Teen-Proofing
Fostering Responsible Decision Making in Your Teenager
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- £3.99
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- £3.99
Publisher Description
In Teen-Proofing, now available in paperback, he tackles the challenges of raising a teenager with his trademark user-friendly, humorous, and commonsense style. Rosemond lays out a perfectly sound and logical case for recognizing the realities of the teen-parent relationship, forming the foundation, and parenting with the "Long Rope Principle." In short, the author demonstrates how Mom and Dad can avoid the pitfalls of becoming dictatorial "Control Freaks," skirt the potholes of turning into permissive "Wimps," and enjoy the freedom and rewards of parenting in a controlled (but not controlling) and relaxed manner. Teenagers, Rosemond readily admits, can be a challenge. But infusing young adults with a sense of personal responsibility, then showing them the results of good and bad choices, is a goal every parent can achieve.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Rosemond--syndicated newspaper columnist, family psychologist and author of numerous child-rearing titles (Because I Said So!)--writes about the angst-ridden teen years with a keen sense of humor. Rosemond's message that teens need to be "mentored" rather than "micro-managed" by their parents is clear and quite reasonable, but readers unfamiliar with his often unconventional attitude may be put off when he turns his acerbic wit toward mental-health professionals, including Selma Fraiberg, who he says promote "parentbabble." The book clearly outlines what to expect of teens and how to deal with peer groups; gives solid advice on how to set limits and communicate with adolescents; and covers more troubling subjects such as drugs and depression. The author slips too often into a q&a format that seems better suited to a newspaper column, and offers only scant information on school problems and how to approach the subject of college. Fortunately, Rosemond's main text is peppered with entertaining anecdotes from his family and amusing tit-for-tat tales of raising his own son and daughter. Rosemond followers will no doubt be delighted to add this book on teens to their parenting libraries, but newcomers may have to adjust to the author's unsentimental attitude toward kids and may find his advice to let the teen "stew in his own juices" just a bit tough to swallow.
