Another wonderful post and something that has been on top of mind for me with my son as he is inherently a little more shy then most and I often have many conversations with him about learning how to make friends. The prevailing issue with him always centers around conflict resolution. I am blessed with a son that has an extraordinary kind and thoughtful heart and he snuggles with why that is not always reciprocated back to him from other friends and classmates. I often use your example that you provided that "iron sharpens iron" but to help him understand what this means , I show him that the blades won't get sharper unless friction is applied to both surfaces. I try to teach him the best way I can that those moments of friction is where you develop the qualities patience and long suffering with people. And admittedly, I find its still challenging to also create the frame work creating healthy boundaries.
Thank you for today's thought reflection, David. I do appreciate you and your efforts in creating this community.
Thank you so much for reading and for taking the time to share this. Your son sounds like a truly sweet, thoughtful boy...the kind of heart this world needs more of.
I really appreciated how you reflected on the iron sharpens iron idea and translated it into something tangible for your son. That insight...that growth and patience are often formed in moments of friction is such a wise way to help a child make sense of relational disappointment without hardening his heart. And you’re right: holding that tension while also teaching healthy boundaries is one of the hardest parts of parenting.
Reading your note also reminded me of something a "one-room schoolhouse" entrepreneur once shared with me: that for introverted, precocious, or soft-spoken children, friendships across different age groups can sometimes be more life-giving than same-age peer dynamics alone. There’s often a natural rhythm ("I’ll care for the younger kids; I’ll respect the older ones") that reflects the real world more closely and can feel safer and more affirming for kids like your son.
Thank you again for your generosity in sharing this, and for the care you’re clearly taking in how you guide your son. I’m grateful you’re part of this community.
Excellent post, David. As my friend and as you've seen my littles on Zoom more often than not you can guess how I already resonate with this.
I inherited a gift from my mother I can make fast friends with strangers quite easily. But it genuinely comes from my interest and love for people. When I was a pastor it was a necessity and as a father it is a bit of a superpower. Because I believe friendships are family you choose and relationships are the single greatest investment you can make. I honestly try to mirror that to my children because I how love my neighbors is paramount to my living example of my faith.
Proverbs 17:17 "a friend loves at all times and a brother is born for a time of adversity".
I'm glad to call you my friend, David, and brother in Christ.
Another wonderful post and something that has been on top of mind for me with my son as he is inherently a little more shy then most and I often have many conversations with him about learning how to make friends. The prevailing issue with him always centers around conflict resolution. I am blessed with a son that has an extraordinary kind and thoughtful heart and he snuggles with why that is not always reciprocated back to him from other friends and classmates. I often use your example that you provided that "iron sharpens iron" but to help him understand what this means , I show him that the blades won't get sharper unless friction is applied to both surfaces. I try to teach him the best way I can that those moments of friction is where you develop the qualities patience and long suffering with people. And admittedly, I find its still challenging to also create the frame work creating healthy boundaries.
Thank you for today's thought reflection, David. I do appreciate you and your efforts in creating this community.
Thank you so much for reading and for taking the time to share this. Your son sounds like a truly sweet, thoughtful boy...the kind of heart this world needs more of.
I really appreciated how you reflected on the iron sharpens iron idea and translated it into something tangible for your son. That insight...that growth and patience are often formed in moments of friction is such a wise way to help a child make sense of relational disappointment without hardening his heart. And you’re right: holding that tension while also teaching healthy boundaries is one of the hardest parts of parenting.
Reading your note also reminded me of something a "one-room schoolhouse" entrepreneur once shared with me: that for introverted, precocious, or soft-spoken children, friendships across different age groups can sometimes be more life-giving than same-age peer dynamics alone. There’s often a natural rhythm ("I’ll care for the younger kids; I’ll respect the older ones") that reflects the real world more closely and can feel safer and more affirming for kids like your son.
Thank you again for your generosity in sharing this, and for the care you’re clearly taking in how you guide your son. I’m grateful you’re part of this community.
Excellent post, David. As my friend and as you've seen my littles on Zoom more often than not you can guess how I already resonate with this.
I inherited a gift from my mother I can make fast friends with strangers quite easily. But it genuinely comes from my interest and love for people. When I was a pastor it was a necessity and as a father it is a bit of a superpower. Because I believe friendships are family you choose and relationships are the single greatest investment you can make. I honestly try to mirror that to my children because I how love my neighbors is paramount to my living example of my faith.
Proverbs 17:17 "a friend loves at all times and a brother is born for a time of adversity".
I'm glad to call you my friend, David, and brother in Christ.