I recently did a community parenting course called “About Boys” that was designed to help mothers provide boundaries and discipline for boys under five.

It also aimed to build confidence for mothers with raising sons and help them better understand their development and behaviour.

Some of my friends were outraged that I was attending a course that segregated genders – especially under five-years-old.

Hear Rachel talk about her experience on the course on this week’s podcast This Glorious Mess, here:

However, I only have a son and I needed a hand in figuring out how to make my son stop hitting the TV (that could topple on him) or throwing his food on the floor or having a complete meltdown at 4am. Despite my attempts to use the course’s techniques these things continue to happen but I still got a lot out of the discussions.

I was touched by the other women’s honesty about dealing with their sons and the challenges they faced. We all wanted good relationships with our boys and to be able to have boundaries without damaging our children.

At the heart of The Boys Development Project’s course were 17 positive discipline techniques for boys under five-years-old. Writer Trefor Lloyd had these tips:

The course provider states: "Courses so far have been particularly effective in targeting and engaging mothers and increasing their understanding, and confidence of their sons."

Many of Lloyd's tips could arguably be applied to little girls as well. I wonder if my discipline techniques would be different for a girl? Would I have different expectations of a daughter? Do children under five need different approaches to discipline according to gender?

I don't have to worry about all that right now because I only have a boy and I can just focus on him and perhaps get around to putting my TV out of reach.

Would you buy your son a doll?