Stop saying my son needs to toughen up.
First of all, he’s five. He’s far too young to be subjected to your narrow-minded stereotypes and ill-informed ideas. Secondly, and most importantly, he’s perfect just the way he is.
You see his sensitivity as weakness, as something a little time spent hunting or throwing a football can extinguish. I see it as precious, like the time he insisted on putting his arm around my shoulders as I sobbed on the couch after finding out I’d miscarried his younger sibling. I see it as sweet, like the way he’s content to hold and sing to his newborn sister for far longer than most kids his age would be.
You see his cautious nature as weakness, too, as if he’s one hesitation away from wilting like a delicate flower. I see it as intelligence; he’s bright enough to think through the potential consequences of his actions. I don’t want him to grow up fearing the world around him, but I also refuse to dismiss his concerns and anxieties. They’re part of who he is and I won’t try to frighten them out of him.
I don’t know when I first began to notice the implication from others, often from well-meaning family members, that my firstborn needed to toughen up. The comments didn’t bother me much at first, I guess because it seemed like such a silly thing to say about such a young child.
As he grew older, though, the comments became more frequent and more pointed. A little playing with his rough-and-tumble cousins and he’ll be toughened up in no time. He’s so cute, but we just need to toughen him up. He’ll get a little tougher as he gets older.
Why? Why is it necessary for my son to be tough? Or, more accurately, why is it necessary for him to conform to your outdated definition of “tough”? Is it because he isn’t “boy” enough? Is it because you fear the slightest hint of anything less than masculinity means he’s gay (that’s another tangent for another time)?
That’s the thing, though. He is a boy. If there were some sort of absurd checklist for what makes a boy, he would tick nearly every box: His favorite color is blue, he’s obsessed with dinosaurs, and he’s perfectly happy letting me choose his clothes. He doesn’t care much for superheroes, but he’s currently in love with American Ninja Warrior. He’s loved vehicles of all kinds, specifically construction equipment, since before he could talk. If you want to see how he stacks up against his male peers, I think he’d do pretty well.
But that begs the question again: why does he need to be compared? Why does he need to be any different than just the way he is? I’ll consider it one hundred percent a victory if my caring and helpful little boy grows into a caring and helpful man. Raising an athlete or an outdoorsman has never been something I’ve aimed for.
Don’t even get me started on the double standard for girls. My daughter could roll around in mud, get into a fist fight, and try out for the football team, and people would applaud the cute little barrier-breaking tomboy. So why, then, is my son expected to meet such an inane set of expectations derived from what society deems “boy”?
I’ll be the first one to admit the kid knows how to throw a fit, but the solution to whining isn’t to toughen up, it’s to grow up. To literally stop being five, because throwing fits and expressing emotion in immature ways are pretty much textbook behaviors for five-year-olds. I have a four-year-old who can hold her own in the fit department; maybe she just needs to toughen up, too?
Admittedly, there are times I long for him to be more adventurous. I wish he wasn’t afraid to learn how to ride a bike, and I wish he wasn’t scared to go down even the smallest slides at the water park. I believe it’s completely possible to gently encourage him to step outside his comfort zone without dragging him against his will. Helping conquer those fears isn’t about toughening him up, it’s about working through his anxieties and overcoming them together. If he decides he feels brave enough, great. If he spends the whole day in the wave pool, I won’t love him any less and I won’t waste time brainstorming ideas to make him more manly.
Please, just stop. Every moment you spend attempting to mold him to fit your own expectations is a moment you aren’t enjoying him for the intelligent, sweet, fun boy that he is. He deserves to be allowed to be exactly who he is. Please let him.
I had a similar thing happen with my 4 year old- scared to try any new thing. But it finally came with time- we weren’t worried cause his pediatrician wasn’t worried about anything.
Yes, the comparisons need to stop.
Unfortunately not sure how this will happen… I guess just start with us, huh? 🙂
I’m glad we aren’t alone. You’re right: It does start with us, with us putting an end to the comparisons and with us speaking up about it.
“Secondly, and most importantly, he’s perfect just the way he is.” I think that about sums it up. Good for you for sharing this. He’s a lucky boy to have such a supportive mama.
Thank you, Mary Leigh! I’m doing my best.
Beautiful Abby!
Thanks, friend! I almost didn’t know it was you without the angel_cupcake email address. 🙂
Yes! I agree. Totally with you. Thank you for sharing this.
Thanks, Josalyn! I was hoping it would find its way to a few people who needed to read or share it.
I have a son with anxiety. I have had my parenting critiqued his whole life. Parents should adapt to their children, not the other way around. Children do not fit in a box.
Enjoy your son. Keep letting him be him and all will be well. Go Mama!!
Thank you for the encouraging words, Tracey, and good for you for parenting your son your own way.
This is a such a great post! Everyone is different. My son was very caring and sensitive when he was young and he has grown into a wonderful caring and sensitive young adult. I’m sure your son will too . AND the world can certainly use a few more people like that anyway!
Thank you, Anne! You totally proved my point: Why wouldn’t we want our sons to be sensitive, caring boys who grow into sensitive, caring men?
I love this. You go, momma! Seems like your son is a very sweet, thoughtful, considerate and compassionate child that makes the world a whole lot brighter!
Thanks, friend! He definitely makes our world brighter. 🙂
I love this so much! My son is far too adventurous and tough sometimes (we’ve been to the ER 3 times in his first 18 months of life) but, even so, I get judgmental comments from others when he does something sensitive. He is a nurturer so he loves dolls and stuffed animals but I’ve got some negative looks and comments when people see him loving on dolls and it makes me want to punch them in the face. Your son needs to be himself and people need to mind their own business! And gentle and sensitive boy is nothing to be upset about!
Thank you, Susannah! I’ll never understand the problem people have with little boys being nurturers. He’s emulating my husband, who is the most hands-on dad I know. What’s wrong with that? As cautious as he is, he’s broken two bones already, so maybe he’s tougher than everyone thinks.
Beautifully written.
Thank you, Suzy! I spent many months composing the words in my mind.
My oldest is cautious as well, like his momma he is a control freak, when he can’t control things he errs on the side of caution. 🙂
I definitely understand where you are coming from. 🙂
Thank you, Rebekah! Mine definitely gets his caution from me and his tender heart from his dad (who, in my opinion, turned out pretty great).
Thanks so much for posting this. I really needed to hear it.
Thanks for stopping by! I’m glad my words found you at the right time.