How to Build a Lasting Mother-Son Bond: 4 Loving Tips

If you're the lucky mom to a sweet son, don't let anyone tell you that having a mama's boy is a bad thing! There are so many incredible opportunities to form bonds between the two of you. And if you tune in to your son's way of thinking, that connection will be even stronger.

Remember, our sons are human beings first and boys second. Gender doesn't define who a person is inside. But one thing is for sure: all of our children are growing up in a world that treats boys and girls differently. My goal is to speak to some of the common experiences many parents of boys share to help you raise a young man you can be proud of. Some of these may not ring true for every parent, and that's okay! I encourage you to honor your own unique experience with your son.

Here are four ways to deepen your relationship with the boy who holds your heartstrings!

1. Get into the groove of communicating with a boy

Some boys do a lot of communicating through their actions rather than their words. An over-tired 7-year-old boy may not tell you he's exhausted, let alone suggest going to bed early. Instead, he may jump on the couch, race down the hallway, or grab a ball and start throwing it around as you keep a nervous eye on the lamp or the beautiful vase on the hallway table. 

If your son is the silent type, tune in to his non-verbal communication from an early age.

If your 14-year-old son is suffering some emotional pain, he may retreat to his bedroom to be alone rather than pull up a stool at the kitchen island to talk it out. Or if he's excited about making the final cut for the baseball team, rather than immediately sharing the good news, he might head to the backyard with his ball and glove and process his achievement quietly.

When you have a child who doesn't verbally express feelings and needs, it's important to give him opportunities to talk rather than trying to pressure him into it. Kenneth Ginsburg, author of Raising Kids to Thrive and co-director of the Center for Parent and Teen Communication at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia shared this great advice:

When you feel like you have to dive in too deeply at every single moment, you might actually push your son away. You might go for a walk or go fishing or just be present, and after 30 minutes or three hours of silence, the nuggets will start coming out.

Kenneth Ginsburg, Six Ways Parents Can Stay Connected with Their Teen Sons

Parents need to be willing to...

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