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Good Discipline, Great Teens
With wit and wisdom, Dr. Ray Guarendi gives parents the tools they need not only to navigate the teen years but also to enjoy them. Teens are "full of life, enthusiasm, energy and laughter," Dr. Ray says, although our culture primes us to expect a far darker reality.
In a lively question-and-answer format, Good Discipline, Great Teens considers issues ranging from curfew to drugs to backtalk and equips parents to give their teens a safer, more stable adolescence, and character and virtues for a lifetime.
The audio edition of this book can be downloaded via
In a lively question-and-answer format, Good Discipline, Great Teens considers issues ranging from curfew to drugs to backtalk and equips parents to give their teens a safer, more stable adolescence, and character and virtues for a lifetime.
The audio edition of this book can be downloaded via
- GenresParentingNonfiction
172 pages, Paperback
First published January 25, 2007
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54 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 27, 2017
I'm torn between giving this a 3 and 4. Since there is no 3.5 option, we'll go with the 3.
To be clear, this isn't a bad book. It just isn't the right book for me. It's set up as a series of Q&As that go through topics such as respect, authority, communication, etc. However, it seemed to me that most of the answers focused on WHY you should discipline your teens, not HOW to discipline your teen.
When Dr. Ray does provide specific tips for discipline, they are good but they seem to assume you have a complaint child. He appears to believe a teen will write the 500-word essay when you ask them, hand over the $5 fine when you demand it, and go to their room on command. He mentions briefly in one answer using a "blackout" to deal with a defiant teen, but again, it assumes that this is something easily implemented. There really is no discussion of how to parent once your teen is bigger and stronger than you. I was hoping for some tips on how to approach discipline in these cases without setting up a showdown which the parent can't possibly win.
Also, Dr. Ray mentions that dictatorial or unloving parenting can be detrimental, but never really discusses what that looks like. I think that's my biggest frustration with the book. There is no nuance. It's all very black and white, and I am guessing that Dr. Ray would say parenting is supposed to be black and white. However, after being in the trenches for a few years with three teens with different personalities, I've discovered that the same methods don't work for everyone. I wish Dr. Ray had spent more time talking about how to balance firm parenting with creating a loving relationship with your teen.
My final issue with the book is that in his attempt to make his answers readable and humorous, I think he isn't always clear on his meaning. Sometimes, his answers feel a bit condescending too.
So all that probably makes it sound like I didn't like the book, but that's not true! I'm glad I read it, and it did provide me some much-needed encouragement and ideas. While I don't think this is the right book for parents with older, defiant teens, I would recommend it to those with younger teens. A lot of what he recommends can help head off trouble before it starts, but I don't think it helps those of us who have already let the horses out of the corral and are trying to get them back in.
To be clear, this isn't a bad book. It just isn't the right book for me. It's set up as a series of Q&As that go through topics such as respect, authority, communication, etc. However, it seemed to me that most of the answers focused on WHY you should discipline your teens, not HOW to discipline your teen.
When Dr. Ray does provide specific tips for discipline, they are good but they seem to assume you have a complaint child. He appears to believe a teen will write the 500-word essay when you ask them, hand over the $5 fine when you demand it, and go to their room on command. He mentions briefly in one answer using a "blackout" to deal with a defiant teen, but again, it assumes that this is something easily implemented. There really is no discussion of how to parent once your teen is bigger and stronger than you. I was hoping for some tips on how to approach discipline in these cases without setting up a showdown which the parent can't possibly win.
Also, Dr. Ray mentions that dictatorial or unloving parenting can be detrimental, but never really discusses what that looks like. I think that's my biggest frustration with the book. There is no nuance. It's all very black and white, and I am guessing that Dr. Ray would say parenting is supposed to be black and white. However, after being in the trenches for a few years with three teens with different personalities, I've discovered that the same methods don't work for everyone. I wish Dr. Ray had spent more time talking about how to balance firm parenting with creating a loving relationship with your teen.
My final issue with the book is that in his attempt to make his answers readable and humorous, I think he isn't always clear on his meaning. Sometimes, his answers feel a bit condescending too.
So all that probably makes it sound like I didn't like the book, but that's not true! I'm glad I read it, and it did provide me some much-needed encouragement and ideas. While I don't think this is the right book for parents with older, defiant teens, I would recommend it to those with younger teens. A lot of what he recommends can help head off trouble before it starts, but I don't think it helps those of us who have already let the horses out of the corral and are trying to get them back in.
July 9, 2017
As you can see, it took me quite a while to get thru this book. There were some good pieces of advice. Nothing I didn't agree with !
November 2, 2017
I'm trying to stay ahead of the curve! This book offered a great deal of insight on the perspective of aging kids.
July 23, 2008
I just love Dr. Ray. Occasionally I listen to his radio show, and always agree with him. This book is so easy to read and is not preachy. He introduces a parent question about discipline and gives his answer. He is very matter of fact, and very down to earth. He and his wife have 10 kids (someone I REALLY want to listen to!) I love how he emphasizes training kids to not be materialistic, to be kind decent people who at age 22 will be a delight to be around, and an asset to society. He is a psychologist and devout Catholic Christian.
July 1, 2013
Highly recommend this book !
September 10, 2014
Dr Ray has sone great advice for parents.
January 18, 2017
Wise and practical advice for the concerned parent. I regret not reading this long before my now 21 year old daughter left my home.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews