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How to Raise Your Parents: A Teen Girl's Survival Guide
Being a teen (or the parent of a teen) doesn't have to be so hard. How to Raise Your Parents will help teens and their parents navigate those years between training bras and keys to the family car. In a voice teens will relate to and parents will appreciate, author Sarah O'Leary Burningham offers smart advice about negotiation and parental hot buttons and a little insight about what the world looks like from a parent's point of view.
144 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2008
6 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Sarah O'Leary Burningham
5 books8 followersEven though I’m not technically a teenager anymore, I still consider myself a teenager at heart. I love stealing my sisters’ clothes and a good door slam, and since I write young adult books, I keep up on things cool through all the teenagers I know and meet.
I got the idea for my first book, How to Raise Your Parents: A Teen Girl’s Survival Guide, when I was 16. After coming home late for curfew (again) and fighting with my parents about various forms of punishment, I realized they were as clueless as I was. (This was a major revelation for me!) The idea for the book was born. But I didn’t stop there.
While interviewing and surveying thousands of teenagers across the country, I realized dating (or lack thereof) is as big of a mystery as parents, and I got started on my second book, Boyology: A Teen Girl’s Crash Course in All Things Boy.
I also write dear sarah, an advice column on ABC Family’s website for their hit show The Secret Life of the American Teenager. I have the best job in the world!
When I’m not writing or working at my day job in book publishing, you can probably find me at the movies (I’m a total movie addict–Netflix and the big screen), riding my road bike, learning to sew, trying (not very well) to cook, and perfecting the art of napping. I’m addicted to Dole strawberry popsicles and have to limit myself to one box a week. It sounds easy but trust me, it is not. I love to read and get tons of great book recommendations from teens, so keep them coming! I also drive a cherry red Vespa, spend a ridiculous amount of time on Twitter, and am hard at work on my next book about teen friendships. I consider myself a pretty good friend, but as in all things, I’m still learning. Thank goodness I have such amazing friends to take care of me. I’m a lucky girl.
I got the idea for my first book, How to Raise Your Parents: A Teen Girl’s Survival Guide, when I was 16. After coming home late for curfew (again) and fighting with my parents about various forms of punishment, I realized they were as clueless as I was. (This was a major revelation for me!) The idea for the book was born. But I didn’t stop there.
While interviewing and surveying thousands of teenagers across the country, I realized dating (or lack thereof) is as big of a mystery as parents, and I got started on my second book, Boyology: A Teen Girl’s Crash Course in All Things Boy.
I also write dear sarah, an advice column on ABC Family’s website for their hit show The Secret Life of the American Teenager. I have the best job in the world!
When I’m not writing or working at my day job in book publishing, you can probably find me at the movies (I’m a total movie addict–Netflix and the big screen), riding my road bike, learning to sew, trying (not very well) to cook, and perfecting the art of napping. I’m addicted to Dole strawberry popsicles and have to limit myself to one box a week. It sounds easy but trust me, it is not. I love to read and get tons of great book recommendations from teens, so keep them coming! I also drive a cherry red Vespa, spend a ridiculous amount of time on Twitter, and am hard at work on my next book about teen friendships. I consider myself a pretty good friend, but as in all things, I’m still learning. Thank goodness I have such amazing friends to take care of me. I’m a lucky girl.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 3, 2020
Yes! This is the book I have been needing! This gave me great advice, read my mind on how I feel and the quizzes are SO TRUE!!!!! I can't believe an adult wrote this. It sounded like it was coming from a slightly older me! <3 Definitely going to have to reread this multiple times! I read it in a day!
September 23, 2008
Written in the chatty, personal style of an advice column, How to Raise Your Parents: A Teen Girl’s Survival Guide offers surprisingly constructive and insightful advice to teens and parents alike. Using a mix of humor and hip appeal, candidness and common sense, Burningham helps teens navigate and negotiate their way through a range of topics they typically battle over with their parents. Sexuality questions, from how to get permission to date, bring home a boyfriend, come out to parents, or deal with getting caught making out; finance and responsibility issues, such as deciding whether to get a job or keep an allowance, obtaining a driver’s license, a car or paying for insurance and gas; managing grade and school assignment expectations; earning privacy and independence at home, online, in friendships and fashion; and a host of other potentially contentious subjects are dissected and analyzed with an eye to suggesting what a teen might reasonably ask for. Parents will appreciate the emphasis on understanding their point of view. The book does have its shortcomings. Burningham tries a little too hard to be the cool insider, an act which may turn off her ostensible audience. One wonders, as well, whether teens would bother reading a book like this, though younger tweens and teens from ages 11 to 14 and parents might eagerly devour it. Bratz-styled illustrations add to the tween appeal of the book, in spite of some content more relevant to older high school aged teens. Additionally, be aware that the book speaks to more affluent youth; discussions of holding down a job aside, references to Volvos and several hundred dollar pairs of boots are more the rule than the exception.
September 30, 2012
"How to Raise Your Parents: A Teen Girl's Survival Guide" is an awesome advice book. Some of the advice didn't really relate to my age group for example driving, high school, and getting a job. Even though I can use this book for resources when I'm older.
I recommend this book to every teenage girl who is having trouble with there parents if it comes to respect, the cell phone, your cyber life, convincing, privacy, and the type of music you listen to. This book will help. The some advice that they give towards respect is stop rolling your eyes at your parents its basically telling them to screw off, when you argue with your parents your better off not screaming back it will get you in less trouble, and very important when your parents win the argument do not stomp off to your room because then they will get mad and start a whole new lecture on how to control your tantrums. The advice from this book is amazing. You don't even need to read the whole book, search up what you're having problems with and you will have a whole new look on the situation. The good thing about the book is that some of what parents think are in book to so now you can finally understand were your parent are coming from. If you want something for example a phone, or permission to go places with your friends after school. Do not ask your parents when they are in a bad mood because there is a 85% chance that they will say no. Also when you ask you parents for something don't go "But I really want it" in a whiny tone. Ask politely if you can have also explain to them why you want it and the benefits of having it. Sort of like a grown up debate. Then you will show them you are mature.
I really liked the book hopefully now I will argue with my parents less.
I recommend this book to every teenage girl who is having trouble with there parents if it comes to respect, the cell phone, your cyber life, convincing, privacy, and the type of music you listen to. This book will help. The some advice that they give towards respect is stop rolling your eyes at your parents its basically telling them to screw off, when you argue with your parents your better off not screaming back it will get you in less trouble, and very important when your parents win the argument do not stomp off to your room because then they will get mad and start a whole new lecture on how to control your tantrums. The advice from this book is amazing. You don't even need to read the whole book, search up what you're having problems with and you will have a whole new look on the situation. The good thing about the book is that some of what parents think are in book to so now you can finally understand were your parent are coming from. If you want something for example a phone, or permission to go places with your friends after school. Do not ask your parents when they are in a bad mood because there is a 85% chance that they will say no. Also when you ask you parents for something don't go "But I really want it" in a whiny tone. Ask politely if you can have also explain to them why you want it and the benefits of having it. Sort of like a grown up debate. Then you will show them you are mature.
I really liked the book hopefully now I will argue with my parents less.
April 24, 2015
Title:How to Raise Your Parents Author:Sarah O’Leary Burmingham 4 stars pages: 144
Ever wonder what your parents are thinking when you walk into their room asking for a piercing on your ear? How do they feel when you walk out of the door with booty shorts and a revealing tank top? Is there a way to avoid arguments? Maybe you’re changing, but you’re certainly not the only one! ‘How to Raise Your Parents” gives credible information to help both teens and parents reach out to each other, understanding the obstacles that will occur in the final years childhood.
This was one of the few non-fiction books I enjoyed, because instead of just information, the colorful pictures and diagrams makes it effortless to understand. The author of this book was a teen when she began drafting the questions, so a large amount of the tips could be used in my personal life. There were a few tips that doesn’t make the situation better, some like, “deal with it!”, or “watch your attitude!”, because that’s what we’re trying to do. The author is really empathetic, because she had experienced the same kinds of trouble when she was younger, and knows what readers are craving for advice. I felt sympathetic if she had been through all those situations, because some of the events were like, “if your parents are spanking you…”, or “if your parents punish you by making you skip dinner”. That has never happened to me but I can imagine what it would feel like if that’s the advice a reader is looking for. Over all, Sarah O’Leary Burmingham put together a book that recognizes the strenghths and delicacy of the two different perspectives of a parent raising a stubborn growing teen, and a teen raising an oblivious embarrasing parent.
Ever wonder what your parents are thinking when you walk into their room asking for a piercing on your ear? How do they feel when you walk out of the door with booty shorts and a revealing tank top? Is there a way to avoid arguments? Maybe you’re changing, but you’re certainly not the only one! ‘How to Raise Your Parents” gives credible information to help both teens and parents reach out to each other, understanding the obstacles that will occur in the final years childhood.
This was one of the few non-fiction books I enjoyed, because instead of just information, the colorful pictures and diagrams makes it effortless to understand. The author of this book was a teen when she began drafting the questions, so a large amount of the tips could be used in my personal life. There were a few tips that doesn’t make the situation better, some like, “deal with it!”, or “watch your attitude!”, because that’s what we’re trying to do. The author is really empathetic, because she had experienced the same kinds of trouble when she was younger, and knows what readers are craving for advice. I felt sympathetic if she had been through all those situations, because some of the events were like, “if your parents are spanking you…”, or “if your parents punish you by making you skip dinner”. That has never happened to me but I can imagine what it would feel like if that’s the advice a reader is looking for. Over all, Sarah O’Leary Burmingham put together a book that recognizes the strenghths and delicacy of the two different perspectives of a parent raising a stubborn growing teen, and a teen raising an oblivious embarrasing parent.
November 6, 2012
Reviewed by Erikka Adams, aka "The Bookbinder" for TeensReadToo.com
Ever wonder what your mom or dad is thinking when they won't let you walk out of the house in a perfectly good outfit? Or how about when they come up with some crazy rule that doesn't make any sense?
And parents, what is your teen thinking when they choose a ropes course adventure summer camp over horseback riding? And what about those "trashy" books they read?
Welcome to the world of raising a parent....or, I mean, raising a teen?
Sarah O'Leary Burningham uses a voice both funny and charming to reach out to parents and teens. She recognizes the strengths and merits of both units and tries to highlight and outline ways that teens and parents can work together to overcome communication obstacles.
Be sure to check out the funny way that she does this for teens with her "parent profiles."
Ever wonder what your mom or dad is thinking when they won't let you walk out of the house in a perfectly good outfit? Or how about when they come up with some crazy rule that doesn't make any sense?
And parents, what is your teen thinking when they choose a ropes course adventure summer camp over horseback riding? And what about those "trashy" books they read?
Welcome to the world of raising a parent....or, I mean, raising a teen?
Sarah O'Leary Burningham uses a voice both funny and charming to reach out to parents and teens. She recognizes the strengths and merits of both units and tries to highlight and outline ways that teens and parents can work together to overcome communication obstacles.
Be sure to check out the funny way that she does this for teens with her "parent profiles."
August 17, 2010
This book is like an overly long quiz from the likes of a fashion magazine. It is cliché in its dealings with teen parent relationships and is trivial at times with too much emphasis placed upon common stereotypes. In the book’s defence, there are great ideas and suggestions for ways teens can begin important and serious dialogues with their parents. It also provides some of the parental logic behind things parents might not always take the time to explain, such as curfew and ground rules for dating. All in all, this is not a book I would have read as a teen, but I can see its potential to appeal to some.
Read
June 16, 2015In purchasing this book on Amazon (for free, thankfully), I was expecting a book that would help a teenager better understand their parents, while continuing to respect them. While the author did help readers understand parents better, the respect wasn't there. Many of the advice given to teens through this book is disrespectful, and occasionally downright rude to their parents.
While I may not have had the best teenage years myself due to fights with my parents, I still strongly believed in respecting them and their authority. It's saddening to see that this author is encouraging girls to act this way. Don't pick up this book unless you're prepared for what she has to offer.
While I may not have had the best teenage years myself due to fights with my parents, I still strongly believed in respecting them and their authority. It's saddening to see that this author is encouraging girls to act this way. Don't pick up this book unless you're prepared for what she has to offer.
April 5, 2009
A funny, down to earth book that every girl should read. It gives honest advice about almost everything a teen girl goes through with their parents. Parts of this make you laugh out loud, and other parts are sincere and should be taken seriously. It's got great tips on negotiation, curfew, cars, boys, computers, and all things that teens face.
Even if you have awesome parents (Like I do), you should read this book.
Even if you have awesome parents (Like I do), you should read this book.
May 30, 2008
I picked up this book because one of my best friends is the author. After reading several exerts out of it is the perfect book for teens. But it was also a good laugh because some of the things are so true.
July 3, 2008
I really didn't read the book cover to cover but scanned it and think that it something I will come back to as my 2 daughters get a little older it is for Teens not tweens.
Glad I have it in my good reads bookshelf for the future.
Glad I have it in my good reads bookshelf for the future.
April 13, 2009
I picked up this book out of curiousity about what it would say. The author had some interesting points on how to interact with parents, but I did not like how she often would tell kids how to act so they could get away with things.
January 27, 2016
While humorous and accurate for the most part, sometimes it felt like the author was saying to teens it's okay to trick your parents if it will keep you out of trouble or get what you really want. At other times the book seems more appropriate for school counselors.
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June 17, 2008hmm... very interesting...
May 21, 2010
For TEENAGERS!!!!!
February 22, 2013
I think it is an enjoyable read, and it is something every teenage girl should be equipped with in the real world!!!
May 10, 2013
The first book my cousin's daughter, Sarah, wrote. Great book about helping teens see things from another person's point of view and learning the value of compromise.
January 2, 2015
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!! YOU ARE A GIFT TO ALL TEENS AND TWEENS EVERYWHERE WITHOUT YOU I'D STILL BE GROUNDED RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews