Kids just being kids or something else altogether?

Being a mom of 5, I'm pretty comfortable in saying I've been in the trenches. I've got some question on how I'm going to handle a teenage daughter but I know I'll cross that bridge when I come to it too. Recently I've gotten pretty laid back The kids have managed to lull me into a false sense of security really. That was my mistake.

I started to gradually hear a few things coming from my 12 year old son, usually not from him directly but from his friends moms. Of course, why would we keep this stuff in the family? It is so much more fun when we lay it out there for someone else to hear, right? NOT. So I talk to the kid and tell him I'm disappointed, that he knows he isn't supposed to be saying those things. Some of it I don't even think he understands, but even then, he should know better.

And here comes the saying I hate the most... you ready for it? It is a pet peeve of mine. Boys will be boys! and then there are the variations: Girls will be girls, kids will be kids, toddlers will be toddlers, etc.

As I've said, I am a mom of 5 so I know the statement above is true BUT what drives me nuts about the statement is when a parent says it and leaves things at that.

Boys will be boys... they will find disgusting things to talk about. They will say and do things in front of their friends so that they look tough and big. They love to be rude then laugh about it... yes boys will be boys.

As parents it is not our job to then throw up our hands, or shrug our shoulders and say "boys will be boys". As parents it is out job to know that - so we don't get overly worried about things our kids are doing, but then use these times as teaching moments. We tell our boys that when they do these things it takes away from their character, that they NEED to behave better and the MUST become leaders, kids other kids will look up to for the long haul not just the short term.

Kids always will be kids. They test their boundaries continually! And sometimes we fail to take advantage of those moments, which will make it harder next time. I speak from experience. I have been able to nip some stuff in the bud, and other things I have let go too long and had to take more aggressive measures to correct the bad behavior. It is easier to do it the first time.

When your "boys are being boys" ask yourself what kind of man you want your boys to grow into then get your "moms will be moms" and "dads will be dads" hats on and get busy because if left to their own devises you never know IF or HOW your boys will become the men you wish them to be.