Photo: EarlyMama.com
From the very beginning, when we tucked our little son into bed at night, his dad and I reminded him that God had designed him a specific way for a specific purpose.
Our oldest son loved planes and the concept of flight from his earliest memories. This son’s interest were evident very early, and we focused on feeding him intellectually and hands on in this area. His choice of books including these 1st-2nd grade readers reflected that interest.
I read from Richard Scary’s Best Word Book Ever to this son for hours when I was on bed-rest carrying twins, but it was the page on airplanes that fired up his imagination in a big way!
I first thought ‘Richard Scary’ was some horrible thing for children! With Huckle the Cat, Lowly Worm , Hilda the Hippo, Bananas Gorilla, and the mice, it is a gem!!! The book is falling apart.
Two of our son’s favorite early readers.
Help For Your Son:
Focus on His Interests in Homeschool
The first time I stooped down beside our toddler son and pointed up into the sky to announce the approach of a two-seater airplane, I knew there was a connection made. I could feel his excitement! He was shivering with joy, and his eyes never left the sound of the motor until it was far out of sight. His little hand tightened on mine, and he was full of questions.
As we began more directed homeschooling, much of what we added in the way of writing and journaling encompassed everything planes, pilots, fighter jets, rockets, missiles, and astronauts.
I found this book report in one of AM Anderson’s book.
What continued through the years was a deepening interest in flight in general, but also in astronomy, the sciences, and engineering.
4th grade?
I thought little of what it might mean for him (or for me) to actually fly one day! It was too far down the road.
You’ve heard it said, “Be careful what tastes and affections you develop in your children.” It is so true! We as parents must deal with the eventualities of our choices. We are the gate-keepers.
Be Alert At the Library
While books seem innocent at the younger ages (and the summer reading programs at the library sound appealing), I would caution all parents to be completely aware of the content of anything from your local library or a neighbor’s home, for that matter. I still feel sick that a very dear friend’s son was sucked into porn at the age of 8 (really!) via books which were verbally graphic which caused him to seek it out.
Most of the garbage out there can take a young man off track from the very thing he really has a passion for!
I recommend being proactive and providing your own great books.
Books Unhealthy For Children- Recent Newbery, Caldecott, YA
Read-aloud Often!
Children will ask for more if a book is well-chosen.
Love of reading is usually developed early and will be profitable in using up lots of trouble-making free-time. Start collecting books now and tailor your purchases to winsomely draw your child into exciting, wholesome wonderment. We avoided fantasy in the younger years for a number of reasons, preferring autobiographies, living history, character-building, and nature stories.
We wanted our boys to take dominion, to become men ‘of steel and of velvet’, and yet to become men of good character and honor.
Have them read books with strong male characters doing unpredictable things. A few examples are:
My Side of the Mountain Trilogy
Mark Twain, Ralph Moody, Jules Verne, and GA Henty write great adventure books for boys!
It has been exciting to see how our 20-year-old son has retained a love of reading, and his tastes definitely continue to reflect that early diet of aviation, science, history, and current events.
More Book Resources for boys and girls
- Character-Building Book Resources For Raising Younger Boys
- 15 Proven Ways To Increase The Attention Span Of Boys
- 100+ Books To Fight Back the Culture: Preschool Thru Grade 12
Intentionally Let Go of Your Son
So Mothers, with the help of your husbands, intentionally guide your son in his young years to his interests, committing them to the Lord, and help your son to guard his heart until he takes his faith seriously and governs himself.
This is not done overnight.
Later, you must gradually open your hand to hold him more and more loosely. Your son can and will fly upon wings like an eagle. If held onto too tightly, he will either resent and despise you or become weak and unable to lead his own family someday (or both). I have had to walk these last years on my knees and resign my ideas as the Lord has revealed His!
Now our son has finished his instrument rating and is close to obtaining his commercial hours and earning his college degree. While I still have anxious moments (some days he is flies in the clouds, following only the instruments and tower contact), I pray he is remaining grounded in the Word – and that’s all that matters.
Thought he is by no means a perfect person, it is a joy to be his mom!
About to land (with me on board)!
This song played on the radio the morning he soloed. He was 16. It was a very special day: 7-07-2007!
“I pray that God will fill your heart with dreams,
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things.
I’m here for you whatever this life brings.
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings.
“It’s not living if you don’t reach for the sky
I’ll have tears as you take off
But I’ll cheer you as you fly
PS: In the same way, you raise your daughter who needs more courage, and abilities to uphold morals and standards, and to honor God and keep faith strong. No difference. Both girls and boys need to learn these things.
Brain Starvation: Could Boys Be Suffering?
Boys Think, See, Hear & Process Very Differently Than Girls
Boys Are Moldable: Raising Them To Be Competent, Hard-Working & Masculine
“So let my love give you roots and help you find your wings.” – Mark Harris
“When I was a boy in my father’s house, still tender, and an only child of my mother, he taught me and said, “Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live. Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.” ~Proverbs 1: 3-6
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