Family

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Well, I guess it all started about ten years ago, when the doctor told me I was going to be the Mommy to a bouncing baby boy. Excited, I dove in, scouring stores for adorable little boy clothes, hats, accessories. That's when it hit me. As I viewed the pitiful ten-foot-by-ten-foot assortment of boy clothes at Target, I compared it to the miles of girls' clothes just an aisle over. That's when the rage began; that's when I was first introduced to the injustice of it all, the fact that the world is at war with boys. And it's just become worse as the years have progressed.

Now, the proud mother of two boys, I can see this same attitude penetrating all parts of my boys' lives, and I'm fed up. From school, to clothes, to online smut, the world is attacking the spiritual, emotional and physical attributes that real men should have. Instead, they hope to turn every boy into pseudo-women, feminine in their makeup so as to be easier to manipulate, or targeting them for pornography and so they devalue women, further weakening the family unit.

So, for all the moms who want to raise real men in a feminine world, I suggest we rise up in solidarity, and agree to a pact: we will raise our sons to be just that - sons. Not metrosexual versions of the male species, afraid of getting dirty, hard labor or (gasp!) sweating. As for me, I'm making a mental promise to myself and my children that goes something like this:

I will not hinder his need to collect slimy, smelly, dirty objects.
I will refrain from shouting, "Be Careful!" every time he climbs something higher than an armchair. (Boys, by nature are just not careful. They are, instead, curious, hence the slimy, smelly, dirty objects.)
I will allow him to pretend he is a dragon slayer, cop, Indian, warmonger, or any other unfeminine character his imagination dreams up, with the understanding that this will not turn him into a weapon-hoarding serial killer.
I will encourage him to run until he is overly winded and smelling of sweat and wind, embracing the fact he has extra energy that is kept pent up during school hours. Boys need an outlet, and I will eagerly support his need to exercise it.
I will actively search for stores who aren't afraid to stock a healthy portion of boys' clothes in all sizes, and pledge my undying loyalty to them.
I won't, under any circumstances, insist that my son accompany me for a pedicure, manicure, hair appointment, clothes shopping for lingerie, or any other feminine pastime unless a suitable babysitter is unavailable. (Let's face it, most of this would be torture for any boy, and if you are shopping for lingerie with your son, you have other problems).
I will encourage a healthy and active interest in activities that surround him with spiritually healthy male figures, realizing that the World is destroying our church by starting with the men. By clearing the path toward other Godly men outside his home, he is being fortified by other role models who can, thereby, mentor him toward adulthood.
I will let him explore (mostly) without limits, nudging him toward adventure that will feed the need for incremental independence.
I will get dirty, on occasion, with my boy, fishing, camping, hiking or exploring with him. (This does not mean moms have to collect slimy, smelly, dirty objects).
I will explain why a girl on the cover of a magazine is not a realistic view of women; I will, instead, point him toward the virtues of amazing real-life girls, whose wisdom and kindness outshine rubies (and centerfolds).
I will pray for his spiritual, emotional, physical and mental development every day, so that in all ways his choices will point to the Lord, and away from the darkness of the World.
I will cherish every time he holds my hand, snuggles next to me under a warm blanket, tells me he loves me or hugs me in a tight embrace, for these days are limited.
"Boys will be boys" is a phrase as old as dust, yet, it is slowly losing its meaning in our modern culture. I, for one, want my boys to grow into men, not the World's version of what a man should be.

So, bring on the callouses! I want my guys to be strong, courageous, compassionate, inspiring, hard-working men of integrity. And I'm not ashamed to admit it.

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