Boys will be boys
Published
At a time when concerns around boys' mental health and emotional wellbeing are building, a new book by developmental paediatrician Dr Billy Garvey, 10 Things To Know About Raising Boys, offers a reassuring guide to equip parents with the practical tools they need to help boys feel safe, seen and understood.
Billy has 26 years’ experience supporting children and families as a senior specialist at one of the world's leading children's hospitals and is founder of the charity Guiding Growing Minds. He is also author of the bestselling title Ten Ten Things I Wish You Knew About Your Child's Mental Health.
Parents are increasingly asking:
- Why do so many boys struggle to talk about their feelings?
- How can we build resilience without shutting down emotion?
- What does healthy masculinity look like today?
- How do we help boys navigate an increasingly complex world?
Drawing on thousands of consultations with children and families, Billy argues that boys need understanding, connection and support from adults who can see beyond behaviour to the emotional needs underneath.
In the book, Billy sets out an empowering roadmap to help parents learn to:
- Support healthy identity formation and positive masculinity.
- Respond to big emotions with confidence.
- Set boundaries without losing connection.
- Build empathy, resilience and emotional regulation.
- Strengthen the parent-child bond that protects mental health for life.
- Understand the emotional needs beneath challenging behaviour.
