Well I've just finished reading Raising Boys by Steve Biddulph. Wow, what a massive source of information. I'll be the first to admit that when I found out I was having a boy one of my first thoughts (after the obvious joy and happiness!!) was "what on earth do you do with a boy?!? I stumbled across Raising Boys in the bookshop and have been engrossed in it ever since.

Has anyone else read it? What did you think? How has it related to your sons?

I bought that when we had Noah - and now I have 2 boys

I thought it was a fantastic book and I guess as my boys get older I think that it will help me be a better mother for them....

Already Noah has become less of a mummies boy and likes to hang out with his dad outside or in the shed I miss being the priority in his life

I have read it over and over again...and might read it again...it is alot of info to take in...

lol, I told hubby last night that I wasn't happy that Ry's attention was going to shift! Is is a hell of a lot of info, I felt like getting back into my study days and taking notes from it! There are some scary stats in there.... I feel like my eyes are open now to so many issues I just hadn't considered before. Has your hubby read it too?

I read it and I thought it was great. I come from a long line of girls (I have a sister, my mum is an only child, my grandmother has a sister, my greatgrandmother has a sister) and was a bit lost about what boys need, so it was a good read. The bits about rough-play in particular have resonated around here - Oliver loves to be thrown in the air, rolled around on the bed, hung upside down and tickled, and he is already showing signs of climbing. He is very active, much more than I ever was as a child. I expect I will refer to it again and again as he grows. Its the only parenting book I've bought so far.

No hubby hasn't read it Has your hubby read it???

So tempting to take notes hey....actually I might start reading it again tonight I always take in a little more information each time I read it!

I saw this in a bookstore the other day and thought I must get a copy, thanks for reminding me!

I's amazing the amount of 'rough' play Levi loves, we roll him over and over, he loves to be "scruffed up", and his absolute favourite thing is to be hung upside down- he launches himself upside down off your lap.

And what do you mean attention shift?? There had better not be anymore of that, thank you very much. As soon as DH comes home I'm not even remotely interesting anymore, and now snuggles up to his Daddy all night!! I dont think I can handle much more rejection

I've told my hubby he's reading it if he wants to or not Actually he is keen to read this one, he passed on Baby Love and all that type of stuff but is quite keen to get his hands on this. I think he wants to compare what it says to his own experiences

It took me ages to read....I'd get through one chapter, sit there and think it through for a while, and then turn back and read it again, getting something new that I missed the first time round!

I hadn't even thought of the whole sex talk issue....it's interesting he advises to do the puberty celebration thing. What do you guys think of that?

wow sounds really interesting... how much does it goes for retail??

im only 21 weeks but i just found out it was a boy when i was sure it was going to be a girl!! so i feel a lil lost about how to raise a boy!

I'd recommend it 100%. It has honestly taught me sooo much and like I said above, opened my eyes to issues I hadn't even thought about.

And yep, hate to say it but we pretty much have them until they are 6 and then the focus goes onto Dad as they 'learn how to be male'! Bugger hey




About $25 for memory. A bargain if you ask me!

There is another book along the same type of lines called "He'll be OK". Has anyone read that one?

Oh, and as a side note I was told Steve Biddulph quite often travels around giving lectures that you can go along to.

Oh this is a must for me.............I am going to buy it this week

Good move Then come back in here and tell me your thoughts!

Will do

I too would highly recommend this book - we were given it as a gift when Hugh was born. I read it when he was a newborn but haven't read it since - I really should pull it out again and give it another read - found it very insightful.

I've also been to a couple of seminars on raising boys by Ian something (can't remember his name) which were also very good.

I asked DH if he would read the book but he said he wouldn't because it was all common sense to him and he knew how to raise a boy because he is one Men!

Sounds interesting. I think I'll pick up a copy as well.

Yes Jenene you definitely need a copy. I think Rach needs one too! (RachLee - she has 3 boys and Aria!)

It'd be interesting to see what someone who has older boys thinks of the book.

Its amazing as boys, really are boys! Finlay is into all the rough and tumble, climbing, wheels and trucks, etc. My 5 nieces are totally different to him, even my MIL commented how much of a boy he is compared to having 5 grand daughters and then a boy.

He sees and plays with things the girls never even looked at (like the castors under the fridge and wheels on a tool box!)

Ok - just googled his last name and it's Ian Lillico - this is his website link - it's more about boys and education but really interesting stuff

Ian Lillico Website

I found this

http://www.dymocks.com.au/ProductDetails/P...px?R=1876451505

I am going to get a copy (and make DH read it too )

My nan gave it to me when I had Lewey and I really really enjoyed it. I read bits of it out to DH who agreed with a lot of what it was saying, I found it great to get that little bit of insight into what my boys are/will go through. I've already got a mentor picked out for them too

Oooh, I'm intrigued. I had heard of it but I've not read it. Might grab myself a copy, especially considering I have another boy on his way!

Thanks for reminding to buy this Lozzy - I remember seeing the author on tv a while ago and thought he had some interesting points.

My husband bought it for me while i was in my 'freak out' stage about having a boy.

I really valued it- there is so much good stuff in there, practical ideas. I probably got the most of the education bit, we've totally changed the way we look at his schooling opportunities and have started researching options already to make sure that our boy/man gets the very best!

I would recomend it to anyone with boys

My Dad is a principal and swears by this book! He bought us a copywhen Henry was born. I have read little bits but really need to get back into it.

I have this book and really found it a good read. I bought it when Isaac was a baby, and over the years so much of it has really turned out to be very true and useful. Especially the shift away from mother after about 6 years of age or so, towards other male role models. Wow does that ever happen. He still loves his mummy and wants to be with me, but he REALLY seeks out male attention and togetherness, and men to model off. So it is so important that he has a lot of decent adult males to turn to. It is like he wants me for different things though, there is guy stuff, then there is mummy stuff!

I also find Dr Phils "Family First" a very good book. Yes I know I love Dr Phil, but seriously, it is excellent for really working on yourself and your family, and making life smoother and happier for all.

I've skimmed throught this in the library. I didn't get it out as I'm sure it said somewhere that girls and boys were pretty similar as babies.... I have read a gazzillions books on parenting. I can't get enough!! Next time I go though I'm going to check it out.
I'm from a female dominated family too - sister, Mum, aunts, cousins and nieces...so I was a bit worried about "what to do with a boy" too!
In a way a boy suits me and hubby better as we are 100 times more likely to go to the rugby, surf, sail or watch tennis on TV that shop! I've been thinking lately that I'm glad I have Harry as I would have had WAY too many expectations of a girl (I did really want a girl too)... whereas I just let Harry be Harry.
He loves the rough and tumble too and is SO rough with the other MG babies...he'll grab them by a shoulder and pull them over...or bat at them. He is also big so is already proving to be 'boy'. I love it.

You have reminded me to go back and read the whole book . I only read the baby bit at the beginning. I was impressed with that part though.

I will have to read this book!! I have 2 boys and come from a family with only females all down the line...I never grew up with males but Dad got me into all the sports etc so boys are great for me...

Sam isnt the rough and tumble like Max is so I havent really thought boys were that different...but Max has turned that one around..

I just love my boys..they just adore their Daddy...but I still get my wonderful hugs

I am really interested to read what this book has to say!

We have it! LOL I bought it for DH when our first son was born. He read it cover to cover....but I've never read it (Why did I think it was a book for Fathers????) I'll have to ask him where it is.

I thought the positive male role model stuff was very interesting and its something we will be keeping in mind as Oliver grows up. I don't remember the bit about celebrating puberty, I might have to have another flick through tomorrow and refresh my memory.

I've been looking at this book in the stores for months, but wasn't sure whether to get it or not. Now that there's all these good comments, I'll grab a copy.

Harrison is the same with the rough and tumble, he loves being thrown around, flipped over, upside down, bouncing and he's just so rough and loud, always banging and hitting things, he's such a typical boy! It's amazing seeing the difference between him and friends' babies with girls.