Tea at Trianon: Helping Boys Become Responsible Men

John Wilson Croker on Marie-Antoinette

"We have followed the history of Marie Antoinette with the greatest diligence and scrupulosity. We have lived in those times. We have talked with some of her friends and some of her enemies; we have read, certainly not all, but hundreds of the libels written against her; and we have, in short, examined her life with– if we may be allowed to say so of ourselves– something of the accuracy of contemporaries, the diligence of inquirers, and the impartiality of historians, all combined; and we feel it our duty to declare, in as a solemn a manner as literature admits of, our well-matured opinion that every reproach against the morals of the queen was a gross calumny– that she was, as we have said, one of the purest of human beings."

~from History of the Guillotine by John Wilson Croker, 1844

Edmund Burke on Marie-Antoinette

"It is now sixteen or seventeen years since I saw the queen of France, then dauphiness, at Versailles; and surely there never lighted on this orb, which she hardly seemed to touch, a more delightful vision. I saw her just above the horizon, decorating and cheering the elevated sphere she had just begun to move in, glittering like a morning star full of life and splendor and joy. Oh, what a revolution....Little did I dream that I should have lived to see such disasters fall upon her, in a nation of gallant men, in a nation of men of honor and of cavaliers! I thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards, to avenge even a look which threatened her with insult. But the age of chivalry is gone; that of sophisters, economists, and calculators has succeeded...."

~Edmund Burke, October 1790

Sunday, October 15, 2017

Helping Boys Become Responsible Men

From Homeschool Your Boys:

1. Allow him to compete – Most boys like to compete. This can be used to your advantage when you’re trying to get him to do his schoolwork. Unfortunately, most children nowadays are being taught that everyone deserves a trophy… which doesn’t teach them the value of trying to do their best. Give your son opportunities to compete against others. Team sports, field days, contests, science fairs… any sort of competition in an area of his choice. Even competition with siblings can be positive for boys. Give your son a chance to compete and watch him push himself to excel!

2. Being responsible – Put your son in charge of certain tasks around the house. Boys benefit from having to complete chores around the house.

3. Exploring their passions – Encourage them to at least give things a try. If our boys never try anything new, they won’t find out what they’re really passionate about. My oldest son has decided he’s interested in film directing and editing – so I found a film camp for him to participate in. I also talked with a family member, who does videography on the side, and have asked him if he can take my son under his wing and show him the ropes from time to time. (Read more.)

Unknown said...: except for 8 i think these apply to girls too.

my parents let me do everything on that list.; October 17, 2017 at 5:18:00 PM EDT