Published: July 1, 2005
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EmailTo be a teen is to constantly be asked, “What were you thinking?” Scientists have discovered in the last ten years that there are tremendous changes and transitions taking place in the adolescent brain. For parents who want to enjoy their teens and help them mature, here are some wonderful new books that explore the wonders of the teenage mind.
Why Do They Act That Way? A Survival
Guide to the Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen
by David Walsh and Nat Bennett
Free Press, 2004
Walsh wades right into the latest research on the changing and developing teen brain. He offers parents two categories of information; first he presents cutting edge research then suggests how parents can decipher what it means and how they can best use that information to communicate with their teenager. This excellent, readable combination of science, experience and common sense will give adults solid help in answering that age old question, “Why do they act this way?”
Yes, Your Teen is Crazy: Loving Your
Kid without Losing Your Mind
By Michael J. Bradley
Harbor Press, 2002
As an experienced psychologist Michael Bradley knows that laughter is a powerful tool when dealing with emotional situations. He liberally adds it to his book as he guides parents through the latest finding in adolescent brain development then explores the challenges parents face raising teenagers by using experiences from his own patients. Surprisingly, Bradley leaves parents feeling reassured and hopeful even as he demands that they update their parenting to better suit the new neurological research and the vast cultural changes teen's face today. This funny thought provoking book would be a welcome addition to any home library.
The Primal Teen: What the New Discoveries about the
Teenage Brain Tell Us about Our Kids
By Barbara Strauch
Doubleday, 2003
Parents of teenager have a wealth of new books to help them unravel the mysteries of the adolescent mind including this well-written title by Barbara Strauch. Strauch, the medical science and health editor at the New York Times has compiled top-notch research, which she then translates from medical jargon to plain English. As the mother of teenagers, she has included very candid comments from teens as well as her own insightful narration. Unlike Michael Bradley she does not tell parents what to do but she does guide them through interviews with everyone; neuroscientists, doctors, parents and kids in a successful attempt to understand what makes teenagers act and think the way they do.
Positive Discipline for Teenagers: Empowering
Your Teens and Yourself Through Kind and Firm Parenting
By Jane Nelsen and Lynn Lott
Prima Publishing, 1994
Parents familiar with the Positive Discipline series by Jane Nelsen and Lynn Lott will be delighted with this title. Nelsen and Lott are both licensed therapists and have authored over a dozen wonderful books dealing with discipline, such as Positive Discipline A-Z. True to form in this book the authors again focus on understanding and communication, two important tools in parenting any age child. Nelsen and Lott also add lots of teen specific information and suggestions. This commonsense guide is another great tool for parents who want to be ready for the challenges that come with raising a teenager.
