A Survival Guide to Parenting Teens - by Joani Geltman (Paperback)

About the Book

The no-nonsense guide you need to get your teen talking, listening, and back on track!

Book Synopsis

The teenage years will bring problems that will make any parent long for the days of their childhood. However, you're not alone! This invaluable resource tackles all of the issues that you can possibly encounter with your teen.

Oh to be able to return to the days of messy bedrooms and preteen attitudes! Now as parents of teenagers, the days have the potential of bringing us not-so-fun issues like sexting, cyber-bullying, and eating disorders. Let's not forget the old standbys of drugs, alcohol, and depression. As much as you pray that your child will be the shining exception, as their parent you must still be prepared!

Will you know what to do when a naked picture of your daughter gets forwarded by her "boyfriend" to the entire school? How will you respond when your child is bullied online--or is the bully himself?

A Survival Guide to Parenting Teens has thought through all the issues you haven't, covering a broad range of issues including:

• sex,
• drinking,
• drugs,
• depression,
• defiance,
• laziness,
• conformity,
• entitlement, and more

Parenting expert Joani Geltman approaches 80 uncomfortable topics with honesty and a dash of humor. She reveals what your teens are thinking and feeling--and what developmental factors are involved. A Survival Guide to Parenting Teens explains how to approach each problem in a way that lets your kid know you "get it" and leads to truly productive conversations.

From the Back Cover

The quitter. The narcissist. The clone. The smartphone addict, eyes fixed on the tiny screen, doing . . . what?

There's a strange new creature living under your roof. Your job now is to figure out what makes your teen tick, and to steer them to a productive path--away from the lures and dangers of drinking, drugging, sexting, bullying, and other bad decisions.

A Survival Guide to Parenting Teens makes it easier than ever before. Cutting through the teen drama and parental confusion, the book delivers fast answers and targeted solutions to 80 behaviors that drive parents nuts. Just locate the problem you're dealing with, and you'll find a brief but insightful analysis of what your teen is really thinking and feeling, along with smart, effective advice on what exactly you should say and do. By acting quickly, calmly, and knowledgeably, you can halt your teen's spiral, open up the lines of communication, and get your child back into a positive, responsible, and respectful place.

Advance Praise for A Survival Guide to Parenting Teens

"A Survival Guide to Parenting Teens is brimming with practical, useful advice; overflowing with humor and warmth; packed with wit and wisdom. An easy read-through, but also a hugely valuable reference for those moments when you need help NOW."

-- Edward Hallowell, MD, founder of The Hallowell Centers

"When it comes to our kids, how often do we all wish a parenting expert was right there telling us how to deal with each situation that stumps us? The best thing about this book is we can look up the problem we're facing and get a quick-fix answer. Because honestly, as parents, who has time to read a whole book on this stuff?"

-- Sara Gilbert, mom, actress, co-host of The Talk, and author of The Imperfect Environmentalist

Joani Geltman, MSW, has a master's degree in social work and is an expert in child development and parenting. She presents her popular course, Adolescent Psychology, to schools and community groups; hosts Ask the Expert gatherings for parents; and provides home-based parent coaching services.

For more information on Joani and her work, visit her site at: www.joanigeltman.com.

Review Quotes

..".a valuable guidebook filled with humor and advice that all parents should read regardless of how old their kids are..." --Twin Cities Frugal Mom

..".book you'll keep in your night stand, or in the kitchen drawer, or in your purse (because we've all had those days, am I right?)." --BlogHer

..".gives parents the ammunition, information, and permission to meet these parenting challenges with open eyes and firm resolve." --Publishers Weekly

..".power-packed resource for parents and caregivers who need a little help (or want to prepare in advance for) parenting their teens well." --The Homemade Creative

.."Geltman's advice will arm you with knowledge and tools that you can use to better understand and parent your teen. I highly recommend it." --Mother Daughter Book Club

"Every time I hear a friend tells me that their kid is 'driving them crazy', I recommend this guide!" --Care's Online Book Club

"If you, or any you know, are the parent or relative of a teen, this book is for you." --Work & Family Life

"It's a great and informative read that you won't regret if you have or will soon have a teen in your home." --Mom on the Side

"It's like having my very own 'therapist' on my night table, to give me advice any time I need it." --Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

"One of the five best books for parenting teens...This book is awesome for parents having trouble opening those ever-clogged lines of communication with their teen." --Tampa Bay Parenting

"Parents of teens needing a supportive, insightful guide to help them through the pitfalls of their child's toughest years should take a look at A Survival Guide..." --The Sun Daily

"The book is easy to understand and written with an appropriate level of humor....If you have a teenager, or a child who will soon be there, it's definitely worth getting!" --Motherhood Moment

"The book is honest, open and frank and really allows any parent to understand the issues at hand." --Dad of Divas' Review

"This is truly a fantastic book for mothers with children at any age." --Power of Moms

"Whether it is drinking and drugs to motivating a 'quitter' teen, this book has it all... Pick up A Survival Guide To Parenting Teens today." --The Baby Spot

About the Author

JOANI GELTMAN has a Masters degree in Social Work, and is an expert in child development and parenting. She presents her popular course, Adolescent Psychology, to schools and community groups, hosts Ask the Expert gatherings for parents, and provides home-based parent coaching services.