How do boys relate to their peers differently than girls?
Males form friendships based on what they are doing—their mutual interests, their toys, if you will. Men are friends with the guys they do stuff with—men they bowl with, or fish with, or watch football with. Same with boys—[in kindergarten] the boy who is a “big block guy” goes over and plays with the big blocks. Then two other big block guys go over and play with him, so he’s got two friends. When he comes home his mother says, “Did you make any friends?” “Yes.” “What are their names?” “I don’t know.” But they’re friends. And the next day, they will play together. How do boys relate to their parents differently than girls? When I counsel parents, I always tell them that boys will talk in cars, not in kitchens. They’re not big on talking in kitchens: “How was your day?” “Good.” “Do you like your teachers?” “Yeah.” Monosyllables. But in cars, listen to him, and he’ll talk. They are more comfortable in cars. Don’t ask me to explain that. What should families keep in mind when making the
