Dear Son at 16, These Are 25 Truths I Want You to Know

Inside: One day you wake up and your son is almost a man. Here are 25 important pieces of advice for my teenage son that I always want him to remember.

Dear teenage boy…This is where it starts.

This is your beginning. Are you ready?

I know I’m not. I’m scared as hell.

But whether we’re ready or not, it’s here.

There’s so much I want you to know, so much advice for my teenage son I want to share.

Just a little while ago, you were my baby. Tiny toes, soft hands, and a little body that nestled so easily in the crook of my arms.

And here you are, in the teenage years, becoming a man. Ever-growing feet, callused palms, a body that towers over me so that you can rest your chin atop my head when you wrap me up in your arms.

You are full of hormones and impulses, mood swings and body changes.

Related: How An Unexpected High School Class Brought My Teenage Son and I Closer

Yes, it’s a tough pill to swallow. But it’s ok because I know what’s in store for you. You are headed straight for the sweet spot. The best years of your life. These are the days you will reminisce upon for Always.

And I want you to live each moment to the fullest.

Here are 25 truths and advice for my teenage to son:

While I’m sure it’s going to be a blast, I also know it won’t always be easy. So, I want to offer some points to carry with you. ….Promise, sweet boy, promise to remember.

Look people in the eye when you speak.

Swing the bat… you might strike out, but you’re never gonna get a hit if you don’t take that swing. Contrary to popular belief, there IS crying in baseball.

Hold the door.

Laugh with your friends… Not at them.

Don’t ever lie to us. In the words of Mark Twain, “If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.”You are going to get in trouble. Of course, I know this is going to happen, and you need to know that every action has consequences. But remember that even when I have to slap you upside the head, I will always have your back.

Dear young man, this piece of advice is important. Keep all your promises, especially the ones you make to yourself.

The best way to get the girl is to make her laugh.

‘Likes’ on social media and the Internet are in no way a testament to how much you are liked.

Be kind, and always be willing to lend a listening ear.

Related: Dear Teen Son, Don’t Be in Such a Hurry To Become a Man

Confidence is crucial. Whether you fake it until you make it or feel it from day one. When you believe in yourself the world will too.

Saying you are sorry is not a sign of weakness. Real men apologize.

You’re never too old to play in the rain.

Respect your elders, but don’t put your faith in people older than you just because of their age.

Don’t get in the car if you don’t trust the driver.

You’re not the only one who’s anxious. Talk about it all. Your worries, angry feelings, loneliness, anxiety–anywhere it hurts.

Howl at the moon whenever it calls you. Keep seeking out adventures.

Admitting when you’ve made a mistake is not failure. The only way to fail is if you continue to make the same mistakes. Be your own person, but keep growing.

When it comes to girls, “Stop” is non-negotiable. Alcohol is never an excuse.

Nobody is a good drunk driver. It doesn’t matter how many times they’ve made it home unscathed.

Trust your gut when it comes to decision-making.

Family is Everything. Take care of your sister. Respect your mama. And aspire to be all that your father believes you can be.

There are going to be moments that make you feel invincible… Feel it… Really feel it… but promise me you’ll remember that you are mortal. Testing limits is okay, but some boundaries are there for a reason.

At sixteen you are going to be sure we are wrong. By twenty-six, you’ll realize we were right.

Not everyone was raised the way that you were. Others grow in different directions. But please remember, your roots were planted to ground you.

And even if you forget all of the points before, remember this… I will be here for you, Always. Things change, but I am your safe space.

That was a promise I made when I first held you in the crook of my arms and a promise I’ve intended to keep long after you’ve outgrown them.

Raising teenagers is hard. You may be interested in a few books that we love from authors we trust.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens (With Companion Workbook)Parenting Teen Boys in Today’s Challenging World: Proven Methods for Improving Teenagers Behaviour with Whole Brain Training (Parenting Teenagers)The Manual to Manhood: How to Cook the Perfect Steak, Change a Tire, Impress a Girl & 97 Other Skills You Need to SurviveHe’s Not Lazy: Empowering Your Son to Believe In HimselfGuy’s Guide to God, Girls, and the Phone in Your Pocket: 101 Real-World Tips for Teenaged GuysFrom Boys to Men: Guiding Our Boys to Grow into Happy, Healthy MenDecoding Boys: New Science Behind the Subtle Art of Raising Sons

 

This post originally appeared on the author’s Facebook page at Raise Her Wild.

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