how to be a man

7 Ways to Equip Your Son for Manhood

As fathers, it is important that we keep a close watch on the ways we speak and behave, especially when teaching our sons how to be a man. Without realizing it, we are role models for our kids. Their minds are trained to observe behaviors, especially the behaviors of those closest to them. They notice the way you treat and talk to their mother, your involvement in your community, how you handle a personal crisis, and how you deal with professional problems. It is said that children learn more what is caught rather than what is taught. Keeping that in mind, here are 7 behaviors you need to teach your sons to equip them for manhood.

 1. Be a Gentleman

It is important for fathers to teach their sons to be gentlemen. This means teaching your son to have good manners. You can do this by: teaching him to give people their full attention, teaching the importance of writing thank you notes when someone does something nice, teaching him to open doors for others, teaching him to always walk on the street side when he is with a lady, and lastly, teaching him to have a firm handshake while making eye contact.

2. Be Respectful

It is important for fathers to teach their sons to respect others. This can be hard for sons to do because let’s be honest, your sons are not going to like every person they meet. However, this still doesn’t give them an excuse to be disrespectful. Sons need to be taught to respect those who are in authority of them not because of what they do, but because of their positions.

3. Be Responsible

It is important for fathers to teach their sons to be responsible and own up to their actions. We, as parents, do not always have to come to our son’s rescue. It is okay for fathers to let their kids fail because failure teaches them to take responsibility for their actions and consequences.

 4. Be Selfless

It is important for fathers to teach their sons to serve others because it is said that we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. Fathers can do this by encouraging their sons to help around the house, their neighborhood, and community. Give your sons chores around the house, encourage them to be blessings to their neighbors, and have them volunteer at community service projects.

 5. Be Generous

It is important for fathers to teach their sons the importance of being givers. Givers are value adders and what father doesn’t want their sons to add value to those around them? You can do this by creating three mason jars and writing on them: Saving, Spending, and Sharing. At the end of the week when your sons receive their allowances, have them distribute the money into these three jars. This will help them focus on giving while also teaching them the importance of handling finances.

 6. Be Different

It is important to teach our sons to be different. Most kids want to fit in and there is nothing wrong with having this desire. However, if you want your son to become a great leader one day, you need to teach him that it is good to be different. To do this, he needs to feel accepted by those closest to him. Let your son know that you love him not because of his performance, but because of who he is as a man.

It is important for fathers to teach their sons to be responsible and own up to their actions.

 7. Be Honest

It is important for you to teach your sons to be honest. Honesty is the first chapter of the book of wisdom. So many parents are quick to punish and scold their kids when they lie, but few are quick to reward honesty. We need to change this because when honesty is rewarded, your son’s confidence to always speak the truth will increase.