What I've Learned From My Sons

Being a parent is one of the most rewarding experiences in life. As a father, I have learned countless valuable lessons from each of my three sons. They have taught me about patience, resilience, and unconditional love.

The Power of Patience

One of the greatest lessons my sons have taught me is the importance of patience. As toddlers, they would often test my limits with their endless energy and curiosity. Instead of reacting in frustration, I have learned to take a step back, breathe, and respond to their needs with patience. This has not only helped me foster a stronger bond with each of them but has also improved my overall well-being and ability to handle stressful situations.

Resilience in the Face of Challenges

Children are resilient by nature, and my sons have shown me the true strength that lies within them. Whether it's falling off their bike or facing school challenges, they have taught me the importance of embracing failure as a stepping stone towards success. Witnessing their perseverance has inspired me to approach my own obstacles with a positive mindset, knowing that setbacks are temporary and opportunities for growth.

Boy Lessons: What I’ve Learned from My Sons

by Jeff Johnson(Kindle Edition)

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2315 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	91 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Unconditional Love and Acceptance

Perhaps the most profound lesson I've learned from my sons is the power of unconditional love and acceptance. They have shown me that love knows no boundaries and does not require perfection. They love me for who I am, flaws and all, and I strive to reciprocate that love and acceptance in every aspect of our relationship. Their ability to love unconditionally has taught me the importance of embracing empathy, understanding, and forgiveness in my interactions with others.

The Joy of Embracing the Present

Children have an innate ability to fully immerse themselves in the present moment. They find joy in simple things, like chasing butterflies in the park or building sandcastles at the beach. Through my sons, I have learned to appreciate the beauty of the present and to let go of worries about the past or future. I now make a conscious effort to savor every precious moment spent with them, knowing that these moments are fleeting and will become cherished memories in the years to come.

Exploring the World Through their Eyes

Children possess a unique perspective on life, one that is filled with curiosity and wonder. As a parent, I have discovered the joy of seeing the world through their eyes. Whether it's exploring a new park, reading a story together, or discussing their thoughts on the mysteries of the universe, their inquisitive nature has inspired me to never stop learning and to approach life with a sense of awe and curiosity.

Building Lasting Connections

Through my sons, I have come to understand the importance of building lasting connections and nurturing relationships. They have shown me the incredible power of a strong family bond, one that can weather any storm. Whether it's playing board games, engaging in heartfelt conversations, or simply sharing a meal together, these moments strengthen our connection and create memories that will become a foundation for future generations.

Raising my sons has been an incredible journey, filled with ups and downs, challenges and triumphs. However, the lessons I have learned through their presence in my life are invaluable. They have taught me patience, resilience, unconditional love, and the importance of living in the present. I am eternally grateful for the wisdom and joy they have brought into my life, and I look forward to continuing this amazing journey as their father.

Boy Lessons: What I’ve Learned from My Sons

by Jeff Johnson(Kindle Edition)

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2315 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	91 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

"Raising boys is exhausting, confusing, infuriating . . . and absolutely awesome."

In Boy Lessons: What I've Learned from My Sons, Jeff Johnson shares a secret about being a dad that he's learned along the way:

When you're raising boys, you learn as much as you teach.

Jeff and his wife, Sondi, helped their sons through everything from brotherly fights and irrational fears (clowns, thunder, off-brand toilet paper) to "promposals" and their first teenage jobs. From toddlerhood to that self-centered stage before they left for college, their sons, Thor and Rolf, had many lessons to learn—but every stage included plenty of unexpected lessons for their dad too.

With this book of funny family stories, important lessons, and loving family moments, you'll have a front-row seat to the hard-earned wisdom Jeff has learned along the way. 

• Other people's kids aren't as perfect as you think. 
• Save the real battles for things that truly matter. 
• Take conversations when they come (even at bedtime). 
• Kids become frugal when money is scarce.
• Pray together whenever you can.

Modern parenting in a digital world may have added challenges—but the struggles and joys that come along with being a dad to two rambunctious boys is as old as parenthood itself. While all boys are beautifully unique, in other ways, they are also predictably the same: all boys go through similar phases and challenges and cause their parents the same headaches and joys.

Filled with reflections that are at once familiar and new, Boy Lessons will help you understand your sons better, put their behavior into sharper perspective, and be a better parent.

About the Author

Jeff Johnson is a graduate of Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, and Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, DC. He has worked as an employment attorney at Cargill, Inc. in Minnesota and at firms in Minneapolis and Chicago and served as founder and president of his own firm, providing mediation and investigation services to employers. He’s a former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives and the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners, and he founded NorthStar Neighbor, a Minnesota nonprofit matching volunteers with seniors in need. He was the Republican candidate for Minnesota governor in 2014 and 2018.

Jeff has spent much of the past thirty years learning firsthand the joys and challenges that raising boys can bring to an already full life. He’s tutored boys in homeless shelters in Chicago, Washington, DC, and Minneapolis; coached them in baseball, football, and soccer; taught them in Sunday School and Confirmation classes; and, with his wife Sondi, raised two awesome sons, Thor and Rolf, to adulthood.