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You are here: Home / Dad / Is telling your kid to ‘man up’ a cop​-out?

Is telling your kid to ‘man up’ a cop​-out?

July 1, 2015 by GreatDad Writers Leave a Comment

If you grew up with a father who wasn’t very emotional, odds are you try to raise your sons the same way. After all, there’s a strong cultural push for boys to be the strong, silent types. However, you might want to consider who your son is before raising him in some predetermined way.

Even if you were raised to be tough, you shouldn’t tell your kid to “man up” when they’re upset or in pain. Raising a sensitive boy means questioning things you thought you knew about yourself for the benefit of your kids.

  • Don’t take things personally: Your kid’s just trying to be who he is, not who you want him to be. Take a step back and ask yourself if you can put your prejudices aside.
  • Teach self-care: Many boys can get right back up after falling off a bike or scraping their knees, but more sensitive boys need to know when they’ve had enough. Teach your kid about walking away from situations he thinks are too dangerous.
  • Different is good: Believing in this yourself is key to getting along with your kid as he ages. You never have to understand everything about the choices your son makes, but teaching him that he doesn’t have to be like everybody else will make it easier for both of you to get along.

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Great Dad Talks is a series of conversations with experts on all aspects of the family adventure. With the perspective that “dads don’t always think like moms,” our mission is to support dad voices and our slightly different approaches to parenting. We’ll try to find solutions to every day challenges like getting kids off the couch and making STEM classes available for both boys and girls. But we’ll also tackle bigger issues when they come. The one main theme will be to support dads in the most important role of their lives that of being a great dad. Connect with us at greatdad.com and watch the video version of these podcasts at YouTube.com/greatdadnews

169. Overcoming Childhood Trauma with Steven Scott Eichenblatt
byPaul Banas

In this powerful episode of Great Dad Talks, I speak with Steven Scott Eichenblatt about his gripping book, Pretend They’re All Dead. Steven shares his intense personal journey of growing up with an absent and then abusive father, overcoming extreme childhood trauma, and finding his way to becoming a supportive father himself.

We explore parental estrangement, generational trauma, and the lifelong impact of absence, along with how these experiences shaped Steven’s path as a lawyer and child advocate. He opens up about hard-earned lessons on presence, vulnerability, and why showing up for your children truly matters.

Whether you grew up with family challenges, are working to break cycles for your own kids, or just want to hear a raw and honest take on what it really means to be a father, this episode is for you.

Check out Steven’s website at www.stevenscotteichenblatt.com

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