Overall, an excellent primer on raising boys. I have two of them, 12 and 3 and I have already found some helpful stuff from this book. It has also helped my wife to better understand how our boys (and males, in general) think. ( )

This isn't one of those books that you sit down and read cover to cover, it's a reference manual that you find yourself going back to every few months.

I've found it useful not only in dealing with my 3-year-old son, but also with my husband, similar to the book "You Just Don't Understand" which is about the different ways men and women see things. ( )

Note: This book is by Christian authors from a Christian perspective; however, it is good enough overall to overlook such references if you're not Christian.

I have a girl and a boy and there's no doubt that there is a marked difference between the sexes. This book has helped me understand the mind of my boy; how he thinks and why his brain follows thought processes that sometimes seem to be so so impulsive and random to me at times.

James and Thomas break a boy's path from baby to adult into 5 stages. Then they break each stage of development into parts: The Way of a Boy, The Mind of a Boy, and The Heart of a Boy. Specific examples are given for situations you will encounter in each stage, followed by suggestions for responses that help boys understand themselves as well as guiding them towards behaviors that will aid them into becoming the young men we, as parents, hope they will. Finally, each chapter ends with a section on putting everything discussed into practice with your particular boy in your particular case.

This book will help the parent of any boy celebrate their sons and their unique qualities instead of being frustrated by it!

This book wasn't really for me. Which isn't to say that it's not well researched, well intentioned or well written. It just wasn't my sort of thing. I'm about to have my first baby, and he's a boy, so perhaps I'm not quite the intended audience. I also didn't realize I was receiving a book with Christian parenting advice, either. Had I realized that from the get go, I would have known it wasn't for me. It was generally subtle, but just having the slight Christian overtones was enough. I also realized that in the "nature vs. nurture" continuum, my own understanding of human beings slides much more to the side of "nurture" than it seems to do for the authors of this book. Still, it was not without it's moments. I laughed out loud at the description of how best to give directions to young boys....namely, using as few words as possible. My husband has told me the exact same thing about how he'd like me to let him know when I'd like HIM to do something. So, I wish the authors well, and hope readers value the book, but I won't be purchasing any copies for friends or families. ( )

In the classic children’s story Where the Wild Things Are, little Max goes through the life journey of a boy in one night. In this book, authors Steven James and David Thomas describe the steps a parent must take to help nurture a son into the best man his nature allows him to be. They follow the general path all boys take from Wanderer toddler to Warrior man, giving mothers, fathers, and caregivers suggestions on what will probably happen, good ways to respond, and lots of “This too shall pass” assurances.
These family therapists draw heavily on the “Love and Logic” parenting camp and rely heavily on anecdotal evidence for their work. Though they are Christian therapists, anyone who has some kind of religious belief can draw good suggestions from their writings (atheists, you’ll just have to skip over any mentions of God-the book is helpful enough to do so). They are somewhat understanding in discussing homosexuality, but for the most part, eschew the topic. With that, their discussions of masturbation and pornography, I’m sure there are plenty of people who will dislike this book, either because they are too conservative or too liberal. I think for a general parenting book, they struck a good balance. But, they also make so many points throughout the book to take what works for your son and ignore what doesn’t, it doesn’t feel like any of their suggestions on these topics need to be followed like dictates anyways.
Their descriptions of how boys act are general enough for me to see both my 5 year old autistic son in their descriptions, and my boyfriend’s normal 7 year old. But these general descriptions are also specific enough for me to find good suggestions for interacting with both boys.
I was appreciative of their chapter on boys and their mothers. It is rare that I read something for mothers that I consider that understanding and honest without being insulting or reprimanding.
Recommended for parents (foster parents, step parents-whatever) of boys, teachers, and daycare providers. ( )