Synopsis:
A cute, sassy “manual” for teen girls on how to make the most of their teen years without making Mom and Dad crazy.
Review:
How to Raise Your Parents definitely has the big sister tone down pat, and, for the most part, it doesn’t court too much controvery. I can see parents buying this book for their daughters, but I’m not sure I can see girls buying it for themselves, not because the advice isn’t good but because it’s a little preachy at times.
Since I’ve got a daughter now, I’m terrified about what will happen when she’s a teenager. I guess it’s a long way off, but I can’t help but think about all the ways there are these days for girls to get themselves in trouble. I only hope that I will have the presence of mind to keep the lines of communication open and help her become her own person, even if I don’t always agree with her choices.
The competing concern to healthy personality development is discipline, as in ‘the will to complete a task’.
For safety, she needs to understand about responding correctly the first time, every time. She needs to be able to follow instructions, and to raise questions when instructions aren’t clear. She needs to be able to figure out when to raise questions, and when to wait until later – and to organize her thoughts to follow up later when needed.
Actually, with all the worrying her Mom is doing, I expect she will grow up quite well. She should be quite pleased with her home and family, and a great joy for her parents.
Blessed be!
Aw, thanks–you’re very sweet.
Interesting definition of discipline, but very useful. Good words to ponder!
I think something that is useful to keep in mind is that teens’ brains apparently are still not capable of accurately assessing risk. Which is why they do so many bozo things. And which is why the parent’s job is sometimes to protect them from themselves. They will hate you for it, mind you, but what can you do? They generally come around later on.
On the other hand, some of them seem to sail smoothly through adolescence without much more than a couple of temper tantrums.
I’ve had both sorts. I didn’t succeed as much as I would have liked in protecting them from themselves, but at least I can say that none of them have a criminal record and they survived adolescence with their minds and bodies intact.
good work, janet!!