I’m Outnumbered!: One Mom’s Lessons in the Lively Art of Raising Boys

Laura Lee Groves
Kregel Publications (2010)
ISBN 9780825427398
Reviewed by Joseph Yurt for Reader Views (11/10)

Author Laura Lee Groves is a high-school teacher and a “boy mom” raising a family of four boys. She brings her experience, along with research, insights and stories from other valuable sources, to her wise and witty book, “I’m Outnumbered!: One Mom’s Lessons in the Lively Art of Raising Boys,” and, the title aside, read on because the book is an equally valuable read for parents of boys and girls as well as single moms.

Groves shares her lessons, advice and tips in chapters that are short and to the point in deference to a mom’s precious time. While her focus throughout is primarily on her thoughts about the unique requirements of raising boys, much of her advice in most chapters is universally applicable to raising children that people generally would regard simply as “good kids.” One such chapter is “Media in a Young Man’s Life.” There is meaty advice here that would certainly be helpful to all families. This same chapter reflects the only concern I have, albeit not a pervasive one, about the author’s advice: she sometimes assumes a “boys should be boys” perspective that is at odds with much current childhood development thinking. In speaking to moms of “boys plus” - moms with a daughter or two in the mix - she discusses the importance of mutual respect between brothers and sisters for one another’s differences. She writes, “The boys won’t enjoy Cinderella, and she may not take to the story of Davy Crockett, but sons and daughters can learn to show respect for each other’s likes and dislikes.” Many experts and “real life parents” would argue that thinking that boys won’t like “girl movies” is not a valid assumption.

While numerous articles and books have been written on this subject, “I’m Outnumbered!: One Mom’s Lessons in the Lively Art of Raising Boys” is one of the most notable. It’s an entertaining, easy-to-read guide for first time “boy moms” and new moms in general. In addition to her book, Ms. Groves offers ongoing advice on raising boys on her website.

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