Parents of teens often find themselves looking around and wondering who the strangers in their household are. While it can sometimes seem like teenagers are from a different planet, the reality is that, regardless of how grown-up they appear, our children’s brains are still working hard to develop throughout their teenage years. Children in their teens must often deal with adult situations and emotions without the aid of a fully adult brain, so it’s no wonder that their behavior sometimes comes across as moody or dramatic.
Parenting experts agree that although they can seem impossible to comprehend at times, our children need our support and guidance more than ever when they reach their high school years. With that in mind, we’ve gathered together nine of the best-selling books on parenting teens to help Moms and Dads better understand the unique struggles their teenaged children face.
Are you a new parent? If so, this selection of books will be more suitable for you: 13 Must Read Parenting Books For New Parents (Yearly Update)
Books for Parents of Teenagers
Are you at a loss to explain how your once respectful and well-mannered child has turned into the rude young teen standing rebelliously before you? Join the club! According to counselors Downshire and Grew, the teenage years can be the most challenging of all in terms of effective parenting. But with its positive and encouraging approach to parenting teens, this guide will show you how to put an end to the battles, improve communication, and support your child through their difficult transition to adulthood.
Many parents feel helpless in their attempts to guide their teens through territory they’ve never actually experienced themselves. Growing up in the digital age is a whole new ballgame when it comes to talking to our children about relationships and sex, or even to something as simple as trying to figure out if they’re happy. In a world of “likes” and “sexting”, teen experts Havey and Puccio draw on their professional and personal experience to give you the tools you need to parent your teens in the 21st century.
- The Gardener and the Carpenter: What the New Science of Child Development Tells Us About the Relationship Between Parents and Children – Alison Gopnik
Forget everything you thought you knew about raising children and find out how parenting over the past thirty years has turned into a goal-focused pursuit that’s bad for kids and parents alike. In her cutting-edge approach to what’s wrong with the way we parent, psychologist Gopnik draws on both her own research and the basics of human evolution to show readers that the difference between caring for our children and trying to shape them along the way is all about our willingness to let them learn.
Raising a son can be a complicated affair in today’s increasingly hostile society. How do parents encourage their sons to become the confident and considerate adults they were meant to be, without stifling their innate need to express their inner maleness? Dr. Meeker shares her valuable insights into the secrets of boyhood, including the crucial role that rules and boundaries play in a boy’s life, and how to deal with moodiness and rebellion.
- The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind – Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. & Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D.
Want to find out how your child’s brain is really wired? Neuropsychiatrist Siegel, author of Mindsight, teams up with parenting expert Bryson to present the 12 vital strategies every parent needs to raise a calm and happy youngster. The maturation process is a complex one, and science has revealed that the decision-making portion of our brains doesn’t finish developing until we’re well into our twenties. This book will show you the best ways to deal with your child’s right-brain ruled, emotional teenage world.
- The Teenage Brain: A Neuroscientist’s Survival Guide to Raising Adolescents and Young Adults – Frances E. Jensen
If you’ve ever wished you could take a peek inside the hard-to-fathom mind of your teenaged child, now you can! In her New York Times bestselling book, neurologist Jensen takes you on a unique journey through the adolescent brain. Be prepared to have common myths debunked and revolutionary approaches revealed for how to relate to your teen. By turning recent neurological insights into practical parenting advice, this book shows readers how the teenage years play a vital role in bridging the transformation from child to adult.
- The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money – Ron Lieber
Financial wisdom doesn’t just happen – it’s something that has to be learned. If you’re serious about raising kids who are smart with their money, let Your Money columnist Lieber show you how. This book is more than just a guide to saving for a rainy day – it’s a values-based blueprint for teaching your kids the importance of generosity in a material influenced world. Punctuated by stories of real-life families, The Opposite of Spoiled is practical, philosophical, and will teach you how to talk honestly with your kids about the value of money.
They may be the opposite sex, but sons need their mothers to provide them with the support and encouragement they can’t find anywhere else. If you’re having trouble finding common ground with your young man, Fuller’s book is filled with the sage wisdom she’s gained from her own parenting experiences, as well as the practical knowledge she’s gleaned from moms and sons everywhere. This indispensable guide will reveal the path to better communication with your son, and will show you how to instill values and encourage healthy emotions.
- Smart Parenting for Smart Kids: Nurturing Your Child’s True Potential – Eileen Kennedy-Moore & Mark S. Lowenthal
Smart Parenting for Smart Kids addresses a topic that’s often glossed over by mainstream society – the special challenges that only bright kids face in creating a meaningful life. Academic intelligence isn’t always everything it’s cracked up to be,and many children face serious issues that range from obsessive perfectionism to struggling with relationships. Authors Kennedy-Moore and Lowenthal unveil the truth behind the myths and show parents how they can help their children make the most of their special abilities while getting the most out of their lives.
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