How can you tell if someone needs encouragement?

If they are breathing, according to Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-fil-A.

Children can easily and quickly become discouraged, especially when tired or stressed, and become negative, self-critical, and depressed.

The Bible mentions “encouragement” a lot, including Hebrews 3:13, which tells us to “encourage each other daily.”

You can create an encouraging environment for your loved ones by building up and encouraging them more than criticizing and correcting them. 

Kids will know it is OK and safe to make mistakes and learn that God can use their failures to help them grow.

Parents should be their family’s CEO — Chief Encouragement Officers.

For more information about a Proven Process that is helping boys grow into godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Your teen boy is going through a lot of changes. You might need to change a bit, too.

Of course, the fundamentals of godly parenting and discipline will stay the same. But as your son matures, it’s important to take a step back and prayerfully consider that a change in approach may be helpful.

For instance, a teen boy will most likely pull away from his mom and gravitate towards his dad. This is normal and healthy, and experts say to encourage that relationship. Many high school boys are also extremely hard on themselves and sensitive to criticism, so be sure to ramp up the encouragement and empathy. And finally, teen boys are dealing with a lot of hormones and emotions. Encourage your son to pursue healthy outlets, especially outdoor physical activity.

To learn about the five critical needs of boys, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Have you heard the saying, “Life is better together”?

The Bible puts it this way in Proverbs 27:17: As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

Here are five ways you can live out being better together as a family.

Read together. Read the Bible and other books as a family.

Learn together. Share what God is showing you as read His Word. 

Talk together. Talk about what God is doing in your life.

Pray together. Thank God for all He's done for your family and pray for your family and other people.

Memorize scripture together. Like the psalmist, let’s hide God's Word in our hearts so that we will not sin against Him. 

For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

What can you give your children and grandchildren that won’t cost you any money and will last forever?

Parents and grandparents who teach their children and grandchildren to know, love and follow Jesus will leave a spiritual inheritance that will last for generations and into eternity.

Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Have you encouraged your children or grandchildren to follow God? Do you pray for them to know and love Him? If you do not have children, are there any kids in your church or neighborhood for whom you could regularly pray?

For more information about a Proven Process that is helping boys grow into godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

“What does successful parenting look like?”

If you ask a group of parents this question, you would get a lot of different responses.

Most parents want their kids to graduate high school and college, get a good job, get married, have children, and live “happily ever after.”

As a parent, you can easily become focused on worldly success and helping your kids achieve the “American Dream,” but that’s not the goal in Christian parenting.

Your goal should be to raise your kids to know, love, and follow Jesus!

If you raise your boys to love the LORD with all their heart, soul, and strength, you have achieved parenting success.

For more information about a Proven Process that is helping boys grow into godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Have you heard this saying? “Don’t major in the minors.”

We can easily get distracted in life and become consumed by things that don’t really matter.

Jesus often condemned the Pharisees for this type of behavior, giving them a stern lecture in Luke 11:42.

“Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.”

Let’s ask God to help us teach our boys to focus on the things that matter most: loving Him and loving our neighbors.

For more information about a Proven Process that is helping boys grow into godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

What should you do when your son disrespects you or someone else?

Try to resist the urge to reprimand or correct him in public.

When you are in private, calmly tell him that while you are sad that he chose to show dishonor or disrespect, this is an opportunity for him to grow, and you hope he will make a better choice the next time.

Then be sure to commend him the next time you see him showing honor and respect.

Remember that the best way for children to learn the value of honor and respect is to see you live it out, especially during disagreements.

Values are indeed more caught than taught.

Let’s follow the Golden Rule by treating others the way we want to be treated.

For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

In his book Bringing Up Boys, Dr. James Dobson compares parents of sons to a bug called a processionary caterpillar. 

A scientist once tested these caterpillars by making them walk in a circle, with a food source in the middle of their circle. The caterpillars just kept following each other, instead of stopping to eat, and eventually died of starvation, right next to a food source.

Dr. Dobson says parents of sons often follow other parents in the same way. They put their son in lots of activities, trying to help him keep up with his peers. But in reality, most of the time, what boys really need is to stop, take a rest, and connect with the source of true life– our Creator God.

For more ideas on raising boys to become godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

You know who needs to see your mistakes? Your son. That’s right.

When you miss a work deadline or hurt a friend’s feelings, let your son know. If handled properly, it can be a great training ground for your son.

First, manage your emotions. If you’re embarrassed or angry, take a deep breath or go on a walk to calm down. Next, explain what you did wrong. Share with your son how you’re going to fix the problem, and what you’ve learned for the future.

The world desperately needs your son to grow up to be a humble and responsible man. The best way to encourage that is to model it the best you can. Your transparency  will not only combat perfectionism— you’ll also remind him that God’s grace is sufficient for all of us.

For more ideas for raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

Maybe your son just needs a break.

You only want the best for your son. You want to make sure he does well in school, eats reasonably well, makes friends, and participates in extracurriculars. And those are all wonderful things. But in this fast-paced society, don’t forget to let your son take a break, as well. Schedule “down days,” where you don’t have anything planned. Give your son long stretches of time where he can do whatever he wants. You might feel like a neglectful parent, but allowing your son to be bored will give him time to relax, play, and learn to manage his own time. When in doubt, just send him outside– he’ll find something to do!

For more ideas on raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.