Get Out of My Life, but First Could You Drive Me & Cheryl to the Mall: A Parent's Guide to the New Teenager, Revised and Updated

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Summary: a book that didn't make me feel guilty
Review: I am an avid reader and get most of my information this way. So, I've read many books to help me get through these teenage years, which stated half way through 6th grade (age 12) and continuing with frightening fury through age 14. Mostly, they have made me feel guilty for things I hadn't done. This books takes you where you're at as ugly as it may be. This is the first time I have been able to feel that my daughter is normal, that is an important first step in dealing with a teenager. Chapter 3 was most meaningful for me. It dealt with letting go and accepting the person you're child has become. We spend our child's lives raising them and protecting them and as if overnight, we are expected to stand back and live with our creation. I also appreciated how he recognizes some parents feelings that although we love them, we at times hate them and want to cause them physical harm. I too, feel like this was written about my child. I also feel that he must have heard some of the conversations we have had and repeated them verbatim. He wrote this book long before I ever dreamed those words could come out of my darling daughters mouth. I feel not so alone.

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Summary: Excellent reference for parents and teachers of teenagers
Review: This book is filled with examples which every parent and teacher of a teenager can relate to. The "conversations" which the author details have echoed in all our ears, and yet he explains WHY the kids react the way they do and how to cope with these kids and keep your sanity, too. The suggestions are simple, yet effective, and with a little practice on your part in putting his suggestions to work, you CAN have a better relationship and more productive communication with your kids.

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Summary: Down to earth in you face what it's all about.
Review: This book is definitely a "survival" guide for parents of teenagers. The ilustrations, sometimes brutally frank, are on the mark. The thrust of Wolf's effort seems to underscore the need for patience and forebearance, combined with a strong core of parental control centered around the idea that I'm Ok and you're still a kid! This book is a short, concise examination of how we as parents of teenagers need to commiserate with each other for alone we are almost surely doomed. Wolf may, nevertheless, deal only superficially with several very important subjects such as sex, drugs and physical abuse, and for those who seek more serious counseling this piece will be lacking. However, for those of us for whom a bit of wisdom combined with jailhouse humor is more than enough to get us through the "normal" day, Wolf's work here is enough. Although I couldn't call it provoking, it leaves one with a sense of peace, and that sometimes is more than our dearly beloved teens would dare attempt!

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Summary: This is the hills to whence I look for my help
Review: Absolutely enlightening! After almost going bonkers with my teenage heathens, this book was given to me by our family's psychologist. What a difference it made. John is out of therapy, and Mark is on his road to recovery. Thanks a million, dear heart.

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Summary: Refreshing! Finally somebody knows how I feel.
Review: As the mother of a 15 year old girl, communication, understanding and a respect for one anothers thoughts and feeling, have all been highly prioritized in my role as a parent. The adolesant years can be most turbulant for youngster as well as for parents. What caught my first attention was the title of this book. When I started reading, I couldn't put it down. It's refreshing to know that my daughter and I are not alone when it comes to dealing with the frustrations that come with the adolesant years.The author did a great job with the topics discussed, the examples given, together with the parental advise on how to deal with these issues. I'd recommend this book to every parent.

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Summary: About Dr. Wolf:
Review: Anthony E. Wolf, Ph.D., has two former teenagers of his own. A practicing clinical psychologist, he has worked with children and adolescents for almost thirty years. He is the author of "IT'S NOT FAIR, JEREMY SPENCER'S PARENTS LET HIM STAY UP ALL NIGHT": A GUIDE TO THE TOUGHER PARTS OF PARENTING and "WHY DID YOU HAVE TO GET A DIVORCE? AND WHEN CAN I GET A HAMSTER?": A GUIDE TO PARENTING THROUGH DIVORCE. He lives in Suffield, Connecticut, and lectures frequently on parenting topics.

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Summary: If you are here, You must read this book.
Review: My son's psychologist reccommended thi book to us. He is ADD and Oppositional. The book has great insght and humor. If I didn't know better I would say that the author was writing about my son. My only regret is that I didn't find this book when my son was 13 and not 16. Read it. You will read it over and over. My copy is already dog-eared.

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Summary: Our Bible for raising twin boys
Review: The book was recommended by a social worker friend. It helped us so much and we reread it every year from when the twin boys were 16 through 18. (It would have been better to have known about it earlier.) It taught us to laugh, not to fear, and to accept even the difficult parts. The boys are about to turn 21, have become wonderful young men, and we just gave our own copy to friends with a younger flock. We recommend it to everyone with kids 10 and up. Be prepared!

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Summary: As parents, we generally talk too much.
Review: I would love to give the book a 10 rating, but frankly, I've just finished it and they haven't grown up yet, so I'll write another review in six years or so. Excellent advice to parents on not embroiling themselves in battles with adolescents. Now if I can make it work.

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Summary: Comforting advice about normal teenage behavior
Review: This book assures parents of today's teenagers that their difficult experiences with their children are not unusual. It gives good examples of how to respond to the child's complaints without getting into an argument. It accepts the principle that the parent is the authority whether the child likes it or not, but it does not expect absolute obedience from the child. I thought the book was a little weak when discussing alcohol, drugs, and sex. These potentially deadly problems were dealt with a little too casually. Overall, I thought the book was very comforting.