52 Things Sons Need from Their Moms

This book is literally a Godsend. Every mother should read this! I'm a single mom of a 3 year old, whose dad left while I was pregnant, and it's embarrassing how often I start to panic about being a single mom, feeling so inadequate, lost, and unsure. This book opened my eyes to some of the ways I can make my son's life more steady and supportive. I've already re-read it once, and intend on reading it again each year to remind myself of little things I can do to make my son understand just how much of a treasure and blessing he is to me. Seriously, if you are a mom, BUY THIS. It will change your life (and, if you're anything like me, it will make you cry more than a few times too).

Great book for all moms of boys. Most things she writes about apply to both genders but definitely useful in thinking through and implementing ways to address the heart issue behind behavior and help us as mothers to be proactive in caring for their hearts and our own.

Really a great, easy-to-read book. We have one daughter, and I can relate some of this to her, as well.

I have ordered this book for 3 friends because I love it that much!

A must have and read!

If you could buy only one book on parenting over the course of your career as a mom, what would it be? If you’re the mother of sons, here’s what I’d recommend: Angela Thomas’ 52 THINGS SONS NEED FROM THEIR MOMS.This might be the single best parenting book on raising boys that I have ever read. In fact, when I first saw the title, I thought that its contents would be along the lines of activities you need to do with your boys: camping, flying kites, shooting hoops, and so on. Instead, Thomas delves deeper. She goes way beyond the physical things we do with our sons, to the things that they need to learn, the qualities we must kindle in them, the priorities we have to pursue as mothers.I have to admit that when I realized that this was more of a book about my life and choices as a parent rather than a list of fun activities I could partake in with my son, I was overwhelmed. But it didn’t take much reading of this incredible book to recognize that Thomas approaches her readers the way a beloved mentor or wiser, more experienced friend would. She doesn’t give us a list of things that the “perfect” mom would do. Instead, she has written a year’s worth (if you read a chapter per week) of thoughtful and loving reflections of what she believes are vital for moms raising boys.What do our boys need from us? Here are some of Thomas’ thoughts, and some of my favorite chapters, from a list where it’s hard to pick the best ones:Teach Him to Wait His TurnTeach Him How to Treat All WomenTeach Him to Be Hipster (in the Best Possible Way)Teach Him to Shine in the DarkRemain Steady When He DoubtsMake Home the Safest PlaceThere wasn’t a chapter in this book that didn’t have something encouraging or empowering to say to me. But there were two very meaningful chapters that actually contained things I could describe as motherhood epiphanies. In the first one, Thomas reminds us to give up on being perfect and to be the best moms we can be at this very minute; to know that even though we ourselves are imperfect, we are still our boys’ moms --- and can joyfully live that out today. In the other, we’re prompted to lead our boys confidently while we apologize humbly. We don’t have to overwhelm them with so many choices that they begin to feel responsible for things on which we can be the deciding voice. We aren’t always going to get it right, and when we don’t or they don’t, we can apologize with humility or forgive lovingly. It’s so important for our boys to know that we can seek to lead them wisely and ask for forgiveness when we don’t.I can’t tell you how greatly this book has impacted me --- as a mom, a woman and a Christian. In our home, we’re leaving the elementary years behind and moving into the teen years. And all the parenting skills that I thought I had down pat are being challenged; as our son matures, I am the one who needs to change, to enable him to freely grow and spread his own wings. Thomas’ beautiful and useful book has come alongside me at a time when I needed wise counsel for parenting. While it has been so timely for me as the mother of a teen boy, it would be just as excellent for moms of younger boys.I know I’ll return to 52 THINGS SONS NEED FROM THEIR MOMS again and again for strength, encouragement and wisdom. I’m sure you will as well!Reviewed by Melanie Reynolds

Parenting book ALL MOMS SHOULD READ! I absolutely love this. It is how I strive to raise my boys and I love reading this confirmation with new ideas. Raising our kids is not about making sure the stay in the lines or else we crack the whip. It's understanding why they would step outside the lines and looking at the heart to see what's wrong. It's focusing on what's happening inside. Are their eyes happy and full of life? Are they in love with Jesus? Or, are they scared that you will freak out if they mess up? Are they disconnected from you when their friends are over, or do they want you around?It's so important to raise our kids to be connected to us and to God. The only way to do that is through being open in our weaknesses and using those to teach our kids life lessons, plus, a LOT of prayer! If my walk with God isn't what it should be, that sets the tone for our whole household.This is such an easy to read, wow moment type of book. I love it! Please pick up a copy for yourself and a friend!! This should be in the hands of every momma!!Thank you, netgalley, for this awesome read. As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!

So many sweet stories fill the pages of this book-each serving as a reminder to moms that what we do matters. These 52 "things" are not a list of unobtainable goals, but instead encouraging ideas for mothers of all ages on how to be more intentional about parenting, make the most of the blessings of motherhood and love our boys well. This book was a precious gift to me; one I intend to give to many others.