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Rating: 
Summary: talking? Who wants to talk?
Review: I'm a teenager who, by parental force, has read this book. Now, I must admit, some of the things are true... but... there are other books that I have read that sum it up much better. Frist of all, what adolescent wants to talk? I know that as soon as my mother or father says "Why don't we sit down and talk for a while?" I am instantaniousely up in my room with the music turned up. Don't talk to your teens unless you need to, they know how to get around it... trust me.
Rating:
Summary: talking? Who wants to talk?
Review: I'm a teenager who, by parental force, has read this book. Now, I must admit, some of the things are true... but... there are other books that I have read that sum it up much better. Frist of all, what adolescent wants to talk? I know that as soon as my mother or father says "Why don't we sit down and talk for a while?" I am instantaniousely up in my room with the music turned up. Don't talk to your teens unless you need to, they know how to get around it... trust me.
Rating: 
Summary: Stay calm, confront major problems, and LISTEN
Review: One would think a teenager would appreciate this book since the author puts the onus of responsibility for communication square on the shoulders of the parents. As he should! He stresses self-understanding, determining communication goals, building a positive perspective, choosing words carefully and the "art of caring communication."One truly important thing that he points out is "ambivalence on the part of the parent is likely to be interpreted as license by the teenager." He suggests that rigidity is definitely not the alternative, but a clear committment to a system of values. Example is far more effective than preaching. "Do what you say. Teens are quick to spot hypocrisy." This book is a last minute fix for parents who haven't been working on communication with their children and, frankly, I don't know if it would work or not. Crucial to teen trust and communication is consistent interest from early childhood -- parents who not only instruct but LISTEN from the time the child begins to talk. It takes years and it takes effort...lots of effort. If you have a teenager and you don't know how to say "no," you're in trouble. Swets does, however, describe techniques to establish that authority. He also calls for improving your listening skills and gives feedback techniques to use when you disagree. You'll find graphs and charts for getting to know your teen -- and yourself -- better. There's lots of helpful information here but the time to begin to talk to your teenager is long before adolescence!
Rating: 
Summary: Helpful book with good advice
Review: This book is simply written, but has many thoughtful and somewhat creative ideas on how to stay calm in difficult situations. I think that reading this book might just help parents and guardians who are frustrated and need a little guidance and encouragement. Not all of us came from Ozzie and Harriet households, and learning a few coping skills and hearing some concrete examples on HOW to listen can only help! I recommend this book to parents and others who are feeling a little stressed and a little unheard by their teenage family members.
Rating:
Summary: Helpful book with good advice
Review: This book is simply written, but has many thoughtful and somewhat creative ideas on how to stay calm in difficult situations. I think that reading this book might just help parents and guardians who are frustrated and need a little guidance and encouragement. Not all of us came from Ozzie and Harriet households, and learning a few coping skills and hearing some concrete examples on HOW to listen can only help! I recommend this book to parents and others who are feeling a little stressed and a little unheard by their teenage family members.
Rating: 
Summary: Aims to develop the relational power of parent and teen.
Review: When our children reach adolescence, it seems that negative influences increase dramatically and we risk becoming disconnected. What can be done? More than you might think. We can communicate with them in ways that strengthen the power of our relationship with them--listening in ways that make them want to talk with us and talking in ways that cause them to actually hear what we have to say. It's not easy, but the benefits can last a lifetime. I encourage you to keep on giving it your best shot. Read, observe, learn from your teen, apply your insights, make slight adjustments, pray hard, and never give up!
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