Few things are as strong as a mother’s love for her child. But when it comes to boys, little will rival the connection he shares with his mama. The intricate nature of a mother’s love for her son has been covered by everyone from Maya Angelou to Sigmund Freud  and when passed through the lens of class and race in America, that relationship takes on entirely new dimensions. Black men that get caught up in the system of imprisonment and frequent unemployment start off as someone’s baby.

Regardless of whether men grow up in a single parent household or not, moms typically lead child rearing efforts. Much of that time is spent sheltering your boy, protecting his knees and elbows from boo-boos, answering to his call and making him happy. And rightly so. He’s your baby and deserves your love. The problem is that often, the way in which we raise our boys doesn’t always match up with what we and the rest of society expect of them as men.

The term “mama’s boy” probably comes to mind. Clearly a man should have a cherished place in his heart for his mama but that shouldn’t interfere with his ability to have an adult relationship with another woman or be a productive member of society and his community. Even as you spend your last dime to give that perfect little angel love and attention as only a mother can, it’s important to keep your eyes on the end goal: raising a good man.

Kids grow up fast but not over night. There will be plenty of time for your little man to be your baby but along the way, help him be the kind of man any mother can be proud of.

Starting school is a major milestone for children. It is the beginning of systematic learning and structure. Unfortunately, many children arrive at their Kindergarten classrooms ill-prepared for the coming tasks and behavioral expectations.

Children learn the quickest and easiest during ages 0-5. With a little preparation, your child can enter elementary school fully equipped. So many of the small things we do routinely have a huge impact on your child’s development. These are a few tips on how to turn daily activities into learning opportunities:

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There is nothing more beautiful than giving birth to a child and nothing more comical than breastfeeding that child. Nursing has been one of the most rewarding experiences of motherhood. It was the healthiest thing I could do for my children and created a special bond incomparable to anything else. The year I breastfed was also full of bizarre and rather humorous thoughts and experiences. It is amazing how childbirth eliminates all modesty and you find yourself doing and saying the very things you once rejected as a childless woman.

For those who have never been pregnant or tried nursing a child, I thought I would let you in on some of the things that may run through your mind:

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