emotional expression and share strategies parents and teachers can use to help boys cope with disappointments big and small.

Links we mentioned (or should have!) in Episode 102:

Teach Your Boys To Comfort Others in a Crisis by Kim Hamer

How Do I Cope with Grief? by Eric Alper

Tapping Into Grief with Self-Empathy by Carole Downing

Helping Boys Develop Emotional Intelligence by Ian Thomas

Encouraging Emotional Intelligence in Boys by Jennifer LW Fink

Your Son’s Ability to Tolerate Frustration and Rejection is More Important Than You Know by Jennifer LW Fink

Parenting Through Disappointment, Loss and Grief by Carole Downing

=========================

Watch the UNCUT version on Youtube.

=========================

How have you helped your boys navigate disappointment, loss, and grief? Please share in the comments below.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Photo by Runar Pederson Hokestad via Flickr

Sam had high hopes for this 12th birthday. But things didn’t go as planned. Instead of a day of adventure and independence, Sam’s had an encounter with a cop and learned he must wait another four years to ride his ATV independently on the trails.

Dealing with disappointments is a key life skill. In this episode, Jen and Janet discuss how the “man box” stifles boys’ emotional expression and share strategies parents and teachers can use to help boys cope with disappointments big and small.

Links we mentioned (or should have!) in Episode 102:

Teach Your Boys To Comfort Others in a Crisis by Kim Hamer

How Do I Cope with Grief? by Eric Alper

Tapping Into Grief with Self-Empathy by Carole Downing

Helping Boys Develop Emotional Intelligence by Ian Thomas

Encouraging Emotional Intelligence in Boys by Jennifer LW Fink

Your Son’s Ability to Tolerate Frustration and Rejection is More Important Than You Know by Jennifer LW Fink

Parenting Through Disappointment, Loss and Grief by Carole Downing

=========================

Watch the UNCUT version on Youtube.

=========================

How have you helped your boys navigate disappointment, loss, and grief? Please share in the comments below.

Photo by Lars Plougmann via Flickr

Few things cause boys (and their families) as much stress as HOMEWORK.

In many cases, homework battles turn into outright power struggles -- with no winners.

In this episode, Jen & Janet discuss:

Why boys struggle with homework

The impact of homework on boys' academic achievement

What to do about "meaningless" homework

How a "too cool for school" attitude can interfere with learning

Why arguing about homework might not be the best use of your time and energy

Links we mentioned (and more!) in Episode 101

How to Get Boys to Do Homework, Part 1 By Jennifer LW Fink

How to Get Boys to Do Homework, Part 2 By Jennifer LW Fink

Homework Tip #3: Let Your Kids Figure Out When & Where to Work by Jennifer LW Fink

Homework at My House by Jennifer LW Fink

Homework Solutions in the Age of Distraction by Devorah Heitner, Phd

====================

Watch the UNCUT version on Youtube here.

====================

What great solutions have you found that work with your boys?  Please share!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Photo by Lars Plougmann via Flickr

Few things cause boys (and their families) as much stress as HOMEWORK.

In many cases, homework battles turn into outright power struggles -- with no winners.

In this episode, Jen & Janet discuss:

* Why boys struggle with homework

* The impact of homework on boys' academic achievement

* What to do about "meaningless" homework

* How a "too cool for school" attitude can interfere with learning

* Why arguing about homework might not be the best use of your time and energy

Links we mentioned (and more!) in Episode 101

How to Get Boys to Do Homework, Part 1 By Jennifer LW Fink

How to Get Boys to Do Homework, Part 2 By Jennifer LW Fink

Homework Tip #3: Let Your Kids Figure Out When & Where to Work by Jennifer LW Fink

Homework at My House by Jennifer LW Fink

Homework Solutions in the Age of Distraction by Devorah Heitner, Phd

====================

Watch the UNCUT version on Youtube here.

====================

What great solutions have you found that work with your boys?  Please share!

What do you get when you combine a former educator/family coach with a writer/mom of 4 boys? A podcast that's all about parenting, teaching and reaching tomorrow's men!

In this episode, you'll meet your co-hosts, Janet Allison and Jennifer L.W. Fink. Learn how they connected -- and why they believe it's so important for parents and teachers of boys to learn about the Boy Code.

 

Jen (left) & Janet (right)

Links we mentioned (or should have!) in Episode 100:

BoysAlive! (Janet's website) and consider joining the Boys Alive! Facebook group, too!

BuildingBoys (Jen's website) and consider joining the Building Boys Facebook group, too!

========================

Oh goodness, watch the UNCUT version on Youtube!

========================

Got a question, challenge or concern you'd like Janet & Jen to tackle on a future episode of On Boys?  Please share in the comments below.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What do you get when you combine a former educator/family coach with a writer/mom of 4 boys? A podcast that's all about parenting, teaching and reaching tomorrow's men!

In this episode, you'll meet your co-hosts, Janet Allison and Jennifer L.W. Fink. Learn how they connected -- and why they believe it's so important for parents and teachers of boys to learn about the Boy Code.

 

Jen (left) & Janet (right)

Links we mentioned (or should have!) in Episode 100:

BoysAlive! (Janet's website) and consider joining the Boys Alive! Facebook group, too!

BuildingBoys (Jen's website) and consider joining the Building Boys Facebook group, too!

========================

Oh goodness, watch the UNCUT version on Youtube!

========================

Got a question, challenge or concern you'd like Janet & Jen to tackle on a future episode of On Boys?  Please share in the comments below.

Photo by cotaro70s via Flickr

 

Want your boys to develop gentleness and empathy? Get a guinea pig.

So says Maggie Dent, Australia's BOY CHAMPION, mother of four grown boys and author of Mothering Our Boys: A Guide for Mums of Sons. 

If you haven't yet heard Part 1 of our conversation, toggle over and listen to that episode first.

Then dig into Part 2. Some highlights:

"It's really annoying that we still speak more harshly to little boys."

"'Boys will be boys' is not acceptable without boundaries. However, you can't punish a little boy for something he did unintentionally."

"The #1 biological calling for males, still, is to be the defender and protector."

"Natural consequences are the best teacher. Sometimes, we have to celebrate the owies and ouchies and not see them as a sign of bad parenting."

In this episode, Maggie, Janet & Jen discuss:

* How to help elementary school boys handle their frustration when they get in trouble at school

* Boys' inclination toward protecting others

* How to support boys' interest in superhero boy & play fighting

* How to deconstruct the "man code" and help boys' live authentically

* How to talk so boys will listen

* The importance of social-emotional development and learning

* Boys' friendships -- & how moms can help their sons develop important relationship skills

* "Rooster" boys & "lamb" boys, & what they need from their parents & teachers

* How (& why) natural consequences help boys learn

* Why stepping back -- and allowing your son to make his own choices -- may be the best gift you can give your son

 

Links we mentioned (or should have) in Episode 140:

Mothering Our Boys: A Guide for Mums of Sons — Maggie’s latest book

"This is the book I'm on the earth to write." -- Maggie Dent

maggiedent.com — Maggie’s website. Jam-packed with resources!

Let Grow --  The new website of Lenore Skenazy, of Free-Range Kids fame

Dear mums of smelly, unmotivated, lazy, moody and confused 14 year old boys -- one of Maggie's best blog posts

Maggie Dent on YouTube -- Pro Tip: These short videos are great to share with dads!

Episode 129: Grief with Tom Golden

 

As 2018 draws to a close, we reflect back on our first year. 

This podcast launched on March 12, 2018. Since then, we've recorded 40+ episodes, on everything from tween boy hygiene to how to talk to boys about sex, consent and masculinity in the #MeToo era. We hosted 11 guests, including Warren Farrell (author of The Boy Crisis), Maggie Dent (Australia's "Boy Champion") and Jen's 12 year old son, Sam Fink. We tried hard to bring you information and inspiration, and look forward to tackling all kinds of topics in 2019.

In this episode, Janet & Jen discuss the 5 most popular episodes of 2018:

Episode 123: The Good News About Bad Behavior with Katherine Reynolds Lewis

This book is taking America by storm, and she is changing the way we are parenting.

Episode 101: Homework and Boys

As parents, we feel we have to conform to the school and the teacher, but that means we're battling with our sons every night because they don't want to do another ridiculous math sheet.

Episode 125: Anxiety and Depression in Boys

Anxiety and depression can show up so differently in boys and men than it does in girls and women.

Episode 121: Sibling Stress: How to Handle Bickering, Fighting & More

Part of what we did in this episode was talk about what's normal, and when bickering and fighting cross the line into a very harmful pattern of behavior.

Episode 104: Anger & Boys

Developmentally, there are really good reasons why your boys are quick to anger.

Links we mentioned (or should have) in Episode 141:

5 Steps to Untangle Your Parenting -- Janet's course to help parents

Down with Homework, Say U.S. School Districts - Wall Street Journal article

We Spent a Year Reporting on Teen Anxiety. Here's What We Learned - and Why You're Part of the Solution -- Deseret News article. Includes links to many other articles about anxiety.

Minivan Musings: How Parents Should Handle Their Angry Tween, Teen -- article referenced by Jen during the discussion of Anger & Boys