Help Me Help My Teen: Supporting our teens through tough times

by Maggie Dent

Adolescence has always been a time of huge transformation, but today's teens deal with challenges that parents may never have imagined. An increasingly digital world filled with social media, gaming and harmful content, along with changing cultural norms, has intensified the pressure to excel and 'fit in' - leading to heightened levels of stress, anxiety and depression.

Maggie Dent, Australia's queen of common-sense parenting, believes that teens can handle these pressures with resilience and strength when they are supported by stable, loving connections with family, teachers and other caring adults.

Drawing on up-to-date research, a survey of modern teens and her own experiences as a teacher counsellor, mother and teen, Maggie provides clear and compassionate 'what to do' advice for some of the most difficult, sensitive topics - such as technology use, sex, drugs and alcohol, dropped school grades, mental health and identity - and shows us how we can provide a safe and supportive environment for all our teens.

Help Me Help My Teen is a reassuring, practical guide for parents to help teenagers navigate adolescence and grow into confident, capable adults.


Praise for Help Me Help My Teen

'I love Maggie's style. Quite simply, when she talks, we should listen.' Hamish Blake

Genres: Parenting

525 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 30, 2024

About the author

Commonly known as the ‘queen of common sense’, Maggie Dent has become one of Australia's favourite parenting authors and educators. She has a particular interest in the early years, adolescence and resilience, and is an undisputed 'boy champion'.

Maggie is the author of eight major books, including the bestselling 2018 release Mothering Our Boys and her 2020 release From Boys to Men. She hosts the ABC podcast, Parental As Anything. In July 2021, she is publishing a book based on the podcast called Parental As Anything: A common-sense guide to raising happy, healthy kids – from toddlers to tweens.

Maggie is a dedicated advocate to quietly changing lives in our families and communities. She is the mother of four sons and a very grateful grandmother.

Reviews

[judy jende · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Maggie Dent great Author. Lots of good knowledge well written.

[Nat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely must read, I almost think for everyone, whether youbareca parent or a young person or neither.

Today's world is developing fast, the digital age has such a huge impact, and we can't treat young people in the way we may have been treated/parented/taught growing up.

Maggie is able to write and distil information into such a straightforward, supportive and educational way, I can't believe I haven't engaged with her books or podcast sooner.

Not only has this book and information supported me in having really good conversations with my kid, but it has also helped me to accept some of the bloody stupid actions and choices from my own teen and early adult years. Far out, brains are fascinating!

This is 5⭐️ all the way.

[Paulette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love Maggie Dent. She does an exceptional job providing various resources and approaches to connect with kids/teens.

This book addresses various topics - What to do when my teen is struggling with:
- anxiety
- sexual or gender identity
- body image disorders
- drugs or alcohol
- social media or gaming addiction
- bullying
- self-harm

Also presents - What to do when my teen is:
- sexually active
- dealing with loss
- suicidal
- dealing with sexual harassment or violence
- neurodivergent

[Susie Pettit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not sure how this boom doesn’t have thousands of 5 star reviews! I’ve been a parent educator, parent coach to moms of teens, and a parent for more than 2 decades. If this isn’t the best resource I’ve seen on parenting teenagers, it’s in the top two. I will now be recommending this to all of my clients as it’s so extensive yet not overly dense or hard to read. Maggie tells the readers what they need to know to get into action in the business of reading teens. This is a masterpiece. Thank you!

[Michaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally recommend this book! A practical and modern approach to helping teens and dealing with issues that arise. Easy to follow. Now that I have read it, I'm feel I am going to have to buy a copy so I can go through it again and earmark all points relevant to me. Maggie Dent - you are amazing 👏 🤩. If you have teens in your life, this book is a must read 📚 ❤️.

[Emily Rovelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maggie is great, some excellent tips here for parents and high school staff.

[Claudette · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Audiobook) A very resourceful book on helping teens. She goes through a lot of information on teenage issues, including social media and vaping. This is a good book for parents and teachers.

[Maya Kukudzhanova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the book, actually love all the books by Meggie Dent and treasure them! Thank you!