The Wonder of Boys

I have three brothers and yet, somehow, I never did *get* boys. Men. Whatever. Their behavior was inexplicable. I never got what made them tick. Until I read this book. At the time I was a "teacher" of two year olds at a liscensed daycare. This book totally transformed my understanding of boys and why they do what they do and allowed me to relate to those little guys in ways that were productive beyond my wildest dreams.

I learned that banging things together, or against other things is normal for boys, and letting them do it was OK. I'll never, ever forget one little two year old boy in the daycare started to push the truck he was playing with into the wall, over and over. He wasn't being violent, just a being a little boy. He couldn't hurt the wall or the toy with what he was doing. Before I'd read the book, I'd have stopped him. Because I had read the book, I let him be a little boy. He looked at me while he was doing it, gauging my reaction. I can't remember exactly what I did, but I think it was rather non committal in nature, at least I'm fairly certain. A few minutes later he was at my knee, looking deep into my eyes, giving me the happiest, hugest smile. I'd seen him for who and what he was, a darling little boy who just had to bang stuff together for a little bit. And he knew it. He adored me from that moment on because I met him where he was.

There are definite limits, of course. You can't let kids run amok or hurt themselves, others, or their surroundings. But learning what is and is not appropriate behavior for children according to their age and gender lets you pick your battles and the end result is emotionally and mentally strong, healthy kids.

I read this book because I heard the author interviewed when the book came out. He seriously impressed me. I think anything written by him deserves a chance.

Anhata
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