How do we raise boys who are emotionally strong, empathetic, and accountable for their actions?
In this episode of Connected Parenting, Jennifer explores why raising emotionally healthy boys goes beyond teaching good behaviour. From family expectations and peer influences to cultural messages about masculinity, boys are constantly learning which emotions are acceptable to express and which ones should be hidden. Jennifer explains why helping boys recognize and name feelings like sadness, fear, jealousy, shame, and rejection is essential for developing emotional regulation, empathy, and healthy relationships.
From learning to respect another person's “no” to managing rejection without becoming aggressive or defensive, this episode explores how we can raise boys who are confident in themselves, considerate of others, and capable of navigating difficult emotions.
This is Part One of a two-part conversation about raising emotionally healthy boys and the men they will become, so please join again next week to hear Part Two.
Jennifer's Takeaways:
- The Societal Impact of Masculinity (00:01)
- Building Emotional Literacy in Boys (03:01)
- Mirroring and Naming Emotions (04:54)
- The Importance of Empathy (07:37)
- Connection and Accountability (11:52)
- Navigating Frustration and Boundaries (14:27)
Meet Jennifer Kolari
Jennifer Kolari is the host of the “Connected Parenting” weekly podcast and the co-host of “The Mental Health Comedy” podcast. Kolari is a frequent guest on Nationwide morning shows and podcasts in the US and Canada. Her advice can also be found in many Canadian and US magazines such as; Today’s Parent, Parents Magazine and Canadian Family.
Kolari’s powerful parenting model is based on the neurobiology of love, teaching parents how to use compassion and empathy as powerful medicine to transform challenging behavior and build children’s emotional resilience and emotional shock absorbers.
Jennifer’s wisdom, quick wit and down to earth style help parents navigate modern-day parenting problems, offering real-life examples as well as practical and effective tools and strategies.
Her highly entertaining, inspiring workshops are shared with warmth and humour, making her a crowd-pleasing speaker with schools, medical professionals, corporations and agencies throughout North America, Europe and Asia.
One of the nation’s leading parenting experts, Jennifer Kolari, is a highly sought- after international speaker and the founder of Connected Parenting. A child and family therapist with a busy practice based in San Diego and Toronto, Kolari is also the author of Connected Parenting: How to Raise A Great Kid (Penguin Group USA and Penguin Canada, 2009) and You’re Ruining My Life! (But Not Really): Surviving the Teenage Years with Connected Parenting (Penguin Canada, 2011).
