The Everything Tween Book: A Parent's Guide to Surviving the Turbulent Pre-Teen Years

by Linda Sonna

Has your daughter started wearing makeup and thinking about boys - years before you dreamed it could happen? Are you concerned that your son has been acting up and talking back - while you’re sure you should still be his hero?
As you know, the ''tween'' years, which fall between the ages of eight and twelve, can often be a challenging time for both you and your child. The Everything Tween Book , written by child psychologist Dr. Linda Sonna, helps you navigate the trying years between childhood and adolescence. From addressing such serious issues as eating disorders and school violence to learning tolerance for pink and blue hair, The Everything Tween Book helps you understand and cope with your child’s psychological, social, and emotional needs.
The Everything Tween Book provides sound, professional advice
Packed with practical advice and reliable tips to help you get through the worst conflicts, The Everything Tween Book ensures that you stay sane while your tween blossoms into a healthy, happy, and mature young adult.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Misty · Rating 4 out of 5]

For some reason I really hate the word "tween" but so far this book has been right on. It's nice to know that I'm not crazy and neither are my kids. It turns out they're NORMAL and it's all a "tween" thing. Who knew?

I liked this book as it really got me thinking about my kids and how I can understand them and relate to them better. As with all parenting books you take what you feel good about and leave the rest for someone else. The last few chapters were a little depressing for me though. It gave alot of statistics and "facts" about the temptations kids face and at what ages. It was sad and scary to think that my kids are getting old enough to know things and be faced with choices already that could change their lives for the worse. I didn't sign up to let my kids grow up so fast, how can I slow it down?

[Glen Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having raised two children myself and now having a tween grandchild, I was looking for someone to coach me on the nuances of how to deal with these tricky years. Sonna is easy to read, deals with the issues that need dealing with, and is relevant to today's issues. She has some very good suggestions and draws attentions to some very valid issues. I highly recommend her.

[Lizzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far...I've learned kind of what I already knew...and still don't like, but hopefully am learning to deal with it better.

Example? 'Tweens' see EVERYTHING in black & white, which means they MUST argue over every single little point because they don't understand 'NUANCES'! VERY annoying.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a great reference book and I'll be refering back to it constantly over the next few years for both of my girls

[Celine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit dated at times when they mention using palm pilots or with the language used around boys, girls, sexual orientation... but besides that a lot of great food for thought. I feel like many chapters could be firmed up. I usually like stories to relate to but the ones here seemed a bit too made up to fit the point. Still, I learned a lot that will surely help me as my tween grows up

[Amy Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wish there was an updated version to address online concerns; however, I found most of the information relevant

[VBergen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is easy to read and very organized. It has some good advices, and other advices not so great, but good book overall.

[Gretchen Fatouros · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book & my boys are 11 & 12 (later Tweens).

I recently began to realize their needs are changing & knew I needed to start making changes to help. I'm feeling better prepared & less scared of this new phase.

This book is a little out-dated here-and-there, but mostly great! Even if you felt comfortable in some areas, it's great to see it in writing! And, yes, I skipped a few chapters & sections that didn't apply to me.

Written in 2003, so it is 10 years old. An example is mentioning "Palm Pilot" at least twice. Now, we're looking at iPods, iPads, etc... And the Walkman by MP3 players... "Sega unit," really? Think Wii, Xbox, etc...

I am reading a library book now, but after marking pages to note, I bought my own copy!

Definitely worth it for all tween & teen parents!

I'm feeling better prepared to handle this new step of childhood! Thank you!

[Katya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall, I loved it. It provided invaluable guidance on dealing with my tween, just as I was beginning to see a lot of the problems that the book was discussing. In fact, even before I finished reading the book, I started using a lot of its suggestions and they were clearly so helpful that it was amazing. I feel like my relationship with my tween has improved in the matter of 2 weeks! Also, the book really helped me to see that some of my child's behavior (i.e. being spaced out) is completely normal, and should not be yelled about. Which is helpful to maintain a good relationship overall.

Of course, there were some negatives. The author is pretty opinionated about certain things (i.e. early day care is bad). But - overall I found the suggestions extremely helpful, very timely and very useful.

Highly recommend it.

[Jason · Rating 2 out of 5]

A perspective on parenting, which is always useful. Walked away with some ideas and techniques to try and milestones to be aware of. A rather short book covering a wide topic, so it was necessarily shallow. Not a good reference, as it doesn't cite studies or present much in the way of fact or statistics; rather, Linda presents her expert advice on various topics. The intended audience appears to be suburban America soccer-parents trying to interface 1950s ideals with 21st century challenges, and does not account much for social or cultural relativism or diversity.

[Candace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm LOVING this book. Just a few chapters left, and it is dead on for my 9-year-old. It's SO nice to know that this is an actual defined phase, and I'm not crazy, and she will grow out of it, and I'm not the only one with a kid acting like a teenager WAY before her teenage years!! Lots of great insight and advice for those with 9 to 12 year old children! Update! This is essential for parents!

[Anoopa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't align myself with all their thinking: such as the waffling between different parenting styles: authoratative(sp?), authoratarian and permissive (by all accounts the first is the best); However this book was very useful for me, as far as understanding different issues kids face at this age and also how to address them.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This will be a book I refer to a lot the next few years! Good stuff!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm going back and forth to this book. It's a good reference. I'm just entering the "Tweens" with my daughter.

[Lee Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is good for showing where your tween's head is at. The "Everything" format makes it easy to skim through and find topics of interest.

[Glitter · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Molly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't feel like I learned anything new or helpful. I wouldn't recommend this book.