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Parenting beyond the Rules: Raising Teens with Confidence and Joy
Parenting teens is one of the most challenging seasons of parenting, isn’t it? While this can be a difficult time of transition for parents and teens, there is hope. You can parent well and build a stronger relationship even through the teen years.
After 30 years of parenting five children and 20 years of working with teens, Connie Albers has witnessed the negative impact of well-intentioned but misguided parenting styles, all focused on managing teens rather than guiding them. But through learning to focus on the hearts of your teens, you can avoid those pitfalls and build relationships that last beyond the transition years as you intentionally learn about, connect with, and listen to your teens. In a world filled with distractions and devices, it is possible to guide their hearts and remain the primary influence in their lives. In Parenting beyond the Rules , you will discover how to raise a teen according to his or her strengths, talents, and personality type, as these things equip teens to manage life.
Join Connie Albers in discovering practical solutions for every parent trying to raise a responsible, godly teenager.
After 30 years of parenting five children and 20 years of working with teens, Connie Albers has witnessed the negative impact of well-intentioned but misguided parenting styles, all focused on managing teens rather than guiding them. But through learning to focus on the hearts of your teens, you can avoid those pitfalls and build relationships that last beyond the transition years as you intentionally learn about, connect with, and listen to your teens. In a world filled with distractions and devices, it is possible to guide their hearts and remain the primary influence in their lives. In Parenting beyond the Rules , you will discover how to raise a teen according to his or her strengths, talents, and personality type, as these things equip teens to manage life.
Join Connie Albers in discovering practical solutions for every parent trying to raise a responsible, godly teenager.
240 pages, Paperback
Published April 2, 2019
38 people are currently reading
390 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
March 17, 2019
Author Connie Albers has written a well thought out manual for successfully navigating the teen years! With 30 years of parenting 5 children and working with teens for 20 years, Connie does a wonderful job giving support and advice to parents.
I was immediately encouraged upon beginning the book, as Connie relates some of her family's struggles during the teen years. She provides thoughtful, balanced approaches that take into considerations not only the physical, hormonal and societal challenges teens face, but also the way parents respond to those challenges. Often it is the negative reactions teens get from well meaning parents that cause isolation, anger or withdrawal, in many cases. In order to parent well, we also must look internally at our own hearts.
Communication is essential to reaching teens, and Connie does an effortless job of carefully explaining how the attitudes we bring into our parenting journey can affect our children. We either vow to be nothing like our parents (some with good reason) or to be just like the parents we admire. Both choices require the loss of our own identity and parenting skills that perhaps those other parents did not have. Connie urges us to take stock of what skills, benefits and experiences we have from our childhoods to craft and create our own version of the best family for our teens to flourish in.
Often in parenting books, you find there are easy answers for tough questions. "Change this, do that and your kids will ______ better because of those things." However, Connie takes that notion and spins it--how much responsibility and accountability do you have for yourself and the choices you make--in order to shift our focus from our teen's issues to those we carry into parenting. You don't have to look to the family next door, your perfect sister or the parenting gurus. God gave you your teens for a reason. He knew it would be an uphill climb, but not one you can't do.
There is much hope in the book, along with questions for reflection at the end of each chapter. The questions are well curated and thought-provoking, causing the reader to take stock of the situations within that chapter and assess where their family lies in that area. At the end of the book, there are additional resources for further reading, which I appreciated. Connie explains, supports and encourages parents in a way that seems you have known her for years and are meeting over coffee to share your struggles together. This would be an excellent book for a group to go through together or for personal study and improvement. In my opinion, many families will be changed by this book's content. I also feel this book would be a great informational addition to church libraries, or a useful to for social workers, teachers, those who minister to families and children, or counselors. Anyone who works with teens could benefit from "Parenting Beyond The Rules."
I was thankful to be an early reader, thanks to NavPress and enjoyed the book immensely. All opinions are my own and I was not required to leave a review.
I was immediately encouraged upon beginning the book, as Connie relates some of her family's struggles during the teen years. She provides thoughtful, balanced approaches that take into considerations not only the physical, hormonal and societal challenges teens face, but also the way parents respond to those challenges. Often it is the negative reactions teens get from well meaning parents that cause isolation, anger or withdrawal, in many cases. In order to parent well, we also must look internally at our own hearts.
Communication is essential to reaching teens, and Connie does an effortless job of carefully explaining how the attitudes we bring into our parenting journey can affect our children. We either vow to be nothing like our parents (some with good reason) or to be just like the parents we admire. Both choices require the loss of our own identity and parenting skills that perhaps those other parents did not have. Connie urges us to take stock of what skills, benefits and experiences we have from our childhoods to craft and create our own version of the best family for our teens to flourish in.
Often in parenting books, you find there are easy answers for tough questions. "Change this, do that and your kids will ______ better because of those things." However, Connie takes that notion and spins it--how much responsibility and accountability do you have for yourself and the choices you make--in order to shift our focus from our teen's issues to those we carry into parenting. You don't have to look to the family next door, your perfect sister or the parenting gurus. God gave you your teens for a reason. He knew it would be an uphill climb, but not one you can't do.
There is much hope in the book, along with questions for reflection at the end of each chapter. The questions are well curated and thought-provoking, causing the reader to take stock of the situations within that chapter and assess where their family lies in that area. At the end of the book, there are additional resources for further reading, which I appreciated. Connie explains, supports and encourages parents in a way that seems you have known her for years and are meeting over coffee to share your struggles together. This would be an excellent book for a group to go through together or for personal study and improvement. In my opinion, many families will be changed by this book's content. I also feel this book would be a great informational addition to church libraries, or a useful to for social workers, teachers, those who minister to families and children, or counselors. Anyone who works with teens could benefit from "Parenting Beyond The Rules."
I was thankful to be an early reader, thanks to NavPress and enjoyed the book immensely. All opinions are my own and I was not required to leave a review.
March 11, 2019
Overall, I found this to be a very solid book full of great advice on how to parent your teen well, written by someone who obviously cares a lot about being a great Christian mom and who knows what she is talking about, after raising kids of her own. I also appreciated how open she was about her own parenting journey -- not just giving surface level, generic tips, but really sharing her own journey and not being afraid to admit the places where she messed up and had to try again (and that it's okay to do so!)
The ONLY thing I did not like about the book was that I felt it put Christian motherhood on a pedestal. In the introduction, the author shares how her role as a parent is THE most important role in her life, and she mentions several times throughout the book how her feelings were hurt by her teen's negative words/actions.
While I'm sure this is something a LOT of moms can really related to and benefit from, I just didn't relate. Yes, I adore my children, but they aren't the #1 people in my life. I'm a Christian first, then a wife, then a mom. My life doesn't revolve around my kids, nor do my feeling get hurt if they don't "like me." (Not saying hers does! I just didn't always personally relate to the examples she used.)
Otherwise, though, the book was excellent with lots of fantastic, applicable advice on how to raise good teens. And as far as where to get advice for raising teens, I wouldn't say it's a bad thing at all to seek the advice of someone who cares so much! (And for anyone who REALLY wants a great relationship with their teens--yes! Get this book).
Would definitely recommend.
The ONLY thing I did not like about the book was that I felt it put Christian motherhood on a pedestal. In the introduction, the author shares how her role as a parent is THE most important role in her life, and she mentions several times throughout the book how her feelings were hurt by her teen's negative words/actions.
While I'm sure this is something a LOT of moms can really related to and benefit from, I just didn't relate. Yes, I adore my children, but they aren't the #1 people in my life. I'm a Christian first, then a wife, then a mom. My life doesn't revolve around my kids, nor do my feeling get hurt if they don't "like me." (Not saying hers does! I just didn't always personally relate to the examples she used.)
Otherwise, though, the book was excellent with lots of fantastic, applicable advice on how to raise good teens. And as far as where to get advice for raising teens, I wouldn't say it's a bad thing at all to seek the advice of someone who cares so much! (And for anyone who REALLY wants a great relationship with their teens--yes! Get this book).
Would definitely recommend.
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February 20, 2019As a mom who is prone to lecture more than listen, Parenting Beyond the Rules provides straight-forward strategies for connecting to the heart of your child. Find encouragement to parent with intention and wisdom, as you foster a lifelong relationship with your teen.
March 18, 2019
There are so many amazing things to say about this book as well as the insight and wisdom Connie Albers shares on the pages within. I read it with both a pen and highlighter gripped in one hand and know with a certainty it will be revisited many times over.
First and foremost, I cannot stress enough how refreshing it was to hear an author and mother, approach the topic of parenting in the teen years with such optimism - casting the important time as an "age of opportunity" sheds new light on this season and encouraged me.
It is hard to pick out when favorite chapter or section because the valuable information builds and builds to create a picture of what can be for you and your team.
I will say; however, that after reading the chapter on clothing and how our children will express themselves, I found myself convicted. I reached out to one of my now grown stepdaughters to apologize for not handling those clothing battles more wisely. And, I now feel better equipped to deal with the same issues when my littles (4 and 9) are in the midst of these important years.
I've learned so much from this book about raising teens with confidence and joy. I believe Connie Albers summarizes her approach best:
"You can have more freedom in your parenting. Parent with principles, not from rules."
First and foremost, I cannot stress enough how refreshing it was to hear an author and mother, approach the topic of parenting in the teen years with such optimism - casting the important time as an "age of opportunity" sheds new light on this season and encouraged me.
It is hard to pick out when favorite chapter or section because the valuable information builds and builds to create a picture of what can be for you and your team.
I will say; however, that after reading the chapter on clothing and how our children will express themselves, I found myself convicted. I reached out to one of my now grown stepdaughters to apologize for not handling those clothing battles more wisely. And, I now feel better equipped to deal with the same issues when my littles (4 and 9) are in the midst of these important years.
I've learned so much from this book about raising teens with confidence and joy. I believe Connie Albers summarizes her approach best:
"You can have more freedom in your parenting. Parent with principles, not from rules."
March 15, 2019
I loved it. As a counselor who works with teens, this is the kind of thing that parents today need to read. We're so focused on making sure that there are safe spaces, and no one's feelings get hurt, that we forget to look at how this plays out in the long game...twenty years down the road. We need to build our teens up, discipline them when they need it, and give them the space they so desperately need to grow. The author does a fantastic job of providing real-world examples of how to do just this, without parenting from a place of fear. It's a scary world out there, sure, but if we don't give our teens the chance to grow up at home, they're going to have to do it without any supervision or assistance from us when they leave home.....either that, or live in the basement forever. :(
March 19, 2019
Parenting Beyond the Rules is an excellent resource for any parent who has or will soon have teens. Connie Albers addresses the changes we need to make to our parenting techniques to handle the teen years with a rare combination of humility and boldness that is refreshing and challenging all at once.
Having raised her own five children to adulthood and after working for 20 years with other teenagers, Connie has the experience to back her advice. What's more, she has Godly wisdom to impart which can only come from a life lived in humbly seeking the Lord's will for her parenting. I cannot recommend this book enough!
Having raised her own five children to adulthood and after working for 20 years with other teenagers, Connie has the experience to back her advice. What's more, she has Godly wisdom to impart which can only come from a life lived in humbly seeking the Lord's will for her parenting. I cannot recommend this book enough!
March 6, 2019
This book is one I will refer to clients again and again. Connie includes every essential element for success relationships with teens. This book is a great forerunner to Fledge: Launching Your Kids Without Losing Your Mind, and one I highly recommend as a counselor and parent coach!
March 5, 2019
This is an excellent book. It contains many practical tips for raising your child well through the teen years. Connie has been there and done that and I’m thankful that she has taken the time to share her struggles and wins with us. It’s like having a mentor in your pocket!
March 12, 2019
I like to subtitle this book, "A Five-Timer's Guide for First-Timer Teen Parents." Parenting Beyond the Rules is chocked full of practical and personal stories of how Connie persevered through her own partenting foibles (common to us all) to not just survive the teenage years with her FIVE teenagers, but to stay connected with each of them as individual people, with whom she has great relationships as adults. She tells her story honestly and that gives me HOPE. She gives wise advice from having walked through the myriad issues herself, hopefully saving me the heart ache that can come when you're a "first timer." She gives you permission to "paint" outside the lines of commonly accepted rules for parenting teens, and treat your children as humans who you can connect with as people too.
March 21, 2019
This is the book that I wish would have been around six or so years ago, BEFORE our kids were teenagers. Reading through this now, with four kids ranging in age from 12 to almost 18, I was nodding my head in agreement, especially as we learned some things the "hard way" on our parenting journey.
Albers addresses so many various topics from building a strong foundation in your relationship with your kids to not giving into the fear that can strangle you as a parent (been there!). Her heart is encouraging parents, and that is so strongly achieved in this book. Through examples of family meetings gone completely off course and other extremely relatable examples, this book is a wealth of information for parents who are either embarking or wading through the pre-teen/teen years with their kids.
Parenting teens is hard, but it can also be one of the most rewarding times in our lives and reap benefits for years to come. It's the timeframe when our kids are waking up to all the possibilities that are in front of them - and we get to have a front row seat (and part) in the adventure! The best news is that it is never too late to learn from our mistakes, take a step back, and approach things in a different manner to connect with our kids.
Here are a few passages that I really loved:
Albers addresses so many various topics from building a strong foundation in your relationship with your kids to not giving into the fear that can strangle you as a parent (been there!). Her heart is encouraging parents, and that is so strongly achieved in this book. Through examples of family meetings gone completely off course and other extremely relatable examples, this book is a wealth of information for parents who are either embarking or wading through the pre-teen/teen years with their kids.
Parenting teens is hard, but it can also be one of the most rewarding times in our lives and reap benefits for years to come. It's the timeframe when our kids are waking up to all the possibilities that are in front of them - and we get to have a front row seat (and part) in the adventure! The best news is that it is never too late to learn from our mistakes, take a step back, and approach things in a different manner to connect with our kids.
Here are a few passages that I really loved:
You're not called to manipulate a situation to get what you want out of it; you're called to love, you're called to show grace, and you're called to teach and train. Be faithful about doing that. (p. 40)
We all have hopes and expectations about what our children will become. But we often confuse our role by believing we should plan their lives instead of simply dreaming with them about what they will do. The real goal should be to equip them to be the person God created them to be and prepare them for adult life. (p. 159)
March 22, 2019
I got out my highlighter, well really my pen, because there were so many things to take in! From action points I wanted to do, to encouraging quotes I wanted to hang on to! Connie does a wonderful job of speaking from the heart as she shares her own family stories to paint a picture for us.
Parenting teens can be tough. But as Connie points out, creating and holding your relationship with them with care will carry you farther than any strict rules or planning will!
Listen. Watch your mouth. Give them space to make decisions and figure things out...with you as their safety net.
Parenting teens can be tough. But as Connie points out, creating and holding your relationship with them with care will carry you farther than any strict rules or planning will!
Listen. Watch your mouth. Give them space to make decisions and figure things out...with you as their safety net.
March 13, 2019
I love the perspective that Connie Albers has in relating to our teenage children in Parenting Beyond the Rules.
Connie helps us to discover how to raise our teens according to their strengths, talents, and personality type in a way that will equip them to manage life.
With still having 2 teens at home that we're launching, its great to slow down and rethink and learn new things as parents.
Connie helps us to discover how to raise our teens according to their strengths, talents, and personality type in a way that will equip them to manage life.
With still having 2 teens at home that we're launching, its great to slow down and rethink and learn new things as parents.
March 27, 2019
This is a great book for not only parents of teens, but also for anyone who is in a position to be an influence of a teenager. I am an aunt of a teen boy and 4 other soon to be teens. Two of my favorite quotes from the book are:
“Boundaries and rules are important and healthy, but they function best in the context of relationship. Creating this type of healthy relationship with your teen looks like establishing trust, allowing freedom, communicating well and staying consistent.”
One foundational way to establish trust with your teen is through healthy open communication. It’s critical to understand the reasoning behind your teen’s actions, and for them to understand the wisdom behind your words. Open communication takes place when you and your teen talk to each other. “
I received an early copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
“Boundaries and rules are important and healthy, but they function best in the context of relationship. Creating this type of healthy relationship with your teen looks like establishing trust, allowing freedom, communicating well and staying consistent.”
One foundational way to establish trust with your teen is through healthy open communication. It’s critical to understand the reasoning behind your teen’s actions, and for them to understand the wisdom behind your words. Open communication takes place when you and your teen talk to each other. “
I received an early copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
March 26, 2019
As a mom of two children (one eight, the other three) I am really nervous for the teen years. I have seen so many around me express the difficulties and hard times they have relating with their teen and their words of wisdom are "HANG ON!" Yikes, talk about putting the fear into someone. We are working hard to raise our children as God wants us to, with His values, principles, and ways leading us. I am so thankful for Connie Albers passion not only for the future of our teenagers but for her desire to help families have a positive relationship during the "teen years" that will carry through to the future years.
Even if you are a parent of a younger child, don't think you can't learn a lot from this book. Even though the cover says Raising Teens; I found it very helpful to prepare my mind for the future. Plus, we all know that it takes time to change behavior and I found several areas that I could change now in order to hopefully create a positive relationship with my children as they navigate through their teen years.
I found it very helpful that Connie shares her own personal experiences, she shares about the times she made mistakes and how she learned to correct these in a way that fostered a positive relationship between her and her teen. So you are not going to just get a bunch of suggestions without any proof or facts to back it up--no you will get Connie's first-hand experiences and the word of God to uphold them.
I think every parent can agree that we are living in a time that is particularly challenging for our teens; social media has certainly changed the aspect of being a teenager and made it very difficult for a teen to navigate through without the necessary guidance. I think Connie's book will help parents find the ways to help their child be the individual God has called them to be and it will help parents feel confident in the job they are doing even if it looks completely different from the rest of society.
Even if you are a parent of a younger child, don't think you can't learn a lot from this book. Even though the cover says Raising Teens; I found it very helpful to prepare my mind for the future. Plus, we all know that it takes time to change behavior and I found several areas that I could change now in order to hopefully create a positive relationship with my children as they navigate through their teen years.
I found it very helpful that Connie shares her own personal experiences, she shares about the times she made mistakes and how she learned to correct these in a way that fostered a positive relationship between her and her teen. So you are not going to just get a bunch of suggestions without any proof or facts to back it up--no you will get Connie's first-hand experiences and the word of God to uphold them.
I think every parent can agree that we are living in a time that is particularly challenging for our teens; social media has certainly changed the aspect of being a teenager and made it very difficult for a teen to navigate through without the necessary guidance. I think Connie's book will help parents find the ways to help their child be the individual God has called them to be and it will help parents feel confident in the job they are doing even if it looks completely different from the rest of society.
March 26, 2019
My oldest two children are in their early teen years, so this book came into my hands at just the right time. Connie combines heart and practicality as she shares wisdom from years of experience. I appreciated her honesty about the challenges of this season of life, yet she talks about these issues with great hope and encouragement. Raising teens is hard! However, I loved the stories Connie included about her own family, their challenges, and the ways they navigated through them.
My learning style is to DO! My concern as I began the book was that I would be "preached" to or told all the ways I wasn't doing it "right." That is NOT the case here. The reader is given very practical advice and action steps to take in their own family. There are also Reflection Questions to help the reader process all the information and apply it.
I found this book to be a valuable resource for any parent of teens. You will come back to it over and over again!
My learning style is to DO! My concern as I began the book was that I would be "preached" to or told all the ways I wasn't doing it "right." That is NOT the case here. The reader is given very practical advice and action steps to take in their own family. There are also Reflection Questions to help the reader process all the information and apply it.
I found this book to be a valuable resource for any parent of teens. You will come back to it over and over again!
March 27, 2019
What a fantastic big picture look at raising teens with confidence and zeroing in on how to really grab and love the heart of your teenager. I have four young children, one quickly approaching the teenage years, and this book has been invaluable in arming me with ideas to implement now to put our relationship on firm footing so that we have a great foundation for when he becomes a teenager. Connie writes with great candor about her relationships with her now-grown children which really shows that she has the credentials to write such a book. I would highly recommend this not only for those with teenagers, but even more so for those with young kids who are terrified of the coming years. This book will be a balm to your troubled thoughts as you arm yourself with fantastic tools that can actually turn the teenage years into enjoyable ones for both parent and teen.
March 27, 2019
If you are interested in making an impact on the next generation then this book is for you!
If you have pre-teens and are unsure of the teenage years than this book is for you!
If you are in the war for your hearts and minds of your children this book is for you!
Two of the most important chapters in the book are Understanding their World that talks about teens and technology, phones, social media, bullying and cyberbullying, and Listen Up the art of listening to our teens, resolving conflict and other important topics.
Parenting Beyond the Rules will equip you to parent your teens with wisdom and grace.
If you have pre-teens and are unsure of the teenage years than this book is for you!
If you are in the war for your hearts and minds of your children this book is for you!
Two of the most important chapters in the book are Understanding their World that talks about teens and technology, phones, social media, bullying and cyberbullying, and Listen Up the art of listening to our teens, resolving conflict and other important topics.
Parenting Beyond the Rules will equip you to parent your teens with wisdom and grace.
March 27, 2019
I absolutely loved this book and marked it all over because there are so many ideas that I will be using with my five kids. I love how Connie does offer formulas for raising kids, but she offers real relationship building ideas that can help us thrive in the teen years, not just survive. I desire to grow closer to my kids and to have a close-knit family, and I love that she writes about how she was able to achieve these same goals with her five children. She honestly shares the struggles and mistakes that she made in hopes that we can avoid some of them. Connie is determined to offer to offer hope and strength and encouragement to her reader, and this book is so refreshing
March 27, 2019
A voice of gentle authority and experience, Connie Albers gives us the necessary, practical, and biblical brush strokes for parents who have—or will have—teens in the home. She shows that the beautiful journey of parenting teens is in the everyday stuff, not just in the finished masterpiece once they are grown. Connie leads parents in understanding that our job is not just about a set of rules to follow but more about how to find assurance and delight in these few years left with the teens in our lives. I recommend this book to anyone struggling, anxious, or curious about how to navigate the teen years.
March 28, 2019
Parenting books line the shelves of book stores! As a result, you may wonder the value of yet another. However, as a mom who raised two girls (now mothers) and grandmother to nine, I can’t get enough. Two of my grandsons are in their teens. My deepest desire is for them to come through these next years whole and wholly confident in their identity in Christ.
Parenting Beyond the Rules is a fresh look at the teenage years through the eyes of a mom with decades of experience. It’s not a one size fits all guide or a seven step process; rather it’s a tool to teach you skills that will grow you as well as your relationship with your teen. The pages are filled with grace and honesty. Author Connie Albers will help you name your fears and provide encouragement to overcome each.
When you peruse the shelves, this book is the one to choose. You will be encouraged, challenged and validated. More than that, you’ll have insight to help your teen to discover their purpose as you “cement trust, listen intently, and point them to Christ”.
Parenting Beyond the Rules is a fresh look at the teenage years through the eyes of a mom with decades of experience. It’s not a one size fits all guide or a seven step process; rather it’s a tool to teach you skills that will grow you as well as your relationship with your teen. The pages are filled with grace and honesty. Author Connie Albers will help you name your fears and provide encouragement to overcome each.
When you peruse the shelves, this book is the one to choose. You will be encouraged, challenged and validated. More than that, you’ll have insight to help your teen to discover their purpose as you “cement trust, listen intently, and point them to Christ”.
March 29, 2019
A great book about building relationship and trust with your teen so you can have influence in their lives. The author has great practical tips you can start doing now so it’s not too late to read if you’re currently in the teen years of parenting. There are also thoughtful reflective questions at the end of each chapter. I would recommend this especially to anyone with preteens so you’ll be well prepared for the years ahead. My husband and I have raised our 2 teens with much the same mindset as the author’s suggestions and we have had much success during these trying years.
March 28, 2019
Parenting Beyond the Rules has been such an absolute blessing to me and my husband. Having an MA in education and an MA in youth ministry, I have been exposed to many different books and resources. This one is different. There are so many great nuggets and words of wisdom. It gives truth but brings hope at the same time. So grateful to Mrs. Albers for sharing her heart and experience.
March 27, 2019
Connie's words were just what I needed. I've struggled in parenting my teens (and much more so than when they were toddlers). I gained many new insights and feel so encouraged to continue on in my parenting journey!
March 27, 2019
This book is such an encouragement. Connie provides practical advice on how to lovingly parent your teenager(s). She covers a wide range of topics related to parenting teens such as, how to show unconditional love, understanding their world, being a good listener, monitoring your own mouth, tackling tough topics, being fearless in parenting, staying engaged, and knowing that your teen is uniquely created.
Every parent of teens and pre-teens should read this book. I think this one book you would want to buy so you can read through it more than once, or even skim through every now-and-then.
Every parent of teens and pre-teens should read this book. I think this one book you would want to buy so you can read through it more than once, or even skim through every now-and-then.
April 29, 2019
It is no easy task to raise a child and prepare them for adulthood. While some rules need to be in place, our teenagers need a different sort of parenting than when the children were younger, according to Connie Albers of Parenting Beyond the Rules.
In Parenting Beyond the Rules, Albers talks about how we need to create relationships with our teenagers. She starts with the foundation of relationships and how to help your teen see that they are part of the family team. She shares how to love them in the midst of the changes and challenges and hot to equip them to use their gifts and skills that are unique to them. She also offers advice on listening and talking with teens and tackling challenging topics.
I found a lot of solid advice and helpful information in Parenting Beyond the Rules. Albers gave me some good information to think about and to talk about with my husband as we seek to better parent our teenage son. I especially like that she shares her stories of things that worked and things that didn't. She never comes off as "above" other parents but rather she shares as someone who faces challenges with other parents. I like her humble spirit and attitude that comes through the pages. I also like that she encourages parents to create relationships and better communication with their teens above just making rules for them to live up to. Albers also encourages parents to see each child individually as we all have different personalities and gifts and she advises taking that into consideration as you relate to your teen to prepare them for life in the world beyond living at home. I found Parenting Beyond the Rules to be quite helpful. I would encourage all parents of teenagers to give it a read.
I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
In Parenting Beyond the Rules, Albers talks about how we need to create relationships with our teenagers. She starts with the foundation of relationships and how to help your teen see that they are part of the family team. She shares how to love them in the midst of the changes and challenges and hot to equip them to use their gifts and skills that are unique to them. She also offers advice on listening and talking with teens and tackling challenging topics.
I found a lot of solid advice and helpful information in Parenting Beyond the Rules. Albers gave me some good information to think about and to talk about with my husband as we seek to better parent our teenage son. I especially like that she shares her stories of things that worked and things that didn't. She never comes off as "above" other parents but rather she shares as someone who faces challenges with other parents. I like her humble spirit and attitude that comes through the pages. I also like that she encourages parents to create relationships and better communication with their teens above just making rules for them to live up to. Albers also encourages parents to see each child individually as we all have different personalities and gifts and she advises taking that into consideration as you relate to your teen to prepare them for life in the world beyond living at home. I found Parenting Beyond the Rules to be quite helpful. I would encourage all parents of teenagers to give it a read.
I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
April 5, 2019
Parenting Beyond the Rules: Raising Teens with Confidence and Joy focuses on the importance of relationship rather than rules when parenting teens. Author Connie Albers emphasizes that taking the time to listen to your teen and get to the heart of the matter is more effective than a strict emphasis on rules and behavior. Throughout the book, Albers provides numerous examples from her own experiences as a parent of teens. I found this book was a good reminder of parenting advice but did not contain much in the way of "new information." It is a fairly fast-paced book and recommended to parents who are entering the teen years. Parenting Beyond the Rules would also be a great book to read and discuss with a group of parents.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the book Parenting Beyond the Rules via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the book Parenting Beyond the Rules via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
March 30, 2019
I currently have two teenagers: my oldest is 17 year old girl and my youngest is a fifteen-year-old boy. My daughter and I have a wonderful relationship, but I struggle with my son. This book came at a great time in our lives, so that I can focus on some strategies that would improve my relationship with my son. I realize I haven't been showing him unconditional love (although I do feel that for him), nor have I been fair in my boundaries for him. At the same time, the book has helped me see where I need to rein in some of his attitudes and actions. It really has been an incredible journey to read this book and apply its wisdom to my relationships. I have another turning 13 this summer and am excited to proactively institute a lot of these helps. Connie did a great job of laying a foundation, building on it with actions, showing us real world examples, and reminding us of God's grace when we do fail.
April 10, 2019
This book is a great read for those of us struggling to get our hearts in the right place with parenting teens or preteens. Albers gives a lot of wise and practical advice, including heart-level questions at the end of each chapter (my personal favorite), to help parents realize what they might be missing--primarily, their teen's heart. Albers has raised a five teenagers, and clearly has compassion on that season of life (both that parents and the teens!). She acknowledges that this is a season when our kids need "extra time and attention." Most of all, she serves up large portions of hope.
As the mother of a preteen daughter and two teenaged sons, I know you might be as freaked-out as I am. Though this book didn't have all the answers I was looking for, it was a great overview of what to do right.
As the mother of a preteen daughter and two teenaged sons, I know you might be as freaked-out as I am. Though this book didn't have all the answers I was looking for, it was a great overview of what to do right.
April 2, 2019
This is my new favorite parenting book! Connie is a very humble teacher and has really thought through what the end goal of parenting is. She doesn’t make it all seem easy, but she encourages us that it is worth the effort to invest in our teens. I’m so thankful for this book and know it will be something I turn to time and again!
April 20, 2023
I listened to this on audible and want the paper copy to have her notes and references. I think I would return to this book again and again as I start this journey of raising preteens. I will recommend this over and over again. The teenage years can feel daunting, but I think this is an incredible start for me to process through how I can be a better parent, get to know my kids better, listen more and embrace asking hard questions and having awkward conversations.
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