Supporting Your Adolescent: Tips For Parents
Resources for Parents*
Web Resources
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)
www.aacap.org/publications/factsfam/
The AACAP has developed a series of 88 fact sheets, called Facts for Families, that provide up-to-date information on issues affecting children, teenagers, and their families. Topics range from normal adolescent development to behavioral problems and psychiatric disorders.
KidsHealth
www.kidshealth.org/parent/
KidsHealth, a service of the Nemours Foundation, offers articles on nutrition and fitness, positive parenting, and emotions and behavior, among others. An interactive question and answer section allows parents to submit questions to an expert panel.
MedLine Plus
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/teendevelopment.html
MedLine Plus, an information service of the National Institutes of Health, has compiled a list of links to documents on teen development. Categories include: latest news, coping, specific conditions, and research.
The National Center for Fathering
www.fathers.com/articles/
The National Center for Fathering has a lengthy library of articles on Fathering Tips for Dads of Teenagers. Articles include: "Show Your Daughter What a Good Husband Is," "Cell Phones and Communicating Values," and "Learning to Express Emotions."
The National Runaway Switchboard
www.1800RUNAWAY.org
The National Runaway Switchboard, a confidential hotline for runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth, has a wealth of information for parents including "Warning Signs to Runaway Behavior," "Tips for Parents," and "What to do When Your Child Returns Home."
Shoulder to Shoulder Minnesota: Raising Teens Together
www.shouldertoshoulderminnesota.org
Although focused on youth in the state of Minnesota, this site has a wealth of information and links that advise parents on how to raise teens who are healthy, safe, and drug and alcohol free. Fact sheets and brochures can be downloaded on a variety of topics, including "Understanding Your Teen" and "Talking with Your Teen." A PowerPoint presentation, called "Thriving with Your Teen," is also available.
Print Publications**
Boys into Men: Raising Our African American Teenage Sons
This book helps African American families face the unique challenges of raising teenage sons. Parents are given guidance on how to foster a positive racial male identity, plant strong spiritual roots, promote sexual responsibility, and overcome negative cultural influences. Published in 2001. Authors: Nancy Boyd-Franklin, A. J. Franklin, and Pamela Toussaint. Available from Plume Books, 405 Murray Hill Pkwy., East Rutherford, NJ 07073; Phone: (800) 788-6262.
Caring for Your Teenager
Spanning the full spectrum of adolescent development issues, this handbook by the American Academy of Pediatrics helps parents and their children navigate the teen years. This 606-page volume includes advice on discipline, self-esteem, and peer pressure, among others. Published in 2003. Author: American Academy of Pediatrics. Available from the American Academy of Pediatrics, 141 Northwest Point Blvd., Elk Grove Village, IL 60007-1098; Phone: (866) 843-2271; Web site: http://www.aap.org.
Connect 5: Finding the Caring Adults You May Not Realize Your Teen Needs
Research shows that teenagers thrive with the support of a network of caring adults. This book provides encouragement and practical advice for parents to help their teens safely connect with other responsible and supportive adults. Published in 2004. Author: Kathleen Kimball-Baker. Available from the Search Institute, 615 First Ave. NE., Suite 125, Minneapolis, MN 55413; Phone: (800) 888-7828; Web site: http://www.search-institute.org.
How to Talk to Teens About Really Important Things
For parents of teenagers, talking openly about sex, drugs, lifestyle choices, and divorce can be daunting. This book offers parents a commonsense approach to knowing just what to say to teens and how and when to say it. Authors: Charles E. Schaefer and Theresa Foy DiGeronimo. Available from Active Parenting Publishers, 1955 Vaughn Rd. NW., Suite 108, Kennesaw, GA 30144-7808; Phone: (800) 825-0060; E-mail: cservice@activeparenting.com; Web site: http://www.activeparenting.com.
The Inside Story on Teen Girls
The Inside Story on Teen Girls gives expert answers to real questions asked by parents and teen girls. Parents and teen girls will find tips and suggestions on developing better communication, as well as reconnecting with other family members and strengthening their sense of self. Published in 2002. Authors: Karen Zager, Ph.D., and Alice Rubenstein, Ed.D. Available from the American Psychological Association, 750 First St. NE., Washington, DC 20002-4242; Phone: (800) 374-2721; Web site: http://www.apa.org/books/teengirls.
Parenting at the Speed of Teens: Positive Tips on Everyday Issues
This concise, pocket-sized book offers parents positive solutions to the everyday issues facing all teens, as well as the greater challenges of depression, divorce, and racism, among others. Published in 2004. Available from the Search Institute, 615 First Ave. NE., Suite 125, Minneapolis, MN 55413; Phone: (800) 888-7828; Web site: http://www.search-institute.org.
Parenting to Build Character in Your Teen
This guidebook shows parents techniques on how to teach, enforce, advocate, and model the author’s six pillars of character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. Published in 2001. Authors: Michael S. Josephson, Val J. Peter, and Tom Dowd. Available from Girls and Boys Town Press, 14100 Crawford St., Boys Town, NE 68010; Phone: (800) 282-6657; Web site: http://www.girlsandboystown.org/btpress.
Parenting Today’s Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
This guide instructs parents in how to help their preteens and teens understand the challenges of growing up in the 21st century. Using a Christian perspective, the book aims to help children and parents strengthen their relationship while forging a productive vision for the future. Published in 2002. Authors: Dennis Rainey, Barbara Rainey, and Bruce Nygren. Available from Thomas Nelson Publishers, P.O. Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214; Phone: (800) 441-0511; Web site: http://www.thomasnelson.com.
Positive Discipline for Teenagers
This guide seeks to teach parents how to influence without lecturing, let go without abandoning, spend quality time that counts, teach life skills, invite joint problem-solving, find solutions without blame, and follow through with dignity and respect. Published in 2000. Authors: Jane Nelsen and Lynn Lott. Available from Prima Publishing, 1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019; Phone: (916) 632-4400.
Staying Connected: A Guide for Parents on Raising an Adolescent Daughter
This 35-page brochure from the American Psychological Association incorporates the latest research on adolescence to advise parents on raising healthy, resilient teenage daughters. Sections include: puberty, peer groups, self-esteem, sexuality, mood swings, and rebellion. Published in 2001. Available free through the APA Office of Public Communications; Phone: (202) 336-5700; E-mail: pubcom@apa.org; Web site: http://www.apa.org/pubinfo/girls/connect.pdf.
Staying Connected to Your Teenager: How to Keep Them Talking to You and How to Hear What They’re Really Saying
This book provides strategies for coaxing out the emerging adult in every teen. The author gives tips on how parents can move from a "managing" to a "consulting" role in a teen’s life, how to work with a teen’s uniquely exasperating sleep rhythms and how to break through the monosyllables to have real conversations. Published in 2003. Author: Michael Riera. Available from Perseus Publishing, 5500 Central Ave., Boulder, CO 80301; Phone: (800) 386-5656; E-mail: westview.orders@perseusbooks.com.
Your Adolescent: Emotional, Behavioral and Cognitive Development from Early Adolescence Through the Teen Years
This guidebook helps parents understand and respond to both the typical and more serious challenges of the teen years. It addresses everyday issues like peer influence and separation anxiety, as well as more serious problems like violence and experimental alcohol and drug use. Authors: David Pruitt, American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Available from HarperCollins, 10 East 53rd St., New York, NY 10022; Phone: (212) 207-7000.
* This list is intended to provide you with resources on parenting issues; readers should not presume this list is exhaustive. Moreover, points of view and opinions expressed in these materials do not necessarily represent the official position of the Family and Youth Services Bureau or the National Clearinghouse on Families & Youth.
** Many of these publications can also be obtained through libraries, local bookstores, and online booksellers.
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