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Life is filled with roles that are neither made for men nor women. The household for instance, is a place that needs human labor. But how do we break the stereotypes that we’ve grown up with and knock down the walls of gender equity in the home and at work? 

Joining me to talk about this important topic as well as her new book is Dr. Shelly Vaziri Flais. Shelly is a board-certified practicing pediatrician, the mother of 3 sons and 1 daughter, and Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. She is the author of Raising Twins, Editor in Chief of Caring for Your School-Age Child, and co-editor of The Big Book of Symptoms. She is an American Academy of Pediatrics spokesperson and frequent media contributor

Listen as she shares her thoughts on everything from modeling equitable behavior at home, why she was happy to be the “hangout house” for her kids and their friends, and why the change we want to see in the world starts in our homes. If you are raising children, whether they are boys or girls, you’ll want to listen in. 

Also, don’t forget to grab a copy of her new book, Nurturing Boys to Be Better Men. 

Resources: 

About Shelly – https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/faculty-profiles/az/profile.html?xid=27113
Nurturing Boys to Be Better Men by Shelly Vziri Flais, MD, FAAP – https://www.aap.org/Nurturing-Boys-to-Be-Better-Men-Paperback 

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Questions explored within this episode:

Could you start by sharing your inspiration for writing this book and why this topic is so important?

What makes this book unique among parenting books and gender equity books?

In your book, you discuss the concept of nurturing gender equality from a very young age. Can you provide some practical examples or advice for parents who want to start fostering these values early on in their boys?

How can parents, especially mothers, be effective role models in promoting gender equality within the family?

Many parents grapple with the idea of balancing traditional gender roles with fostering equality. How do you suggest parents strike this balance without reinforcing stereotypes?

The media and society often present boys with unrealistic expectations of masculinity. How can parents help their sons navigate these external pressures while promoting healthy masculinity and equality?

Empathy and emotional intelligence play crucial roles in fostering healthy relationships and gender equality. How can parents encourage these qualities in their sons from a young age?

In your book, you mention the importance of teaching consent and respect. Can you provide some guidance on how parents can teach these critical values to their boys?

As a mother yourself, what personal experiences or lessons have you learned on this journey of nurturing boys to be better men, and how have they influenced your approach to parenting?

Let’s discuss the impact of this nurturing process on society as a whole. How can raising boys to be better men at home contribute to a more gender-equal and inclusive future?

What do you hope readers will take away from your book, and what lasting message do you want to leave with our audience today?