Stories

April 18, 2017 - BOy Handshakes

 

BOy handshakes

 

Begs a BOy question … Why are bear hugs, group hugs, butt slapping, tears and kisses acceptable (applauded even) on footy fields and in sporting arenas, yet in school yards, work places, and often the homes of growing lads, it’s often viewed as a sign of immaturity, weakness or ‘gayness’ – inviting tags such as ‘Mummy’s BOy’?   A BOy’s rite of passage can be a lonely place.

(Boy Series, Clunk & Jam book, 2019)

March 20, 2017 - BOy Ouch

 

boy ouch

The knowing and the doing don’t much like the company of each other.  The doing wants to keep doing – and the knowing doesn’t know how to stop.  So if the knowing can’t stop the doing, wonder what can……

Clunk & Jam Book

March 5, 2017 - BOy Left Home

 

boy leaving home

BOy culture seems to load lads up – sometimes, with more than BOy can bear.  And if  BOy can’t bear it – saying so isn’t an encouraged option, because BOy is supposed to be tough – right?    Or maybe it’s BOy culture that’s wrong?   Maybe BOy should be valued for his sensitivity, honesty, authenticity, difference and ability to grow and evolve beyond the confines of  BOy stereotyping –  rather than his worth being measured by size, strength, toughness and how much he can do? 

Clunk & Jam Book

 

February 12, 2017 - BOy What Comes Next

 

Boy what comes next

 

BOy is often told; “You know what you’ve got coming to ya!”  But when BOy doesn’t.  When BOy gets it wrong.  Does it  make what he got – right?  And why should  BOy have to be brave in the face of the cowardly acts of others?   Why does he think he should be able to get there in time to change the course of bad things?   Will he remain forever frozen on the edge of anticipation?     Will there come a time when it’s safe for BOy to say “I don’t know?”   When BOy is encouraged to feel and react to his own emotions and pain?  When he can warmly and sensitively console  another – BOy?   Say ‘yes – it hurts’ and ‘no – that’s wrong’ ?   To thaw and skip like stones beyond his tightly bound existence?

Clunk & Jam Book

August 13, 2014 - Dear Dads

 

dear dads 3

dear dads 2

dear dads 4

 

(Above) Interview with Bruce Robinson a Perth Doctor and Scientist who heads ‘The Fathering Project’,  a University of WA based group helping Fathers be exceptional Dads. Article found in The Australian Financial Review 5-6 July 2014.

March 12, 2014 - Courage to Write

 

 

Paul Jennings, an author well known to young readers, talks about rejection; losing (and finding again) the confidence to write; fame; and boys wanting to fly.  (Interview by Dumbo Feather, a magazine).