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Development Topics
Stay Close to Your Child
How Moms Can Stay Close to Their Sons
Researchers at Harvard University
have discovered that early bonding between mothers and sons is vital
to the latter’s physical health — even 40 or 50 years later. College men who said they had not enjoyed a close relationship with their mothers were twice as likely to develop coronary artery disease, hypertension, duodenal ulcers and alcoholism by midlife.
If you didn’t grow up with brothers, says Dr. James Dobson, don’t be shocked by the sheer physicality of boys. He recommends the following:
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Get your son involved in active sports where fighting, laughing,
running, tumbling and yelling are acceptable. Active sports include
soccer, baseball, football, karate and the perennial favorite — wrestling
with Dad.
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Don’t let your son get bored.
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Keep your son out in the open where you can see him!
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Remember that your son isn’t listening most of the time. Tip:
Reach out physically and touch him to get his attention. When your
son looks
at you, give him a short message.
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Don’t feel rejected or wounded if your son begins to pull away from you sometime between 15 and 36 months of age. This developmental process is normal and necessary. Even though boys can be defiant during that period, and dads might be able to handle them a bit better, it’s
still essential for moms to discipline and civilize their sons.
Do you have thoughts, questions, advice on this topic? Post your stories and comments in the forum for other parents to respond to. Enter the forum now.
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