I have a boy, he is eleven going on sixteen. I love him dearly. He is a great kid.

I worry about him and the influences that are around him. This is an age old concern for mothers I think.

I have been thinking about it a lot, and there are some key messages I have for him:

1. Our bodies are precious.

2. Stick up for other people and don’t take advantage of them.

3. Be the best boy you can be. Play rough, take risks, be loud and messy, however always be kind and considerate of others.

4. You will be a good man. Men are different from women, masculine different from feminine, we all have traits of both and gender is often a fluid factor. It’s about taking the best from those traits and being someone who doesn’t hurt others and who will stick up for others.

5. It’s about being champions for others.

6. Be compassionate. Empathy plus action equals compassion (I love that saying, and can’t take credit for it).

7. It’s not about perfection and always ‘getting it right’, that’s impossible; learn from mistakes, life is a journey.

8. You are loved