As a parent, you must wear all the hats: doctor, disciplinarian, nutritionist, counselor, coach, entertainer, educator, etc. How about "career counselor?" For most parents, that hat doesn't fit as comfortably. Many parents feel the extent of their career guidance is contained in these encouraging words of wisdom, "You'll be great at anything you do!" While such support is helpful, it lacks the steps, activities, and essential tools that eventually result in a meaningful and successful career path for their kids. This book provides those tools. It offers ideas and insights for parents of a child at any age. It recognizes each of us parent and child as God's creation whose greater purpose can be fulfilled through our vocation. Parents will find its easy-to-read style anything but work. In fact, the book makes the career planning process invigorating and fun just like recess!

Mothers and teenage daughters argue more than any other child-parent pair on average every two-and-a-half days. These quarrels, Terri Apter shows, are attempts to negotiate changes in a relationship that is valued by both mothers and daughters. A daughter often feels her mother doesn't know or understand her, and by fighting hopes to force her mother into a new awareness of who she really is, how she has changed, and what she is now capable of doing and understanding. But mothers often misinterpret their daughter's outbursts as signs of rejection, and they may pull back feeling hurt and confused. Through case studies and conversations between mothers and daughters, Apter shows mothers how to interpret the meanings behind a daughter's angry words and how to emerge from arguments with a new closeness."

In this text, Mary Polce-Lynch draws on the latest research, including her extensive studies, to help parents understand why so many open and expressive boys turn into uncommunicative adolescents. Building on interventions developed in her clinical practice, the author provides parents with practical everyday strategies to help their sons develop a full range of emotional awareness and expression.

In this honest and insightful she said/she said guide, sixteen-year-old Natalie Fuller tells all about her adventures and misadventures from ages thirteen through sixteen. Her brother, Greg, fills in on the later teen years. And Doris, the questioning, caring (and occasionally shell-shocked) mom offers her take on such mildly eye-opening and downright life-threatening topics as...
alcohol and other drugs * sex and dating * school * appearances * partying * stealing * obsessions * secrets * lying
Promise You Won't Freak Out gives parents a complete picture of how teens really think, feel, and act. And it gives kids a better understanding of why this picture freaks their parents out. For both, it offers some very helpful information-and an inspiring example of successful parent/teen communication.

Fifteen psychologists, twelve secondary schools, four expulsions, four rehabs, two house-arrests and innumerable arguments... the cast and plot line for a season's worth of Law and Order? No. This was the real-life drama of Heather Stone's adolescence. Now in college, Heather, the once rebellious teen, has sat down with her father to pen an insider's guide for parents and teens alike.

Charles and Heather don't offer Cleaver family ideals or promise Brady Bunch thirty-minute solutions. They, instead, share the realities of their 6-year nightmare, in the hopes of fostering hope for the millions of families trying to survive the years from thirteen to eighteen. Replete with faith, honesty, and practicality, it offers readers nine practical lessons and provides a compass for even the worst tempests of teen rebellion.

"Tears, Spirit, and Heart" is a collection of poems symbolizing my travels around the world. The poems within my book takes you through my childhood playing basketball to the deserts of New Mexico to my first love to betrayal of friends.

This is a collection of my memories and emotions of my past life. These poems have been in the works since 1995 to 2003. I have wanted to write a collection of poems to best describe my travels in life and love. I feel that this collection projects my memories of my life.

"Tears, Spirit, and Heart" is a book of poems about my life. Please read the poems and take a journey through my memories, emotions, and images of my life.

TEENS UNDER THE INFLUENCE
The Truth About Kids, Alcohol, and Other Drugs—
How to Recognize the Problem and What to do About it

Katherine Ketcham and Nicholas A. Pace, M.D.


“My son relapsed one day after he was released from a 28-day treatment program. Was it the wrong kind of treatment? Does he need psychological help? What do I do now?”
—Mother of a sixteen-year-old

“Many parents are already aware of the horrific problem young Americans have with binge drinking, but it’s time to spread the alarm.”
—Editorial, The New York Times

Across the United States, in small towns and major cities, in suburbs and slums, in public and private schools, thousands of kids are experimenting with drugs. Many of them will become addicts; some will die. The first and only book to focus entirely on adolescent alcohol and other drug use, Teens Under the Influence addresses the immediate dangers that threaten these kids—exploring the short- and long-term effects of their addiction and giving parents solid, sensitive, practical advice to combat this growing epidemic.

Knowledge is the key to defeating drug addictions, and that is what this comprehensive, timely new book provides. Full of candid true stories from adolescent drug users, with facts based on the most recent scientific research, Teens Under the Influence tells you exactly what you need to know to deal with your child’s problem, covering such important topics as

• The common myths and misconceptions about drug addiction
• The crucial differences between adult and adolescent dependency
• The reasons kids get hooked
• The stages of adolescent addiction
• The different kinds of drugs kids use and combine
• Various treatment options and how to choose the best treatment for your child
• Strategies for handling relapses

Teens Under the Influence offers practical help that may save your child’s life. It may save the life of a friend. And it may save your own.

“Parents are so in need of this help. Physicians and other health care providers absolutely need this book!”
—JAMES W. WEST, M.D., Former Medical Director
Betty Ford Center

More praise for Teens Under the Influence

“Year after year the Gallup Polls show how devastating alcohol and other drug addictions are to individuals and our society as a whole. The new big threat is adolescent drug use and addiction, a problem that affects our society at all levels. Teens Under the Influence will be welcomed and applauded by parents, educators, judges, probation officers, and adolescents themselves. It will be a wonderful teaching tool, helping us to educate our children and ourselves about the facts, eliminating the many myths that cloud our thinking, and helping to eradicate the stigma of alcohol and other drug addictions.”
—GEORGE GALLUP, Chairman
The George H. Gallup International Institute
Princeton, New Jersey

“It is difficult to overestimate the importance and severity of adolescent alcohol and drug addiction, which is growing continually and also contributing to an increased rate of adolescent suicide. Strong parental leadership can make an enormous difference, but many parents do not know how to asserts that kind of positive influence. Teens Under the Influence will save lives.”
—ROBERT CANCRO, M.D.
Lucius N. Littauer Professor of Psychiatry
and Department Chair, NYU School of Medicine

In this groundbreaking work, James Garbarino, the bestselling author of Lost Boys, and Ellen deLara uncover the staggering extent and consequences of schoolyard bullying and classroom hostility, flat-out contradicting the nursery rhyme that "words can never hurt you." The authors then present evidence that teenagers -- hundreds of whom they interviewed -- have the solution to school violence, if only adults would listen.

Bullying has long been regarded as a way of life. Ever since Columbine, however, student reactions to harassment and intimidation are, finally, driving parents to consider this phenomenon seriously. And Words Can Hurt Forever teaches parents to accept reality (bullying occurs daily), challenge old beliefs ("Kids will be kids" or "If I lived through it, so can they"), and ally with other parents to take on the school system. Revelatory and ultimately uplifting, And Words Can Hurt Forever doesn't just highlight the problem, but offers steps that can be taken -- must be taken -- to solve it.

A Parents' Guide to Adolescent Health and Well-Being

"What Dr. Spock was to the infant, Dr. López is to the adolescent."—Alan B. Wachtel, M.D., author of The Attention Deficit Answer Book

With the publication of The Teen Health Book parents will finally have a single volume to help them navigate the confusing changes of the adolescent years. Ralph I. López, a pioneer in the field of adolescent medicine, is known for his warm and accessible manner and offers health and medical information in a clear and conversational tone. Addressing both physical and emotional concerns, this essential guidebook discusses the full spectrum of adolescent issues from sexual development and eating disorders to acne, growth issues, and alcohol and drug use. In addition, a comprehensive reference section details the common and not-so-common ailments of teenagers. Dr. Spock is the bible for parents of toddlers; The Teen Health Book will be the bible for parents of teens.

"A terrific book for parents of teens (and preteens).... López writes with empathy and good humor and clearly has a thorough grounding in—and affection for—his specialty."—Library Journal, starred review

"An informative, comprehensive manual that gives parents the 'what to expect' of the teenage years."—Dallas Child

"[López's] approachability is also characteristic of his book...[which] conveys respect for parents, too."—New York Times

"A must-read for any parent of a teen or "near teen.""—S. Jean Emans, M.D., Children's Hospital, Boston

"[A] great source: easy to read, easy to understand, and a comfort for the many parents who have difficulties..."—Ira Sacker, M.D., author of Dying to Be Thin

"[A] comprehensive and highly practical guide....will definitely be a valuable resource for both parents and professionals."—Stanley Turecki, M.D., author of The Difficult Child

"Dr. López knows adolescents and, more importantly, he likes them and cares about them....an indispensable guide for parents and adolescents."—Charlene C. Giannetti, co-author of The Roller-Coaster Years, Parenting 911, and Cliques

Stop the Hurting

Mary Pipher's bestselling Reviving Ophelia triggered widespread interest in the culture of preteen and teenage girls and the seeming epidemic of relational aggression (bullying) among them. Gossip, teasing, forming cliques, and other cruel behaviors are the basis of this bullying, which harms both victim and aggressor. Until now, no one has been able to offer practical and effective solutions that stop girls from hurting each other with words and actions. But in Girl Wars, two experts explain not only how to prevent such behavior but also how to intervene should it happen, as well as overcome the culture that breeds it.

Illustrated by compelling true stories from mothers and girls, the authors offer effective, easy-to-implement strategies that range from preventive to prescriptive, such as how to

• Adopt a "help, don't hurt" strategy
  
• Provide positive role models
  
• Teach communication skills online and off
  
• Stress assertiveness, not aggressiveness
  
• Learn conflict resolution skills
  
• Identify alternatives to bullying behavior
  

With their combined experience in offering and evaluating programs that combat bullying, the authors show that girls not only want to help rather than hurt each other, they can do so with guidance from concerned adults.

Written by the founders of Generations of Virtue (various women and teenagers), this set of booklets is specifically designed to help guide girls and their mothers through the passage from girlhood to womanhood. These books focus on the first period and explore the idea that women are blessed with God's gift to be able to give life. Our culture has made a woman's period out to be a burden, but our desire is to communicate the wonder of God's creation and celebrate the positive aspects of womanhood, not the negatives. Women's Wisdom: A Mother's Guide- Are you anxious about your daughter starting her period? Generations of Virtue has compiled a wonderful resource for mothers to lovingly guide their daughters into womanhood. This book contains ideas on how to celebrate with your daughter, an informative section on the biology behind women's bodies, how and when to tell your daughter about her period, and some of the surprises associated with a developing daughter (for instance, mood swings). This biblically-focused book can help every mother explain some of the intricacies of womanhood to her precious girl. This book is for Mothers of preteen girls.

Written by the founders of Generations of Virtue (various women and teenagers), this set of three booklets is specifically designed to help guide girls and their mothers through the passage from girlhood to womanhood. These books focus on the first period and explore the idea that women are blessed with God's gift to be able to give life. Our culture has made a women's period out to be a burden, but our desire is to communicate the wonder of God's creation and celebrate the positive aspects of womanhood, not the negatives. Celebrating Womanhood- Having your period is something to celebrate, and this booklet explains why. The second book in the Beautifully Made series, Celebrating Womanhood covers subjects like "PMS," which products to use and how to use them, tips on health, and much more. You and your daughter can share quality mother-daughter time as you read and discuss this book; afterwards, she can keep the booklet as a continuous reference. Biblically centered, this book will give your daughter an encouraging message about her period. Recommended as a gift for your daughter at the start of her first period.

The funny thing about being a parent, first we take the test, and then we get the lesson! I have two sons, ages twelve and fifteen, and I wanted to get some expert advice that would help us with our "Negotiating Moments." I went looking for information on the Web and in bookstores that could help me with the fine art of negotiating with kids. However, I found very little. As my first son became a knucklehead teenager, I began to realize that our negotiating moments were getting a little more heated, and his reasons and abilities to argue negotiate were very pathetic and infantile. As a parent, I became very nervous and concerned. I knew that I was going to have a tremendous effect on my son's destiny, because as a parent, I was going to set the stage for his life.
Our experiences, family relationships, daily rituals and motivations all form the way we run our households. We teach our children how to deal (negotiate) with others by modeling this behavior during interactions with them and others. This life skill is something they will take with them throughout their entire life. I believe that their future happiness and success will be directly affected by the outcome of the negotiating moments they experience at home.
I began to look at how I negotiate in my life, both at home and at work, and a light bulb went on. That is when I decided to write a book on this topic myself. I really believe in the content of this book. In fact, I use the techniques in this book on a daily basis.
My vision for Argue Negotiate With Your Children And They Will Negotiate For Their Lives! is to provide something simple, but worth reading (and learning), a reference manual filled withillustrations, quotes and stories. It is an easy to understand guide packed with examples for parents and children to use (and reuse) together. These practical examples address specific issues (negotiating moments) that typically occur within and outside of the family unit. Ultimately, I would like to use this information to change a life, save a life or help a life become fun again.

Extensive Gallup research offers a unique glimpse inside the heads and hearts of today's teens. A must-have for parents, youth workers, and teachers.

A comprehensive overview of teenage obesity and what parents and teens can do to overcome weight problems

The first book to focus on the day-to-day experiences of adolescents dealing with sexual identity issues, Always My Child provides the insights and practical strategies parents need to support their kids and cope themselves.

Parents whose children are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or who are going through a "questioning phase" are often in the dark about what their children face every day. As a result, offering support that will comfort and fortify them feels like solving a puzzle with missing pieces.

In Always My Child, Kevin Jennings supplies the missing pieces by guiding parents through the world their child inhabits. He explains what these teens often encounter -- teasing and harassment -- and offers solutions for parents who want to better understand their LGBTQ children and learn how to protect their self-esteem. He offers advice, including how to:

• Initiate constructive communication with their child
  
• Respond effectively to frequently asked questions
  
• Recognize depression and signs of drug abuse and harassment
  
• Successfully advocate for their child's well-being outside the home
  

Always My Child makes it possible for parents to create the kind of relationship with their children that allows them to grow into emotionally healthy adults.

"Parents and young adults alike should benefit from the advice in Apter's insightful book."—Washington Post

What do young people at the threshold of adulthood really need and want? Why do so many responsible and motivated teenagers become young adults who are still dependent, financially and emotionally, on their parents? Why are many young people today so quick to leave childhood behind, but so slow to become adults?

In this wise and compassionate book, Terri Apter debunks outdated and misguided ideas about maturity: Acting in the name of love, many parents withdraw emotional or practical support, thinking it best for a son or daughter to solve his or her own problems—even to suffer alone the consequences of mistakes. Apter shows us that young adults actually need a parent's guidance and support, while also requiring respect and independence. Based on carefully observed case studies and current research, this book describes how we can support young people through a crucial stage in their development.

From the author of the highly successful Maybe You Know My Kid comes a desperately needed follow-up–the first comprehensive guide for dealing with the unique challenges of raising an adolescent with ADHD.

Adolescence is a tumultuous turning point for everyone, but for teens with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, it can be especially challenging, and for some of their parents, downright terrifying. Predictably, stress ensues over inconsistent or poor school performance and over inevitable decisions regarding higher education and life after high school. Adolescents with ADHD get more traffic tickets, have higher school-expulsion and drop-out rates, and are more likely to experiment with alcohol and drugs.

Maybe You Know My Teen brims with management strategies for parents new to ADHD as well as those who have coped with it throughout their child’s life. Explaining the roots of the disorder clearly and extensively, while discussing situations most likely to cause symptoms to manifest themselves, ADHD authority Mary Fowler presents step-by-step advice, along with in-depth personal stories and first-person advice from leading experts in the field. This is the one-of-a-kind lifesaver thousands have been awaiting.

Parents: Does your teen withdraw to his or her room at every opportunity? Does she talk with you about her friends? Does he participate in discussions at meals? Does your teen want you to see projects from school? When is the last time you actually went into your teen's room and looked at what's hanging on the walls and sitting on the shelves?

Teens: Do your parents hide behind the newspaper? Do they always have to work when you've got a game, a recital, or an open house at school? Is there anything you do together anymore? When was the last time they took a walk, a bike ride, or even a trip to get ice cream with you?

When did that sudden gap divide your home into territories staked and claimed, with music blasting through the halls and fists banging on doors to turn down the stereo/TV/video game? Teens, when did you start seeing your parents as your enemies instead of your heroes? And parents, when did you start seeing your teens as crazy little demons instead of your loving children?

Finally, there is a solution for both sides, and one that will not only bridge that gap but show parents and teens alike how to prevent it. Jay McGraw is the ideal person to write a book for both parents and teens. A bestselling author by the age of twenty-one and son of number one New York Times bestseller Phillip C. McGraw, Ph.D., known to millions worldwide as Dr. Phil, Jay has seen the parent-teen battle from all angles. In this groundbreaking work, he introduces a new plan for both teens and their parents to work through the issues that divide them and, in the process, rediscover the love that initially defined their relationship.

Jay works from both sides -- sharing the perspectives of parent and teen as the former struggles for control, the latter for independence. He explains to parents how their teenagers wish to be treated, cared for, and even disciplined, and he shows teens how gaining power can come only from earning respect. In this entertaining, informative, and life-changing book, Jay gives instructions to both sides of the familial gap on:

• Dos and Don'ts for Parents and Teens
  
• Parent and Teen Myths
  
• Discovering Your Needs
  
• Tuning In to the Needs of Others
  
• Ten Ways to Bridge the Gap and Reconnect
  

In finding a common ground and, even more important, a common respect for each other, parents and teens can break down the walls, unlock the doors, and welcome each other back into one another's lives again.