Like, Whatever: An Insider's Guide to Raising Teens

Your teen may think he or she is almost an adult who doesn’t need your advice. Not!! You as a parent still have much influence over your kids during this last stage of childhood. In Like, Whatever, 15 experts who are also parents help you navigate through these challenging parenting waters, offering savvy and practical tips on a wide range of current teen-related issues: Money, sex, risky behaviors, health, athletics, faith, discipline, single and blended families, travel, games, generosity of spirit, and others. Each chapter features personal stories, interviews with experts, the latest research, and useful resources to help make these years more understandable, more bearable, and (gulp!) more fun for you as a parent.

REVIEWS

"... contains chapters on subjects from single parenting to faith to sex. Local contributors include journalist Susan Kellam and Ann Cochran, fiction wrier Susan Land, and Rebecca Kahlenberg, the book’s editor.” Washingtonian Magazine 20080331 Review

“…combines the child-rearing insights of 15 writers with the latest research on adolescents…Each chapter is meant to convey the feeling of sitting down with another parent over a cup of coffee to swap parenting war stories and share practical tips.” Bethesda Magazine , 2008/03/01

“The Joy of Raising Teens Like, Whatever…The book's chapters are written by parents, and in the first person, but it's heavily researched, with many of the writers being experts, not just moms and dads. It's also surprisingly upbeat, considering that it tackles tough subjects like drinking, drugs, sex, and discipline….’It's an optimistic look at raising teens,’ says Kahlenberg. ‘Looking at the magic and the mystery as well as the occasional misery. This is a time in kids' lives when you still have a big influence on them. Peers and media are also important, but you're still the parent.’” Nancy Shute, US News & World Report, , 2008/05/13

“Teen Talk … an invaluable guide that helps parents navigate the labyrinth that accompanies raising adolescents. Packed full of insights from 15 parent experts, Like Whatever offers practical tips on a wide range of issues like negative behaviors, the ‘freedom’ debate, instilling good behaviors, saying no, and many other familiar struggles.” Arizona Parenting, 2008/06/01

"Like Whatever: the Insider's Guide To Raising Teens By Rebecca Kahlenberg, Editor. This book is a priceless tool for any parent of a teen, especially fathers. Written by professionals and parents together the book is a treasury of tips and advice that has proven helpful with today's teens for today's problems and situations that confront both teens and their parents and affect the relationship. The chapters are all from personal experiences with real families and tell the pitfalls, what worked and what didn't, and it is all told with humor and balance. Chapters cover Teens and Our Culture, Generosity, Risk, Driving , Money, Faith, Discipline, Health, Single Parenting, Games, Fitness, Travel, College Admissions, and Blended Families. Each Chapter has excellent summary tips that are helpful take-aways in a nutshell. The book is a MUST for EVERY parent of teens today. This will be your daily guide and best friend for these perilous years so you can help your teen make wise choices and keep communications open for the best possible relationship and outcome for these final formative years and his or her approaching adulthood. EXCELLENT and NECESSARY! "
Bonnie Neely, Amazon, 2008/11