Boys' Institute for Growth

Boys' Institute for Growth Enhancing relationships between boys and their families, peers, and their communities. BIG is a place where boys and parents come to learn and grow.

It is for boys with common, everyday struggles like fitting in, dealing with peer pressure, or coping with divorce, as well as for those boys with more significant difficulties like ADHD, depression, anxiety, social isolation, and acting out in destructive ways. For pre-teen and teen boys, BIG offers a chance to learn about “being male” and its wide-ranging meaning to cope with and express feelings, to make and keep good friends, and to relate more effectively with parents and siblings. Another part of BIG’s philosophy is to help boys understand, develop, and nurture their relationships with both girls and boys. For parents, BIG provides the opportunity to learn about how boys tend to operate without pigeonholing them into traditional gender stereotypes. Parents also learn about how the larger culture influences boys and their concepts of masculinity, and what they can do to help their sons think deeply about what it means to be a man in the 21st Century. They also come to get support from other parents who may be in similar spots: wanting to be closer to their sons, feeling confused about how to effectively parent their boys, or maybe just feeling alone in their everyday struggles as busy caregivers. BIG helps parents feel less isolated and more connected to others who know about the ups and downs of parenting boys.

Yet another engaging BIG Talk for Boys this past weekend in Mission Hills. And when I say that we had some questions, bo...
01/15/2026

Yet another engaging BIG Talk for Boys this past weekend in Mission Hills. And when I say that we had some questions, boy oh boy, did we have some questions! Take a look and have a laugh! Great job by you, boys and parents!

Did You Know?A July 2025 survey by Common Sense Media found that 73% of boys ages 11–17 regularly encounter online conte...
01/14/2026

Did You Know?

A July 2025 survey by Common Sense Media found that 73% of boys ages 11–17 regularly encounter online content promoting “digital masculinity”... think building muscle, making money, fighting to win.

But this hyper-masculine messaging comes at a cost:

👉 Lower self-esteem
👉 Increased loneliness
👉 A stronger belief that boys and men shouldn't express emotions

The good news?

Boys who have trusted adults to talk to, who normalize healthy emotional expression, and who offer support are better equipped to challenge those messages and stereotypes.

Shape their inner voice before algorithms do.

January is National Mentoring Month. The best mentors start at (and close to) home.Mentorship doesn’t always come with a...
01/14/2026

January is National Mentoring Month. The best mentors start at (and close to) home.

Mentorship doesn’t always come with a title.
Sometimes, it looks like a thoughtful bedtime conversation.
A long car ride with good chats.
Or the honest and open way you respond when your son asks questions. 

When you mentor your son through puberty and stay approachable, you're not just helping him understand physical changes. 

You're giving him:

✔️ Language for his emotions
✔️ Confidence to ask lots and lots of questions
✔️ A model for how to treat others
✔️ A safe place to land when life gets confusing

This January, commit to being the best mentor you can be by modeling kind and supportive words and deeds.

Started 2026 with a great BIG Talk for Boys in Encinitas.Check out a few of the questions asked out loud as you swipe. A...
01/07/2026

Started 2026 with a great BIG Talk for Boys in Encinitas.

Check out a few of the questions asked out loud as you swipe. As for the two pups, they were only two years old, so not mature enough to handle the content! 

Ended with some sweet messages from trusted adults to their sons.

Great job all around, everybody!

Happy New Year from The Boys' Institute for Growth!Thanks for being part of the journey to raise aware, kind, and confid...
01/02/2026

Happy New Year from The Boys' Institute for Growth!

Thanks for being part of the journey to raise aware, kind, and confident young men.

Here’s to more listening, learning, and showing up in 2026.

New shoes are great…But the real gifts boys need?Support. Emotional safety. Connection. Good boundaries. Encouragement.
12/31/2025

New shoes are great…

But the real gifts boys need?

Support. Emotional safety. Connection. Good boundaries. Encouragement.

Before the year ends, ask your son these 3 powerful questions:💬 What did you learn about yourself?💬 When did you feel pr...
12/31/2025

Before the year ends, ask your son these 3 powerful questions:

💬 What did you learn about yourself?

💬 When did you feel proud?

💬 What’s one thing you want to try next year?

These moments of reflection build confidence, self-awareness, and a sense of purpose as he heads into 2026.

The last BIG Talk for Boys of 2025! A wonderful end to a rewarding year of meeting with so many wonderful families. And,...
12/23/2025

The last BIG Talk for Boys of 2025! A wonderful end to a rewarding year of meeting with so many wonderful families. And, yes, one of the boys suggested that we call this talk "The Nightmare Before Christmas"! 

Well, it didn't seem too nightmarish for them (except perhaps for the part where they learned about periods). Only one written question but lots of "asked out loud" ones during our time together. 

As usual, I ended the talk with an exercise during which parents/trusted adults write their son a positive, anonymous message on a notecard. I then collect the cards and read them out loud, so the boys can hear a variety of empowering, supportive messages. What would you write or say to your son? 

As always, great job by you, boys and parents!!!

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San Diego, CA
92130

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+18587612256

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