If you’re new here, welcome! Two Tip Tuesday is my (somewhat) weekly ritual of dropping two super valuable tips in your inbox. Each time, we start with a ninja parenting hack and finish with a red-hot resource.
Today, I’m adding a bonus for those of you who missed last week’s “Moms of Sons” event with Ryan Park. He showed us how positive female mental health focuses on connection, while positive male mental health centers on capability. He showed us exactly how to focus our mother-son conversations on celebrating strengths, identifying goals, and exploring solutions rather than starting with emotional validation, which can cause boys to shut down.
One idea I loved is to swap “How do you feel?” with “What’s on your mind?” I’ve been using this on my boys, and it’s working like a charm. Try it and let me know what you think!
1. Host a “Workshop” for Your Child
You know I host workshops at schools, companies, and in this community, but did you know I host workshops for my kids in our house regularly? And I think you should too.
It all started when I was frustrated by my whole family’s inability to wipe a F%$ing countertop down with a sponge. I was so angry, I screamed, “Geez, do you need a workshop on this? It’s not that hard.” I was shaming them, I know. I’m not proud.
But that’s when I realized, yes, actually they do need a workshop on how to wipe down a countertop after dinnertime. They’re children after all.
So I brought them all together and said, “Welcome to the Counter-Wiping Workshop.” And I taught them how to do it. It was actually very funny, and the first of many “workshops” I’ve hosted over the years on various life skills.
Last week, my 13-year-old son couldn’t find the bread knife, which always lands in different slots in the drawer. Guess what he did! He brought us all together and said, “Welcome to the Knife Drawer Workshop,” and he proceeded to outline where each knife goes.
So that’s today’s tip: Host a 5 minute workshop in your house to teach your kids one small, simple skill at a time.
2. Join us for “Talk to Your Boys”
I like to host “Book Club Plus” events, which are an opportunity to engage in a deep discussion about books, movies, podcasts, and articles that move the needle on raising our sons. It’s a piece of the Boy Mom Academy that moms love.
Next month, it’s open to all, and we’re discussing the book Talk to Your Boys – 16 Conversations to Help Tweens and Teens Grow into Confident, Caring Young Men. No time to read? No problem. I always send an article and an interview with the author to get you up to speed for the discussion. Feel free to join us whether or not you’ve read the book. Details will land in your inbox after you register.
Talk to Your Boys is a USA Today National Best Seller and recommended by Common Sense Media. I’m looking forward to reading it, sharing my thoughts with you, and hearing your thoughts on the topic.
I hope to see you there!
– Rachel