Raising a Teenager: Parents and the Nurturing of a Responsible Teen

by Jeanne Elium, Don Elium

Parents want their teenagers to be two things: high school graduates and decent human beings.

The tools for helping our teenage children attain each of these deceptively simple, vital goals are active and continuous communication combined with unconditional, loving support. Parenting experts Jeanne and Don Elium believe that any time is the right time to talk to our teens and--most importantly--to listen to them. Not feeling heard is the number-one complaint among adolescents about their parents. RAISING A TEENAGER, the newest parenting book from Jeanne and Don Elium, offers practical solutions to this and many other issues facing parents of teens today.

246 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1999

Reviews

[Douglas Lord · Rating 2 out of 5]

This guide encourages a broad and gentle approach to parenting teens. The book covers little new ground as a practical parenting tool, instead parroting expertise found in the Q&A sections of books like John Rosemond's Teen Proofing (LJ 11/15/98). The writing is often dramatic (teens are on a constant "search for truth") and contradictory (computer games are alternately "life negating" and "lifelines"); such issues like sexuality, drugs, and work are covered superficially. The Eliums (Raising a Family: Living on Planet Parenthood, LJ 5/15/97) also encourage consideration of alternative parenting techniques; few techniques are clearly explored, however. For example, frequent mention of the Waldorf method does not include consideration of its root belief system, theosophy. Interested parents will be compelled to find more detail elsewhere. Readers interested in developing a theoretical parenting philosophy may find useful information, but few will learn helpful, practical suggestions for day-to-day parenting.
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[Phyllis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on raising teens.