Rating: 
Summary: Excellent, practical and humorous Guide!
Review: "You will be punished and some day you'll have a teenager just like yourself" These were the prophetic words of my mother, sometimes spoken in jest, sometimes in awe, but mostly in fits of frustration and anger. As a parent through adoption I had some hope that I might be spared the angst I put my parents through.""But alas, as this book demonstrates, the teenage years are universally challenging due to the developmental issues faced by all those who enter. While "Get out of my life..." doesn't specifically deal with adoption issues, (adoptive parents should read up on the unique complexities that adoption brings to teenagers), this it is a wonderful, matter-of-fact, often lighthearted explanation of the struggles facing both parents and children." "From failure to participate in chores, to lying about their whereabouts, to sex and drugs, the author normalizes these behaviors and offers sound advice to harried parents. For those embattled parents going through this roller-coaster ride, sitting down with this book feels like a big supportive pat on the shoulder from a kindly professional. This is a must read for all parents - good luck!"
Rating: 
Summary: Lots of good information.
Review: A very helpful book on raising pre-teens and teens. Gives lots of insight and ideas. Also suggested: Kid Cooperation (How to Stop Yelling, Nagging and Pleading) by Elizabeth Pantley
Rating:
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.
Rating: 
Summary: these are not your average teens
Review: Although there are some good statements made in this book for the most part it seems we are being told that there really is not much you can do. These teens and the language they are using is not acceptable. I've had four teens and my share of problems but I've never had a teen stand and call me a name or say F.. you or anything even near this. This book brings up some very real situations but really offers little in the way of solutions. That stinks, I already know what the situation is I need useable advice on what works. The advice hear is don't push to hard and just let things slide after all they are just teenagers. In fact this book seems to say don't expect too much. Bull, if I say be home at 11:30 then be home at 11:30. I can't believe all the reviews were so great on this book. Come on parents who is the boss in your home!
Rating:
Summary: Great for parents w/ teenagers - A MUST for fathers w/ girls
Review: An insightful book. Wolf helps us understand the differences between our growing up and that of today's adolescents. His perception of the different ways girls and boys react to conflict is very much on the mark.
As a single father raising a young girl it became very important to me. (Bachelor father is not as easy as TV made it look!)
Fathers of girls should read it closely - it really helps the male relate better to the emotions of the young girl. I lent the book to friends who passed it on to other fathers, all of them giving it positive reviews.
It was originally recommended to me by a friend who is a high school counsellor and said it was almost required reading in her school district.
Rating:
Summary: Wolf's writing is wonderful and his advice is genuine.
Review: Anthony E. Wolf has added another parenting guide to his list of help books. -Get Out Of My Life, But First Could You Drive Me and Cheryl To The Mall? offers advice and much needed assistance to parents who are raising teenagers. Wolf describes today's adolescents as the "new teenager who are different than teenagers of previous generations and many parents are finding them almost impossible to deal with. They are bolder, less obedient, and their world is much more threatening and complicated. Therefore, the parents of today's "new teenagers" need to alter their parenting skills to be better equipped to handle such matters and Wolf's book can help. Most adults view teenagers as immature robots of disobedience who are merely trying to be difficult and miserable. But Wolf describes adolescents and their behavior in ways which make them seem much more needy of their parents love, guidance, and compassion. Wolf's book does not administer a list of rules of what to do and what not to do when raising a teenager. Instead he offers a variety of real life situations and he suggests methods parents may use to deal with these issues. . And, if there is no solution, as is the case in some of the situations, Wolf is not afraid to say so. Also, Wolf goes beyond just describing these situations. He gets behind the problem and explains why teenagers act the way that they do. His words act as a translator for the very foreign language of teenage behavior and very often his descriptions make their behavior seem much less despicable and much more comprehendible. Wolf covers such areas as parental decision making, lying teenagers, confrontation and how parents should handle it, teenagers who continually break rules, and methods parents should use to make rules. Wolf also addresses more modern issues like divorce, parenting alone, sex, suicide, and alcohol and drug use. Wolf does a wonderful job of assuring the parent that it is o.k. if they make mistakes while raising their teenagers. He is sure to remind his readers that adolescence is a stage and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Most importantly, Wolf offers assurance to parents that their efforts during these teenage years, however fruitless they may seem at the time, are crucial. Through his writing Wolf speaks to the hearts of parents without using a preachy or condescending tone. His advice is genuine and his concern is real. 'Get Out Of My Life' is a loving and compassionate guide to understanding today's teenagers. This book helps not only parents, but anyone who is involved with teenagers, truly understand their lives and not feel so angry at them all the time. Wolf offers his advice in a funny, easy to understand, real life, sensitive way, which draws the reader in and makes these difficult years seem much more survivable. He expels the monster image of adolescence that many people carry and replaces it with a much more lovable image that is needy of their parents attention. I applaud Wolf's work and strongly suggest it to anyone dealing with today's youth.
Rating: 
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.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Have Survival Guide For The Teen Years!
Review: Anthony Wolf provides an outstanding perspective on "your growing teen". You will find comfort and familiarity in his insightful portrayal of the "teen stages". I clicked with this book after the first two pages! You'll come to understand your teen better and receive comfort when you realize it's not just you. Great book for all parents of teens. A "must have" in any family library.
Rating: 
Summary: Not bad, but not good either
Review: As a child psychologist myself, I've been reading a large number of parenting books looking for material to suggest to families I see. While this book is not a total waste of time, and there are some (IMHO) worthwhile ideas in here, I would not recommend this book to anyone. I listened to the audiobook version, and while no prude at all, I did find the use of vulgarity excessive. Apparently the author assumes teens all swear like linebackers around their parents. While I know they have a colorful vocabulary, many use discretion regarding when they use it, and his presentation made it appear this is the norm and not to be too concerned about it. After 15 years in practice I can count on one hand the numbers of teens who have cursed in my office without immediately catching themselves and apologizing. Second, I find his stance on many issues to be rather passive and unnecessarily so. While I always advise parents to choose their battles, and certainly am aware that total control is neither possible nor recommended, I found this approach to be a bit too much of the 'shrug you shoulders...what can you do' ilk. There are worse parenting books out there, but there are better as well.
Rating:
Summary: This book helped me realize why teenagers act so obnoxious
Review: As a mother of 3 teenagers and step-mom to 2 more teenagers, it has helped me focus why our almost adult children behave this way. What are those hissy fits all about? How they try to manipulate a parent into getting what they really want -- freedom to do what ever they please. This book helps give parents the upper hand back without the fighting. It has brought the stress level down in our house. I would recommend this book to any one who is trying to figure out who that species of a teenager is.
| 
