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From Boys to Men: Guiding Our Boys to Grow into Happy, Healthy Men
For boys, adolescence can be a confusing minefield and parents can be bewildered as how to best guide their precious sons. Many parents wake one day to find that their beautiful little boys have grown into silent, withdrawn, sometimes angry and often unmotivated tweens and teens.Well-known Australian author, parenting and resilience educator, and 'boy champion' Maggie Dent, offers parents and guardians a compassionate and practical guidebook, packed with advice and ground-breaking techniques on how to stay calm Communicate effectively and defuse conflict- 'Unstick' an unmotivated son- Teach them to cope with loss and failure, and how to recover- Help them foster healthy friendships and intimate relationships- Navigate technology and the digital world. From Boys to Men empowers parents with insight, tips and a common-sense approach to help all boys - and their families - thrive as they progress through adolescence, offering hope for their bright futures as happy, healthy men. Featuring a Foreword by Michael Gurian
416 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2021
249 people are currently reading
754 people want to read
About the author
Maggie Dent
32 books108 followersCommonly known as the ‘queen of common sense’, Maggie Dent has become one of Australia's favourite parenting authors and educators. She has a particular interest in the early years, adolescence and resilience, and is an undisputed 'boy champion'.
Maggie is the author of eight major books, including the bestselling 2018 release Mothering Our Boys and her 2020 release From Boys to Men. She hosts the ABC podcast, Parental As Anything. In July 2021, she is publishing a book based on the podcast called Parental As Anything: A common-sense guide to raising happy, healthy kids – from toddlers to tweens.
Maggie is a dedicated advocate to quietly changing lives in our families and communities. She is the mother of four sons and a very grateful grandmother.
Maggie is the author of eight major books, including the bestselling 2018 release Mothering Our Boys and her 2020 release From Boys to Men. She hosts the ABC podcast, Parental As Anything. In July 2021, she is publishing a book based on the podcast called Parental As Anything: A common-sense guide to raising happy, healthy kids – from toddlers to tweens.
Maggie is a dedicated advocate to quietly changing lives in our families and communities. She is the mother of four sons and a very grateful grandmother.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
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December 28, 2020DNF, rare for me but self-help books are not my favourite. This one had all of the most annoying traits of the genre - a handful of key messages that could have been summarised more usefully in a magazine article, totally disorganised content with random bits of advice and examples scattered through paragraphs without any clear theme, pet theories and strategies presented as gospel, subjective views resulting in unintentional stereotyping... and an obsession with farts(!)
There were some interesting insights and tips, but I read a third of the way through and couldn’t take any more.
There were some interesting insights and tips, but I read a third of the way through and couldn’t take any more.
September 20, 2020
A lot of good tips, and good examples. A bit repetitive at times.
January 23, 2026
Nothing like the power of a well timed fart 🤣
November 12, 2022
A good book to read for parents of boys!
March 22, 2021
Great advice and real life examples. Audio book was great, read by Maggie Dent so it felt like your favourite teacher giving advice. Lots of resources and references. I probably need to get the paper copy to refer back to some of the chapters.
January 12, 2026
Helpful and insightful wisdom on raising tween and teen boys
December 3, 2020
I have a son who is 12 going on 20 going on 6. He is forgetful, emotional, and demanding we trust him. So reading a book like this was exactly what I needed.
Maggie explains why he is forgetful, moody, and all the other crazy things going on. Several times it felt like she had written the book exactly about our son, and had been watching us do one parent fail after another.
After completing the book I feel much better. Still not 100% how we are going to navigate the next 13 years until his brain is fully developed, but we have a guide now.
Maggie explains why he is forgetful, moody, and all the other crazy things going on. Several times it felt like she had written the book exactly about our son, and had been watching us do one parent fail after another.
After completing the book I feel much better. Still not 100% how we are going to navigate the next 13 years until his brain is fully developed, but we have a guide now.
June 11, 2025
“every boy matters, no matter what.”
“Good dads help children to grow into being the best expression of themselves. Fatherless boys are more likely to struggle in school, with addictions, with criminality, with violence and depression.”
This is an extraordinary book, which is well worth a read for parents of pre-adolescent boys (as well as parents of boys who are younger or older than this). Maggie refers to herself as a “passionate boy champion”. This is a long book at 360-pages, but is easy and enjoyable to read.
“The world has changed in many unhelpful ways. Parents are much more fearful about letting their children have freedom to explore their neighbourhoods, local creeks and streams, or even to climb trees and build cubbies with their friends… For most of today’s tween and teen boys, boyhood has not given them a strong foundation to negotiate the massive shifts in testosterone, physical growth or brain changes that occur in adolescence… The ‘schoolification’ of early years care and education, and the growth in benchmark testing across the Western world has put a strong overemphasis on marks, grades and how they compare nationally… In many ways, we are punishing boys who are not developmentally ready for a curriculum that has been pushed downwards… Masculinity has been attacked in recent times as being problematic but it is a very small percentage of men who are toxic and hurtful… Statistically our boys are struggling right now – especially our boys on the adolescent journey to adulthood, from 12 to 25 plus.”
From Boys to Men is a compassionate and practical guide for parents navigating the turbulent teen years of boys. Maggie Dent draws on her deep experience as an educator and as a mother to offer wisdom, empathy, and clear strategies for supporting boys through adolescence.
“When we deny boys competitive moments in childhood, how are they supposed to feel good about themselves if they are wired to need external evidence of their ability to win? I am deeply concerned how we have sanitised play in Australia, Canada, the US and the UK.”
“Many schooling practices over the years have become feminised so they are more suited to most girls than boys. Continuous assessment, group work, increased desk time and less recess and lunch times, plus having access to phones at school, can all be difficult for boys.”
With a focus on emotional resilience, communication, and positive masculinity, the book empowers adults to better understand and guide young men during their critical developmental years. This book is a highly accessible and affirming resource for families raising sons.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2or7j...
“Good dads help children to grow into being the best expression of themselves. Fatherless boys are more likely to struggle in school, with addictions, with criminality, with violence and depression.”
This is an extraordinary book, which is well worth a read for parents of pre-adolescent boys (as well as parents of boys who are younger or older than this). Maggie refers to herself as a “passionate boy champion”. This is a long book at 360-pages, but is easy and enjoyable to read.
“The world has changed in many unhelpful ways. Parents are much more fearful about letting their children have freedom to explore their neighbourhoods, local creeks and streams, or even to climb trees and build cubbies with their friends… For most of today’s tween and teen boys, boyhood has not given them a strong foundation to negotiate the massive shifts in testosterone, physical growth or brain changes that occur in adolescence… The ‘schoolification’ of early years care and education, and the growth in benchmark testing across the Western world has put a strong overemphasis on marks, grades and how they compare nationally… In many ways, we are punishing boys who are not developmentally ready for a curriculum that has been pushed downwards… Masculinity has been attacked in recent times as being problematic but it is a very small percentage of men who are toxic and hurtful… Statistically our boys are struggling right now – especially our boys on the adolescent journey to adulthood, from 12 to 25 plus.”
From Boys to Men is a compassionate and practical guide for parents navigating the turbulent teen years of boys. Maggie Dent draws on her deep experience as an educator and as a mother to offer wisdom, empathy, and clear strategies for supporting boys through adolescence.
“When we deny boys competitive moments in childhood, how are they supposed to feel good about themselves if they are wired to need external evidence of their ability to win? I am deeply concerned how we have sanitised play in Australia, Canada, the US and the UK.”
“Many schooling practices over the years have become feminised so they are more suited to most girls than boys. Continuous assessment, group work, increased desk time and less recess and lunch times, plus having access to phones at school, can all be difficult for boys.”
With a focus on emotional resilience, communication, and positive masculinity, the book empowers adults to better understand and guide young men during their critical developmental years. This book is a highly accessible and affirming resource for families raising sons.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2or7j...
October 25, 2021
"From Boys to Men: Guiding our teen boys to grow into happy, healthy men"
by Maggie Dent
Reviewed on 25 October 2021
This book is a MUST-READ for all parents no matter if they are raising boys or girls. Maggie has made many great points and the one that really resonated with me is how all kids need to have lighthouse figures in their lives to help them navigate the seas of life to the light. She's told many stories that adults have helped young children without them knowing, and it could be as little as just having a pe/ pencils can in the classroom for the children who don't bring writing utensils to school. This book was recommended to me by a special friend with boys and I read it in the effort to connect with my teenager girl. I find this book very good for guardians of young boys, but also for girls.
It makes me more aware and sensitive to the needs of children.
by Maggie Dent
Reviewed on 25 October 2021
This book is a MUST-READ for all parents no matter if they are raising boys or girls. Maggie has made many great points and the one that really resonated with me is how all kids need to have lighthouse figures in their lives to help them navigate the seas of life to the light. She's told many stories that adults have helped young children without them knowing, and it could be as little as just having a pe/ pencils can in the classroom for the children who don't bring writing utensils to school. This book was recommended to me by a special friend with boys and I read it in the effort to connect with my teenager girl. I find this book very good for guardians of young boys, but also for girls.
It makes me more aware and sensitive to the needs of children.
April 7, 2023
If I was a parent, I know I'd find this book an enormously helpful guide and support. As someone who was a teenager during the early 70s, and whose parents did not have access to such information, Maggie's insights and the inclusion of numerous first-hand accounts of contemporary stories, validated much of my experience from back then. Perhaps little has changed during the intervening years for teens and young men. Dare I suggest it may have got worse? But one aspect of this very readable book is the inclusion of current scientific research into the developing brains of young men between ages 12 and their mid-20s. If we can accept this as factually sound, then so much else falls into place about seemingly inexplicable behaviour.
August 27, 2021
This book should be read with a physical copy. The endless lists of dot-points and one-off suggestions exert a pressure to highlight each page. The book is purposeful for that and the author commended for the many practical tips that are provided for parents and caregivers to utilise. However, the underlying latent themes that combine to create the overarching narrative is less comprehensive. Most prominently, there is an incessant need amongst the chapters to repeatedly state that young males prefrontal cortex's are underdeveloped, moulding the following recommendations to be completely seperate from any capacities in the young male themselves.
February 28, 2021
I haven't actually read the whole book but tend to use it as a reference book - dipping into chapters relevant to whatever stage/issues we Helen to be managing.
Maggie writes with soooo much warmth, empathy and old fashioned common sense that her books are a joy to read. I've found the chapter on communication incredibly helpful, along with her insights into how boys build their self esteem and how to cope with teen boys who grunt as their primary form off response.
I can't recommend this book highly enough to anyone who has pre teen or teenage boys.
Maggie writes with soooo much warmth, empathy and old fashioned common sense that her books are a joy to read. I've found the chapter on communication incredibly helpful, along with her insights into how boys build their self esteem and how to cope with teen boys who grunt as their primary form off response.
I can't recommend this book highly enough to anyone who has pre teen or teenage boys.
February 7, 2024
A thick one spanning every issue from school engagement to pornography, and filled with useful advice on how to be proactive in the parenting of males in modern society. Lots to draw on as a parent and Teacher, but I must disagree with one particular suggestion - DO NOT email your kids year level coordinator ONCE A MONTH to check if your kid is still passing their subjects. I have been that coordinator and if every parent did that it'd be madness.
December 18, 2024
This was another super practical and relatable gem from Maggie Dent. I've loved every book of hers that I've read and this was no exception. As my son enters the teen years, this has helped me feel a little more prepared and at ease. I feel like this is a book I will keep going back to over the years though.
August 7, 2021
I loved “Mothering our Boys” so thought I’d enjoy this but found it repetitive from that book and then within the book itself similar anecdotes. Only read if you have teens as lots won’t be relevant yet.
August 23, 2023
Really amazing, and a bit spooky that I would be struggling with something and the next chapter would be on that something! I read this slowly, and might need to read it again. Just a few pages a night really gives you that extra support needed to stay strong ❤️
January 22, 2025
This book was ok. I don’t feel like I learned a whole lot. Maybe more for someone who didn’t have brothers or haven’t researched anything. The advice is very basic and repetitive.
I did however like that it had little snippets of stories and wants from teens.
I did however like that it had little snippets of stories and wants from teens.
September 4, 2025
This will be my bible for the next 8+ years as my boys traverse the bridge of adolescence. As a step mum I am so happy I found this as my kids are just entering their teenage years and the responsibility to do right them is huge! Thank you Maggie for this brilliant, helpful and informative book.
September 11, 2020
Kind of predictable common sense sort of stuff.
December 26, 2020
Fascinating and interesting with what seems like very sensible insights and useful tips
December 28, 2020
Commonsense great advice book. Lots to think about with my frustrated view of my tween boy
February 1, 2021
Some good tips. Liked the recommendation for surfing as a great activity to get into. Needs no pushing in our house!
March 26, 2021
Fantastic read. Made so much sense and I actually had a few 'aha' moments.
I highly recommend all parents and carers of teenage boys read it, for your sake, and for the sake of your boys.
I highly recommend all parents and carers of teenage boys read it, for your sake, and for the sake of your boys.
March 29, 2021
What an insightful book about the journey from boys to men!! It's so good I'm going to read it again and take notes!! A must read if you have tween or teen sons 👍.
April 27, 2021
Loved it. Now I know that all those things that frustrate me about my almost teenage child are just normal. No more sweating the small stuff.... it’s just life and he’s right on track.
June 10, 2021
Listened on Audible and will probably buy paper copy for easy reference. Lots of great advice. A bit sobering at times.
May 17, 2022
Great book. One of the best on teenagerhood I've read so far.
August 5, 2022
As with most books, learn what you can, chuck what makes you roll your eyes, and keep moving.
September 14, 2022
I feel like this book could've been a bit shorter and it would've been if it wasn't so repetitive. Other than that, lots of great advice.
January 1, 2023
Just what I needed. Read it at the same time as a fiction book because I absorbed it better reading in bursts
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews