Offers parents a practical, step-by-step approach to building a strong, positive relationship with their teenage children and guiding them to be responsible, cooperative, and independent. Parents are encouraged to devote a week to each chapter to carry out the various activities. Topics cover: (1) understanding parenting styles and the teen’s point of view, as well as the notions of giving choices, owning problems, teen misbehavior as power or revenge, and having fun; (2) changing responses to teen behavior, including doing the opposite of what a teen expects, understanding why teens reject family values, and learning to listen to feelings and beliefs; (3) communicating respect, including thinking about the real problem and using the language of encouragement; (4) promoting cooperation and solving problems, including exploring alternatives and establishing guidelines for family meetings; (5) using consequences to build responsibility, including distinguishing between discipline and punishment; and(6) deciding what to do, including tailoring the approach to the situation. Also addressed are issues of depression, bad eating habits and eating disorders, anger and violence, sibling rivalry, lying and stealing, sex, and drinking and drug abuse.
