Raising Godly Boys Minute

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#1239: Detours Sep 04, 2026

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Detour ahead!
As you drive down the highway, you’ll encounter many road signs. But one of the most annoying is the detour.
When our plans of traveling to our destination are hindered, we grow frustrated by the delay and inconvenience.
But detours don’t only happen on the highway. The parenting journey also has them. Perhaps you love football, but your son doesn’t. Maybe he likes to read, but you’d rather wrestle with him.
Whatever the detour to your original plans and expectations, take comfort in knowing that God is in control. That detour that you find so annoying and frustrating may be the very thing God uses to accomplish his will in the future. Above all, trust God’s guidance even when you cannot see where life’s road is taking you or your son.
For more encouragement and parenting advice, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#1238: Words Matter Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

How do you talk to your son?
When Cynthia’s son was little, she frequently called him pet names, like “Bubs.” One day, when her son was twelve, he said “Please don’t call me that anymore.” Cynthia was surprised, but then later, she understood. Her son was becoming a man, and wanted to be treated as such.
Follow Cynthia’s lead– when your son becomes a preteen, drop any childlike nicknames and begin to refer to him as a young man, not a boy.
Pediatrician Dr. Meg Meeker also suggests using phrases such as “I like the way you think” and “You sure are a good brother.” Affirm who your son is, rather than what he does, and you will build him up even more than you realize.
For more ideas for raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#1237: Walk and Talk Sep 02, 2026

Show notes

Here’s a parenting strategy to try with your son…try the “walk and talk.”
When you need to address a behavior or share some difficult news, it can be tempting to lecture your son. But if you sit him down, look him in the eye, and start talking, your boy will probably avert his eyes and lose focus.
Try this instead. Lace up your walking shoes, put the dog on its lead, and take your son for a long walk around your neighborhood. As you walk, calmly talk, with short and to-the-point sentences.
Psychologists have found that while women prefer face-to-face interaction, men actually listen much more effectively when they are doing a shoulder-to-shoulder activity.
So skip the lecture, and head outside. Your son will thank you.
For more ideas for raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#1236: Thought Gremlins Sep 01, 2026

Show notes

Does your son have a gremlin?
An author named Rick Carson created a metaphor out of the destructive creatures from the popular 80s movie. He suggests that negative thoughts are like gremlins– destroying our self esteem.
With the rates of depression continuing to rise for young men today, it’s safe to assume that our sons struggle with their own thought-gremlins. So what can we do to help them “tame the beast,” so to speak?
Proverbs 23:7 reminds us that, “as someone thinks within himself, so he is.” First, model positive self-talk. When you mess up, instead of saying, “I am dumb,” say, “I need to work on that.” And memorize scripture with your son that reminds him of his identity in Christ. Jeremiah 1:5 is a great place to start.
To learn about the five critical needs of boys, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#1235: Teen Sons and Moms Aug 31, 2026

Show notes

Does your son need you?
When Christina’s son turned 12, he stopped talking and sharing things with her and, instead, went to his dad for advice. Christina wondered if she would ever feel close to her son again.
But moms like Christina don’t need to worry. This separation is not only common, but necessary. Teen boys focus all of their energies on watching their dad, or dad-like figures in their life, in order to see what it truly means to be a man.
If that healthy detachment from mom is successful, young men are very likely to return to their moms in young adulthood and re-establish a great relationship.
So moms, don’t be afraid to let go. In the teen years, your son needs to not need you.
For ideas on raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#1234: Scripture Memory Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

Have you tried this Scripture memory trick with your son?
Every boy has a different learning style– auditory, visual, kinesthetic, or reading and writing. You don’t have to know exactly what category your son falls into. The key is to simply use each learning style to memorize the verse together.
Listen to the verse through a Bible reading app. Look up the verse in a physical Bible. Make up simple hand motions for each word of the verse. Then, have your boy write out the verse each day. Don’t forget to memorize the reference, as well!
If you use this method consistently with your son, you should be able to memorize a verse a week together.
For more ideas on raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#1233: Minifridge Aug 27, 2026

Show notes

Here’s a parenting tip: buy a mini fridge.
As your son enters his teenage years, he will begin to spend more time with his friends than with you. It’s a normal part of development. But there is something that can draw any teenage boy and his friends back to your home every single time– snacks!
Buy an inexpensive mini fridge and put it in a gathering area of your home, like a back deck or a basement. Stock it with snacks, waters, and sodas, and tell your son that it’s there for him and his friends.
It’s about more than just filling their stomachs. It’s about cultivating a place where your son is safe to fellowship with friends and navigate the challenges of the teen years.
For more ideas on raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#1232: Ladder of Success Aug 26, 2026

Show notes

Maybe, all your son needs is a ladder.
Every day in school, Phillip, an 8-year-old, would rebelliously refuse to complete any assignments. One day, a teacher realized that Phillip had a passion for ladders and construction. A small ladder was located. Phillip began sitting on that ladder every day during school, and to everyone’s amazement, started learning and completing his assignments.
That ladder gave Phillip what every young boy craves– respect and autonomy. If your son is struggling with behavior issues, take the time to learn what he likes. Then, give him appropriate levels of freedom, such as letting him pick what chore he would like to do.
When your son feels like his thoughts and feelings matter, he will begin to be more successful in all areas of his life.
To learn about the 5 critical needs of boys, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#1231: Grass is Greener Aug 25, 2026

Show notes

Are you watering your son’s lawn?
In their famous book, called Boundaries, Dr. John Townsend and Henry Cloud give this analogy. When you don’t teach your teenage son responsibility, it’s like your son is your neighbor who doesn’t water his own lawn. But your sprinkler waters both your lawn and your boy’s lawn, so your son enjoys a green yard without any effort on his part.
Letting your son face natural consequences in life is crucial for his success as an adult. While it may be difficult to watch your son struggle due to bad choices, he will quickly learn that hard work brings not only success, but deep satisfaction. Let go, and give your son the skills he needs to keep his own lawn green.
For more ideas for raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

#1230: Get Some Sleep Aug 24, 2026

Show notes

Let’s be honest– the behavior of teen boys can be baffling! But what if there’s a simple reason for their baffling behavior?
When your son is mean to his sister, irritable about his homework, and disrespectful to you, stop and ask yourself– is he just tired? He may be staying up too late playing video games, or getting up incredibly early for swim practice. Researchers have found that, when children don’t get enough sleep, they have shorter attention spans, worse grades, and bad attitudes.
Help your son out. Implement a family nighttime routine that involves turning off screens, taking a walk, and doing a quiet activity like reading. You may wake up to a much better-behaved teen in the morning.
To learn about raising godly boys, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

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