The Cast Of "This Is Us" Shares Our Parenting Advice
How "acting like a cat" may help you connect with teens
Hi Readers,
Joanna Schroeder and I had a thrill this week when we heard actor Sterling K. Brown spreading the word about our book Talk To Your Boys on the “That Was Us” podcast with Mandy Moore and Chris Sullivan. There’s a clip avove, and here’s the full episode if you want to check it out.
Like many people, Brown first learned about the book when Priya Parker recommended it on The Ezra Klein show. For us, both first-time authors, having people share Talk To Your Boys with the world is just amazing. Thank you to all of you who have been spreading the word!
Big love,
Christopher
Fresh Advice For Parents Of Boys
In today’s newsletter, I’m sharing some highlights from a recent interview Joanna Schroeder and I did on the The MOOBment Podcast. “MOOB” stands for “Moms Of Only Boys,” but most of the advice we shared applies to all parents. It’s always fun when Joanna and I get to talk together about all the things we learned while reasearching and writing Talk To Your Boys.
Some of the concepts we discuss here:
Boys are often not getting enough emotional guidance at home, leading them to seek advice online, where they may encounter harmful influences.
There is a generational shift: boys today are caught between old stereotypes and new expectations, often feeling left out of empowerment conversations.
Boys benefit from having a wide range of options for self-expression, interests, and careers.
In-person social connections and friendships are crucial for boys’ development; online interactions do not fully replace real-life experiences.
Effective communication with boys involves curiosity, not assumption—ask open-ended questions and look for cues rather than imposing feelings.
Conversations with boys often happen during shared activities or at unexpected times - our advice is to stay present and be ready to engage when opportunities arise.
Respect boys’ interests and use them as entry points for connection and teaching empathy and responsibility. Yes, that might mean listening to them recount their latest video game victories in granular detail!
Model your own emotional regulation and self-care out loud so boys learn healthy coping strategies.
Community support (e.g., parent groups, book clubs) helps parents share experiences and strategies for raising boys.
Men, pay attention to the advice Terry Real shares in our book - do your own emotional work to avoid passing on unprocessed issues to you children.
Maintain open communication with boys from early childhood through young adulthood; don’t withdraw as they become teens.
Cherish the teenage years as a time of growth and connection, not just challenge.
Provide a safe space for boys to share, but also teach about privacy and boundaries as they mature.
The full interview is available for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Youtube.
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It was such a highlight of this journey!