Love the Teen You Have - by Ann-Louise Lockhart (Hardcover)

About the Book

"When it comes to parenting teens, the relationship you share is the foundation for all good things. Do you feel like your teen is pulling away, rolling their eyes at every request, or shutting you out? It's easy to feel like you've lost the child you once knew. Parenting teens can stir up frustration, self-doubt, and even memories of your own teenage struggles. But here's the truth: Raising a teen doesn't have to feel like a daily battle. Teens stumble because they're still developing the skills they need to become healthy, happy adults. Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart, a pediatric psychologist and parent coach, has spent over twenty years helping families strengthen relationships and guide teens through this transformative stage. She knows it all comes down to relationship and connection-it's never too late to reconnect. Teens need a safe foundation to develop lifelong skills like flexibility, impulse control, and emotional regulation. And you're the best person to help them. In Love the Teen You Have, you'll learn how to discipline with love, build executive functioning skills for adulthood, and tackle challenges like ADHD, anxiety, and depression with clarity. You'll also discover how to reparent yourself, healing wounds you don't want to pass on. Dr. Lockhart combines relatable humor, stories, and actionable strategies to help you spark deeper connections and rewrite your parenting story. It's never too late to love the teen you have and enjoy these years together"-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

When it comes to parenting teens, the relationship you share is the foundation for all good things.

Do you feel like your teen is pulling away, rolling their eyes at every request, or shutting you out? It's easy to feel like you've lost the child you once knew. Parenting teens can stir up frustration, self-doubt, and even memories of your own teenage struggles. But here's the truth: Raising a teen doesn't have to feel like a daily battle. Teens stumble because they're still developing the skills they need to become healthy, happy adults.

Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart, a pediatric psychologist and parent coach, has spent over twenty years helping families strengthen relationships and guide teens through this transformative stage. She knows it all comes down to relationship and connection--it's never too late to reconnect. Teens need a safe foundation to develop lifelong skills like flexibility, impulse control, and emotional regulation. And you're the best person to help them.

In Love the Teen You Have, you'll learn how to discipline with love, build executive functioning skills for adulthood, and tackle challenges like ADHD, anxiety, and depression with clarity. You'll also discover how to reparent yourself, healing wounds you don't want to pass on. Dr. Lockhart combines relatable humor, stories, and actionable strategies to help you spark deeper connections and rewrite your parenting story. It's never too late to love the teen you have and enjoy these years together.

Review Quotes

"Reading this book feels like having a trusted friend (who also happens to be an expert) confidently guiding you through those moments when parenting feels most confusing. Dr. Lockhart offers practical tools, powerful reflection prompts, and the exact words to say when it feels like you and your child are speaking different languages. Her parent-friendly educational insights and strategies around ADHD is a breath of fresh air and exactly what so many families need. "
--Laura Petix, founder of The OT Butterfly and author of A Kids Book About Neurodiversity

"If you've ever looked at your tween or teen and thought, 'Who is this kid--and how do I even begin to reach them?' this book is the gentle, wise guide you've been searching for. Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart truly gets teens--across cultures, backgrounds, and personalities. She brings not only deep clinical expertise, but also personal insight into what it means to parent in a world that often overlooks cultural nuance. Her compassion runs deep, and her insights are grounded in both science and soul. This book walks you through the tween and teen years--age by age--explaining what to expect and exactly how to respond, with real-life examples and word-for-word scripts you can use right away. I deeply respect her work and approach--this book belongs on every parent's shelf."
--Dr. Cam Caswell, host of Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam

"Love the Teen You Have ditches the cliches and gets real. Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart hands you the playbook for cutting through the conflict and building real connection with your teen--no guilt, no gimmicks. This book doesn't ask you to change your teen, but invites you to better understand them. A must-read for any parent navigating the unpredictable, messy, and beautiful journey of raising a teen in this age."
--Leslie Josel, founder of Order Out of Chaos

"As a stepmom to two teens with ADHD and someone who has spent over 20 years supporting neurodiverse families and adolescents, I felt deeply seen and validated while reading Love the Teen You Have by Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart. With a powerful blend of clinical expertise and heartfelt empathy, Dr. Lockhart offers practical tools that transform everyday conflict into genuine connection. Her writing is honest, clear, and refreshingly relatable. This book is an essential read for anyone committed to raising emotionally healthy and connected young people."
--Brooke Schnittman, MA, PCC, BCC, founder of Coaching With Brooke

"There's no manual for parenting, but this book comes remarkably close! In this essential read, Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart masterfully blends deep insight and wisdom with practical, research-based strategies. She brings clarity to the complexities of teen development, thoughtfully weaving in the influence of cultural parenting differences, and offers simple yet powerful techniques that parents can implement with confidence right away. Her guidance is both accessible and impactful with loads of specific examples and scripts. This book is a heartfelt gift to parents navigating the complexities of the teen years, offering insight, empathy, and connection"
--Tera Sumpter, M.A., CCC-SLP, author of The Seeds of Learning

"As a school psychologist (and mom of a tween and teen), Love the Teen You Have by Dr. Ann Louise Lockhart deeply resonated with me! It's wise, warm, and profoundly validating. Dr. Lockhart speaks straight to the heart of parenting adolescents with compassion, clarity, and hope. This book is a game-changer--I'll be recommending it to every parent I know!"
--Dr. Rebecca Branstetter, school psychologist and CEO of Thriving Students Collective

"Raising teens is no joke, and this book is like a deep breath for every overwhelmed parent trying to do it with more intention and less guilt. Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart brings the kind of practical, compassionate advice that makes you feel seen and supported. Love the Teen You Have doesn't just help you handle the hard moments, it helps you build a stronger connection in the process."
--Katy Joy Wells, host of The Maximized Minimalist Podcast

"Love The Teen You Have feels like a hug and a handbook all in one. Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart brings the best of both worlds: her clinical expertise and her real-life, no-judgment approach as a parent coach. But what makes this book so special is how much compassion she holds for the overwhelmed parent and the teen who's just trying to figure life out. She's been a go-to for parenting support for years, so I'm not surprised at how powerful this book is!"
--Destini Davis, certified parent coach, TEDx Speaker, author of Very Intentional Parenting

"Parents have needed Love the Teen You Have for many generations--but it's finally here, thanks to Dr. Lockhart. With her expert guidance, we can raise tweens and teens in ways that help us connect and thrive with these wonderful kids, rather than fuel the divisiveness and emotional distance that's been far too prevalent, for far too long. Her work compels us to feel genuinely good about our relationships, while also helping our children flourish."
--Sarah R. Moore, author of Peaceful Discipline, founder of Dandelion Seeds Positive Parenting

"If you have children in your life, you are going to want to pick up Love The Teen You Have. You don't have to be a parent, you only need a desire to learn how to have better relationships with those in your life. This book will give you an insight into behaviors you might be seeing, and why you might be reacting a certain way to things that happen. Through stories, practical strategies and step by step scenarios, this book could impact not only your life, but the children you love."
--Deanna J Cornelius, NCC, play therapist

"Dr. Lockhart debunks the old adage, 'Do as I say, not as I do, ' with both scientific rigor and heart. Love the Teen You Have is a roadmap to the complex dance of thoughtful communication, emotional regulation, and modeling required to have the relationship you want with your teen, while also preparing them for independence."
--Penny Williams, parenting coach, author of Boy Without Instructions

"Dr. Lockhart has written a beautiful guide for parents who are navigating the topsy-turvy ride that is parenting an adolescent. She offers some refreshing insight specifically into what it means to grow--for both the parent and the teen! Pulling from her vast experience, Dr. Lockhart shows parents that adolescence is not something to just survive. It is something to lean into, love, and learn from so you and your teen come out the other side thriving."
--Dr. Vanessa Lapointe, parenting coach and author of Discipline Without Damage and Parenting Right From the Start

"Reading Love the Teen You Have feels like taking a deep breath. Dr. Lockhart reminds us that love and conflict can coexist--and gives us the tools to show up with grace and steadiness. With warmth and expertise, Dr. Lockhart delivers a guide that's both clinically informed and incredibly relatable. Every parent of a teen should read this book."
--Alyssa Blask Campbell, M. Ed., CEO of Seed & Sew, author Tiny Humans, Big Emotions

"With wisdom and warmth Dr. Ann Louise Lockhart writes about conflict that doesn't feel contentious and connection that doesn't feel like interference. Love the Teen You Have offers example after example of quick fixes to use right away and strategies to implement for years to come. Raising my children into truly good humans is my most important work. Dr. Ann Louise Lockhart and her important work feels like accompaniment in the kindest way."
--Allison Sullivan, ministry leader and content creator, mother of six

"Dr. Lockhart is the steady, encouraging, optimistic voice that caregivers of adolescents need to move through this time of transition in a way that leaves the teens feeling capable and accepted. She weaves narrative and practicality throughout this book, while making the science of connection clear for the reader. Her practical advice guides adults to build a relationship with the teens in their life in a way that offers clear expectations and skill-building. Her inclusive language paints a picture that all families can see themselves moving towards. Thank you for this resource!"
--Casey O'Roarty, M.Ed, parent coach, and host of the Joyful Courage podcast

"As parents raising our own tweens, this book felt like a lifeline. Dr. Lockhart offers real-world, compassionate guidance that helps parents move from constant conflict to meaningful connection with their teens. It's science-backed, actionable, and exactly what overwhelmed parents need to navigate these challenging years with more confidence and calm."
--Lori Long, PhD, Mallory Yee, PhD, & Katie Severson, MS, CCC-SLP, co-founders of the Childhood Collective and hosts of the Shining with ADHD podcast

"I want to pick it up over and over because it's just so accessible and well-organized, offering a deep understanding of principles and concrete strategies parents can implement easily. Ann-Louise's tone is warm, compassionate, and positive. It's my new favorite parent recommendation and gift!"
--Seth Perler, M.Ed., Gifted Education Executive Function, ADHD & 2e coach

About the Author

Dr. Ann-Louise T. Lockhart is a Caribbean-born and raised pediatric psychologist, parent coach, and founder of A New Day Pediatric Psychology. Her insights have been featured by the Today Show, PBS Kids for Parents, ABC News, Meta, HuffPost, Parents, and The New York Times. Known for her relatable, real-talk approach, Dr. Lockhart blends clinical expertise with lived experience as a mom of two. With 20 years of experience, she helps overwhelmed parents build stronger, healthier relationships with their tweens and teens--especially those navigating ADHD, executive functioning challenges, anxiety, and big emotions.