Raising Successful Teenagers

The information provided here will provide parents with the necessary information they need to know to help teenagers reach their full potential.  We also provide effective suggestions for helping teens cope with various life issues. 

Other Topics of Interest:

• About Attention Deficit Disorder
• About Dyslexia
• About Learning Disabilities
• Improving Your Child's Learning Ability

Organizations That Can Help Parents & Teens:

ADOL: Adolescent Directory On Line  Adolescence Directory On-Line (ADOL) is an electronic guide to information on adolescent issues. It is a service of the Center for Adolescent Studies at Indiana University. Educators, counselors, parents, researchers, health practitioners, and teens can use ADOL to find Web resources for a number topics.

Kid Power  Kid Power is part of FULLPOWER International, which is a nonprofit organization teaching violence deterrence, self-protection, confidence, building skills, and full force self-defense to people of all ages. Workshops are offered for children ages 4-18 and their parents.

The National Campaign To Prevent Teen Pregnancy  Provides useful information and tips for parents and teens on the problem of teen pregnancy and how to prevent it.

National Runaway Swithchboard  The National Runaway Switchboard operates a confidential hotline for runaway youth, teens in crisis, and concerned friends and family members. All services are free and available 24 hours every day. Over 250,000 people have used NRS services in 1997 and 1998.  Toll Free Number 1-800-621-4000

Books For Parents and Teens:

Books For Parents

Parenting Teens With Love & Logic : Preparing Adolescents for Responsible Adulthood    A unique approach to dealing with the turmoil of adolescence that recognizes that teens learn best when they're allowed to make choices and learn from the consequences. The trick is in setting up choices so the consequences are constructive.  Love means giving your teen opportunities to be responsible and empowering them to make their own decisions. Logic means allowing them to live with the natural consequences of their mistakes and showing empathy for the pain they will experience.  FOSTER CLINE, M.D., is an internationally recognized physician and adult and child psychiatrist who has successfully parented four children.  JIM FAY has 31 years of experience as an educator and school principal.

The Roller-Coaster Years : Raising Your Child Through the Maddening Yet Magical Middle School Years  For the 20 million parents of 10- to 15-year-olds, The Roller- Coaster Years is a lively guide to mastering the ups and downs of early adolescence. Every parent knows about the terrible twos and the brooding teens, but few have anticipated the wild ride of these magical yet maddening years that can provide all the thrills and chills of a carnival ride.  Now, drawing together the latest information from experts, supported and advised by the National Middle School Association, and with surprising insights from the authors' own surveys of parents, teachers, and the children themselves, The Roller-Coaster Years covers every facet of the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of early adolescents,

Teen-Proofing : A Revolutionary Approach to Fostering Responsible Decision Making in Your Teenager  With his trademark user-friendly, humorous, and common-sense style, John Rosemond lays out a perfectly sound and logical case for recognizing the realities of the teen/parent relationship, forming the foundation, and parenting with the Long Rope Principle. In short, the author demonstrates how mom and dad can avoid the pitfalls of becoming dictatorial Control Freaks, skirt the potholes of turning into permissive Wimps, and enjoy the freedom and rewards of parenting in a controlled (but not controlling) and relaxed manner. Infusing young adults with a sense of personal responsibility, then showing them the results of good and bad choices, is a goal every parent can achieve.

Lonely, Sad and Angry : A Parent's Guide to Depression in Children and Adolescents  Although only recently recognized by the mental health community (1980), childhood depression is very real, widespread, and treatable. This thoughtful book by two clinical child psychologists offers sound information on many aspects of the illness and guidance for treatment. Ingersoll and Goldstein fully and lucidly discuss the characteristics of depression in children and adolescents, coexisting conditions, diagnosis and evaluation, causes, and treatment options. They give detailed counsel on the worrisome issues of suicide and hospitalization, and they furnish reassuring and concrete advice for life at home and help at school. The coverage is thorough, noting newer research, and evenhanded, weighing pros and cons of psychotherapeutic approaches and medications. The scientific information is balanced by supportive and practical advice on the numerous challenges depressed children present. Noting that parents must make informed, critical decisions, Ingersoll and Goldstein enable parents to more confidently and intelligently recognize depression in their children, obtain professional help, determine treatment, cope with the daily struggles as well as the serious consequences, and gain hope for a more enlightened future.

Books For Teens 

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens: The Ultimate Teenage Success Guide
Being a teenager is both wonderful and challenging. In The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, author Sean Covey applies the timeless principles of the 7 Habits to teens and the tough issues and life-changing decisions they face. In an entertaining style, Covey provides a step-by-step guide to help teens improve self-image, build friendships, resist peer pressure, achieve their goals, get along with their parents, and much more. In addition, this book is stuffed with cartoons, clever ideas, great quotes, and incredible stories about real teens from all over the world. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens will engage teenagers unlike any other book.

The Teenage Guy's Survival Guide  Peer pressure, body odor and kissing are just a few of the challenges faced in the straight-talking THE TEENAGE GUY'S SURVIVAL GUIDE. The author does not shy away from controversial topics....and a mix of typefaces and a cartoon character provides a humorous running commentary, keep the text lively.

33 Things Every Girl Should Know : Stories, Songs, Poems and Smart Talk by 33 Extraordinary Women   Editor Tonya Bolden makes no bones about it: "It's no secret. This book is about girl build-up." Accordingly, the pieces collected in 33 Things Every Girl Should Know have the spicy flavor of rabble-rousing. But instead of a radical call to arms, readers will find more of a call to self-esteem, self-respect, and a summons to keep their eyes on a bright future. Subtitled "Stories, Songs, Poems, and Smart Talk by 33 Extraordinary Women," this collection offers young women first-hand advice from such diverse luminaries as Lynda Barry, Sandra Cisneros, Johnetta Cole, Alice Hoffman, Lauren Hutton, M. E. Kerr, Rebecca Lobo, Natalie Merchant, Faith Ringgold, Tabitha Soren, Vera Wang, Wendy Wasserstein, and Sigourney Weaver. These grown-up girls hearken from many realms and backgrounds, with widely varying experiences and skills, but all join their voices here to offer insight, advice, and a surprising expanse of common ground.

The New Teenage Body Book  Adolescence is one of the most excruciatingly embarrassing, developmentally difficult, and hormonally intoxicating times of life. Whether you're a teen trying to deal with the ineptitude of your parents or a parent trying to deal with the turmoil of your teen, it's pretty likely that you could use some help. Enter The New Teenage Body Book; winner of the American Library Association's Best Book for Young Adults Award, this guide provides straightforward answers to the toughest questions about adolescence. 

Bodypride : An Action Plan for Teens : Seeking Self-Esteem and Building Better Bodies  It's tough to be a teenager, especially when you're feeling different or like you're all alone. Bodypride is an action plan for teens seeking to improve their self-esteem and build better bodies. Bodypride includes a 28-day clinically tested diet plan that's safe and effective for teens. Bodypride is a well-conceived, highly readable, easy-to-understand and practical interactive plan for teens going after what they want, and feeling better about what they have.

Motivational Audio Programs (Tapes/CDs) For Teens:

The following audio programs (Tapes/CDs) can be listened to at bed time.  Parents report that when their child listens to one of these tapes regularly for several weeks, both parent and child are amazed at the results.

Anger Control
Everyone experiences anger but if you get angry frequently and it seems uncontrollable, this tape is for you.  You can learn to express your thoughts and feelings while remaining calm and totally in control of yourself and the situation.  It will do wonders for your relationships and your peace of mind.  This program is excellent for teens and adults.

Concentration
This tape has proven to be successful in improving attention and concentration for TEENS and ADULTS.  Many people find the harder they try to concentrate, the more difficult it is and the more frustrated they become.  This tape will help you to focus your attention where you want it.  You'll enjoy using your mind this way to increase your awareness and powers of concentration.  Listen to the tape once per day for 30 days to achieve the best results.