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While there are a lot of highs to parenting, there are plenty of challenges, particularly when it comes to teens. While we were all teenagers once, we often can't understand what our own teens are going through. But there are certain habits you can pick up that can make the teen years easier for both you and your child.
List of contents
Contents
The Art of Relating
SerenityExpect the Unexpected
Laugh About Inconsistencies
Choose Power Struggles Wisely
Take Time to Unwind
Give Them Reasons to Be Proud of You
Remember Your Own Feelings as a Teenager
See Beyond the Obvious
Be Still and Smile
Willingly Make Up
Respond with an Open Heart
Accept Changes Graciously
Add a Splash of Pizzazz to Your Own Life
Accentuate What Is Truly Meaningful
By Your Own Example, Teach Them to Pray
Treasure Being Together as a Family
Do the Best You Can
Ask for Input About the Toughies
Encourage Role Models
Become a Mentor
Expand Your Vision for Our Children
SpiritTry the Playful Approach
Have Exciting Conversations
Consider Their Point of View
Share Your Perspective
Provide Adventures
Include Lots of Friends
Make Room for the Blues
Show Wholehearted Interest Without Taking Over
Find New Ways to Be Together
Celebrate the Milestones
Carry on Family Traditions
Bring on the Blaring Music
Allow for Lots of Privacy
Carefully Avoid Embarrassing Them
Build a Bond of Camaraderie
Encourage Activities to Let Off Steam
Guide Them Toward Their Passion
Honor Their Wild, Strong, and Free Nature
Let Them Burn the Midnight Oil
Share the Car
Find Healthy Ways to Be High
Take Every Opportunity to Hang Out
SecurityBelieve in Them Totally
Admire Who They Are, as They Are
Behave Respectfully
Let Them Learn by Experience
Have Faith in Their Ability to Find Solutions
Plant the Seeds of Suggestions
Stand Back and Watch Them Grow
Admit When You’re Angry
Refine the Knack of Arguing
Be Sensitive to Their Struggles
Acknowledge Their Choices
Handle the Unmentionables
Include Them in Your Life
Truthfully Share Your Life Stories
Negotiate, Negotiate
Let Them Know You Care
Establish Guidelines That Inspire
Alert Them Gently to Consequences
Face Problems Squarely
Be Genuine with Praise
Teach Them to Be Good to Themselves
Give a Choice in Their Day-to-day Lives
Allow Them to Practice Taking Charge
Trust and Trust Again
Remember That Teenagers Are Fragile, Too
Stand Back and Gain Perspective
Bravely Let Go
Resource Guide
About the author
Judy Ford is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with heart and soul, who has been studying love and relationships for over three decades. Her work has been featured in Oprah Magazine, Family Circle, Women's World, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Woman's Day, and more. With compassion and candor, she inspires us to persevere through life’s challenges and to share our gifts with others. For more, visit www.judyford.com
Summary
While there are a lot of highs to parenting, there are plenty of challenges, particularly when it comes to teens. While we were all teenagers once, we often can’t understand what our own teens are going through. But there are certain habits you can pick up that can make the teen years easier for both you and your child.
Foreword
- The author was a frequent visitor on the Oprah Winfrey Show
- The Wonderful Ways series has sold over 1.25 million copies
- The author is a practicing family therapist in Seattle area who specializes in teens and tweens
- She is one of the most respected family therapists in the country
- Articles on her work have appeared in O: The Oprah Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Woman's Day and more
Additional text
“A source of lovingly gentle perspective with powerful relationship saving tools that every parent of teenagers should have to refer back to”—Becca Anderson, Bestselling Author of Badass Affirmations
