Skip to content

Written by Online therapist Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst, Ph.D.

Helping Boys Emotional Growth | Mothers of Boys Survival Guide Podcast

Emotional growth starts with safety and understanding.

For individuals in Maryland and DC, this conversation explores how boys learn to express themselves and how parents, especially moms, can nurture emotional fluency through everyday connection.

Good to see you,

Why do boys sometimes shut down, act out, or struggle to express what they feel?

This week, I joined the Mothers of Boys Survival Guide Podcast to share insights from my years of work with young boys and their families. We talked about how boys develop emotional awareness, why they often communicate differently than girls, and what parents can do to help them turn frustration into connection.

In this episode, we talk about:

  • Encouraging boys to express feelings instead of acting out
  • Turning meltdowns into meaningful moments of understanding
  • Supporting emotional development through safety and play
  • How movement and physical space help boys learn and communicate
  • Why moms play such a vital role in modeling emotional openness

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering how to help your son “use his words,” this conversation offers empathy, research-based tools, and simple, real-life strategies for nurturing emotional growth.

🎧 Watch the full episode: Helping Boys Grow Emotionally | Mothers of Boys Survival Guide

Want to explore how boys develop emotional intelligence and resilience? Visit Psychology Today’s article on helping boys develop emotional awareness and Greater Good’s guide to supporting emotional growth in boys.

If you’re navigating parenting challenges or seeking tools to support your son’s emotional development, therapy can help. Learn more about individual therapy in Maryland and DC or explore therapeutic approaches that support clarity, connection, and emotional growth.

related blog post by Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst, Ph.D.

Read more of my stories and reflections

One of the teachers journaling about the meaning of the word “like” with mental clarity in the new year, symbolizing language evolution and emotional expression in Maryland and DC.

Teachers

TEACHERS Guides, Mirrors, and the Architects of Tomorrow Teachers don’t just teach—they shape futures. For individuals in Maryland and DC, this reflection explores how educators serve as emotional anchors, role models, and catalysts for transformation in the lives of children and communities. I saw a television show this week where
Read My Post
An emotional woman camping and relaxing next to daffodils blooming beside a butterfly bush on a high visibility day, symbolizing seasonal expectations, renewal and emotional reflection in Maryland and DC.

Camping! | Family Adventures and Lakeside Memories

Family Adventures, Lakeside Memories, and the Joy of Being Outdoors Hello, outdoor lovers! Are you going camping? Have you been camping this year? Do you have a favorite spot? Camping is an inexpensive way to entertain the entire family. As a kid, my family vacationed this way every year. It
Read My Post
Person drinking coffee and wearing denim after Threading the Needle, symbolizing emotional balance and resilience through therapy in Maryland and DC.

OK, I Give Up! | A Humorous Reflection on Threading the Needle

National Thread the Needle Day, Really? National Thread the Needle Day! Come on! We now have a national day for everything. And I will admit that, as I get older, threading the needle gets harder. In fact, last week, as I was threading the needle on my sewing machine, I
Read My Post
A person writing an apology note after being caught in scams, symbolizing vulnerability, emotional growth, ICBM, and conscience in Maryland and DC.

Scams

SCAMS Deception, Vulnerability, and the Emotional Toll of Being Fooled Scams aren’t just financial—they’re emotional invasions. For individuals in Maryland and DC, this reflection explores how scams exploit trust, trigger shame, and fracture relationships, and why emotional recovery is just as vital as financial repair. Ahh! That is no doubt
Read My Post