I'm always on the lookout for more sage advice on bringing up boys. I stumbled upon this in the public library last week and have devoured it. There's a lot of the "same old stuff" but some new tidbits that I have definitely filed away.
My favorite part of the whole book was this prayer that was quoted from the book The Wonder of Boys by Michael Gurian. (another fantastic book)
"Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.
Build me a son whose wishes will not take the place of deeds; a son who will know Thee--and that to know himself is the foundation of knowledge.
Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge. Here let him learn to stand up in the storm; here let him learn compassion for those who fail.
Build me a son whose heart will be clear, whose goals will be high; a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men; one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.
And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor, so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously. Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of true greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, and the weakness of true strength.
Then, I will dare to whisper, 'I have not lived in vain.'"
~GENERAL DOUGLAS MACARTHUR
This is my prayer for my three sons. How grateful I am that I am not in this alone!
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