In an ideal world, a Rite of Passage should be held on the boy’s actual birthday. This is the best case scenario because he will remember “on my 13th birthday, that’s when I became a man.” It’s a clear moment that he will cherish for the rest of his life. He won’t feel the need to prove his manhood to himself or to his peers because you, his father, already affirmed it.
However, we understand that it’s not always possible for the ROP to be on the actual date of his birthday. Perhaps his birthday falls on a weekday, or it’s not possible to gather all of the male mentors together. Whatever the reason, if it’s not possible to hold the ROP on his actual birthday, don’t let that stop you. It really is not a deal breaker. It is far more important that you actually hold a Rite of Passage than it is to hold it on his birthday.
Next, check out our blog post ‘Is there anything that I need to do with my son to prepare for his Rite of Passage weekend?’