15 Lessons Sons Teach Us

"Don't wait to make your son a great man - make him a great boy."

Doesn't every parent want their son to grow into a great man?

As of today, Billy and I are eight years into the journey of parenting a boy, and we are still finding our way.  Of course, we already think our kid's pretty stinkin' awesome, but we often think he's taught us more than we've taught him.  In fact, we think these lessons are pretty universal.  I wonder if you'll agree...

1. Stay close to your siblings

Stay close to your siblings
Stay close to your siblings

2. Followship is as important as Leadership.

Followship
Followship

3. Entertain yourself.

Travel tips
Travel tips

4. Eat ice cream with reckless abandon, and don't worry about a messy face.

ice cream face
ice cream face

5. Embrace your talents - no matter what.

Toe in the ear
Toe in the ear

6. Silly faces improve pictures.

Ahhhh
Ahhhh

7. Laugh often. Laugh loudly. Ignore any "shushing" to the contrary.

J Joy
J Joy

8. Travel with friends.

What Sons Teach Us
What Sons Teach Us

8. Serve others.

What Sons Teach Us
What Sons Teach Us

9. Dogs really are your best friends!

What Sons Teach Us
What Sons Teach Us

10. Be ambitious!

What Sons Teach Us
What Sons Teach Us

11. Enjoy your food!

What Sons Teach Us
What Sons Teach Us

12. Have the right tools for the job.

What Sons Teach Us
What Sons Teach Us

12. Embrace your awesomeness!

What sons teach us
What sons teach us

13.  Dinosaurs are friendly

What sons teach us
What sons teach us

14. Boys + Slingshots = Happiness

What sons teach us
What sons teach us

15. Laugh with your whole face.

What sons teach us
What sons teach us

We have learned more from our boy than we could have ever imagined and experienced love beyond our wildest expectations.

Happy Birthday Big Man!