The book Mothers and Sons: Raising Boys to be Men is written especially with single parents in mind in order to help us build emotional, spiritual and sexual stability in our sons. The author, Jean Lush raised her own son, and was a family therapist for over thirty years.
Some of the chapter titles include:
* The Mothers Behind Successful Men
* Normal Developmental Phases
* The Roller-Coaster Years
* Little Boys are Sexually Aware
* Hormonal Phases of a Mother’s Life
* What About Single Moms?
* What About Moral Values?
The book was published back in 1988 through Focus on the Family, and does offer some Freudian theories especially regarding the sexual stages of boys. The author offers a biblical perspective on homosexuality that will not be viewed as popular in today’s post-modern culture. The writer uses a no nonsense-get right to the point style that might be uncomfortable for some people or refreshing for others depending on what you have been reading lately.
I found the book to be very helpful especially when the author listed certain characteristics of boys in different stages. For example the list of typical behavior of an eleven year old boy listed on page 51 includes:
1. Frequent loud and rude outbursts.
2. He moves every part of his body, twisting, bouncing up and down, knocking his knees together.
3. May not participate well, but will sit and listen to formalized instruction.
4. More negative and critical of his mother.
Some of these descriptions have really helped explain certain peculiar behaviors that I have witnessed and also helped me to realize that I am not a complete failure as a parent, and my children are not bound for a juvenile detention center! Another listing at the end of the book in the appendix details specific work responsibilities for children broken down by age grouping, and chores that children can help with around the house.
At the end of each chapter there are Thinking it Through questions that can be answered individually or with a study group. I found a lot of information in this book that I have not seen in other books. It is available through Amazon.com and is a bargain at under $7.