Book Review: What a Difference a Mom Makes

Boys will be boys--always.

And no one has a more powerful impact on them than you, Mom.

Surprise! Your boy wants to please you, and he cares deeply about what you think. Those driving needs will stay with him throughout his lifetime. That gives you, Mom, a lot of influence over your son. You can set him up for success in life.

In What a Difference a Mom Makes, the New York Times bestselling author Dr. Kevin Leman reveals how you can make a positive imprint on your son--from the moment you first hold him in your arms until the moment he leaves for college. And the best news? It's never too late to start, no matter what age your son is now.

Through Dr. Leman's expert advice, you'll understand who your son is on the inside, the truth behind sibling squabbles (and how to handle them), a secret for discipline that works every time, and how to navigate the critical teen years. You'll also discover how your parenting style impacts your relationship with your son and how you can respond in a healthy way to his growing interest in sex and relationships.

Want to capture your boy's heart? Want a man you'll be proud to call your son? You can make a difference, because you are the one who matters most in your boy's world.

Even if he won't admit it.

 

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If you've  been reading my blog for any length of time, then you know I'm very blessed to have four children, two of which are boys. So I definitely couldn't pass up the opportunity to review this book. I was pretty excited for it to arrive.

I enjoy a very good relationship with my 13 year old son, Sam. We communicate well with each other and we share the same sense of humour. While he knows I'm a softie, he is careful not to take advantage of that, and he is very respectful of me. I cannot tell you how thankful I am that he is the way he is. I want to ensure that I do everything I can as his mother to raise him up through the difficult teen years into a good man. It is my hope that Matt and I will share the same close relationship as he grows older.

One of the many things I liked about this book is that it isn't geared towards a particular age group of boys. The author touches on each stage of life, from birth right through to college. He shares what is important to boys, how they think, and what they long for. The best thing they long for? To make their mom happy!

Many times I'd read something that would get me thinking, and I'll ask Sam if that was true, or something he felt or wondered about. It opened up a few really great conversations.

The author talks about how to raise your son to be respectful to you, and to his siblings. When to stop doing things for them so they learn to do them for themselves, when and how to talk about drinking, drugs and sex. How to treat a girl, and definitely how not to treat a girl. He covers temper tantrums, positive reinforcement, how to let go and how birth order plays a role.

I was pleased to discover that many of the things a mother should be doing are things I'm already doing, but I still learned so much. I want to still have strong relationships with Sam and Matt even after they are married and have families of their own.

I've always been so thankful to be married to a wonderful man like my Ian. He is respectful of me, affectionate and encouraging. He helps around the house and willingly changes diapers and goes grocery shopping. He is devoted to God and lives that out every day. Our sons have a great example to follow. It's easy to feel as though I don't have as big an impact on them being their mother. After reading this book I realized that my role as their mother is equally as important. And in some areas, even more so.

I will definitely keep this book on my bookshelf and recommend it to anyone who is blessed to have boys.

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"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".