13 Is the New 18: And Other Things My Children Taught Me--While I Was Having a Nervous Breakdown Being Their Mother (Kindle Edition)

by Beth J. Harpaz (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In her new book, inspired by her AP story of the same name, Harpaz (The Girls in the Van) focuses on a year in the life of her 13-year-old son, nicknamed Taz. After his bar mitzvah, Taz crosses the bridge from the innocence of childhood into a world of iPods, baggy clothes, lewd song lyrics, questionable peers (he calls them peeps) and poor grades. Harpaz takes the change in stride, rifling through her son's room for contraband (she's not disappointed, finding a locked box of condoms and alcohol later revealed to be a plant), peering over his shoulder as he surfs MySpace and trying to figure out whether her rebellious child is normal or the result of her being a Terrible Mother. Readers follow Harpaz as she wrangles with such familiar topics as dragging a teen along on a vacation, homework and the all-consuming desire to be cool. Though the antics of an annoying teenager can be tedious—even for readers sympathetic to her situation—Harpaz has an engaging voice, and her outlook on everything from teen fashion to Facebook is fresh and funny. In spite of her insistence that she doesn't fit in with the Perfect Mommies, she and Taz get through a challenging year without major mishaps and plenty of laughs. (Feb.)
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Review

"In her new book, inspired by her AP story of the same name, Harpaz (The Girls in the Van) focuses on a year in the life of her 13-year-old son, nicknamed Taz. After his bar mitzvah, Taz crosses the bridge from the innocence of childhood into a world of iPods, baggy clothes, lewd song lyrics, questionable peers (he calls them 'peeps') and poor grades. Harpaz takes the change in stride, rifling through her son's room for contraband (she's not disappointed, finding a locked box of condoms and alcohol later revealed to be a 'plant'), peering over his shoulder as he surfs MySpace and trying to figure out whether her rebellious child is normal or the result of her being a 'Terrible Mother.'Readers follow Harpaz as she wrangles with such familiar topics as dragging a teen along on a vacation, homework and the all-consuming desire to be cool. Though the antics of an annoying teenager can be tedious-even for readers sympathetic to her situation-Harpaz has an engaging voice, and her outlook on everything from teen fashion to Facebook is fresh and funny. In spite of her insistence that she doesn't fit in with the 'Perfect Mommies,'she and Taz get through a challenging year without major mishaps and plenty of laughs."
—Publishers Weekly

“Ever wish you could see inside the mind of your teenager?  In 13 is the New 18, Beth Harpaz tells it like it is.  Her poignant and acute look at what happens when her kids’ rush to grow up crashes into her need to hold on to the little darlings is a hopeful roadmap for all of us obsessed, befuddled and anxious parents.”
—Anne Kreamer, author of Going Gray: What I Learned About Beauty, Sex, Work, Motherhood, Authenticity and Everything Else that Really Matters

“ Beleaguered mothers of teenagers are not meant to take this book as a literal guide, but somehow I don’t think I’m the only one carrying around a dog-eared copy fu...

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Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 288 KB
• Print Length: 288 pages
• Publisher: Crown (January 27, 2009)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B001RS8KME
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #43,176 in Kindle Store (See Bestsellers in Kindle Store)

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  #31 in	Kindle Store > Kindle Books > Parenting & Families > Family Relationships > Motherhood
  #43 in	Kindle Store > Kindle Books > Parenting & Families > Parenting > Teenagers

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A cross between Erma Bombeck and Dave Barry, March 19, 2009

By	Public Librarian (Baltimore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 13 Is the New 18: And Other Things My Children Taught Me--While I Was Having a Nervous Breakdown Being Their Mother (Hardcover)

I laughed out loud many times when I read this book. The author can take something as simple as deodorant and make it funny. The best part of the book for me, was when I realized that my family is not alone - other families go through the same sort of things with their teenagers. I decided to try, after reading the book, not to take life so seriously. I can get through this. Like when we took our 13 year old son on a nature vacation and all he did was complain, fart on purpose, and listen to his i-pod the whole time. Since then, we've gone on many more family vacations together and enjoyed them. But it's always reaffirming to hear what goes on in other families. Perhaps the old adage, "Misery loves company" applies here. This is not really an advice book. It's more of a memoir than anything, a really funny memoir.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ten star must read book!, February 5, 2009

By	MotherLodeBeth "MotherLodeBeth" (Sierras of California) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

This review is from: 13 Is the New 18: And Other Things My Children Taught Me--While I Was Having a Nervous Breakdown Being Their Mother (Hardcover)

Started reading the book in the eveings when re-runs of The Cosby Show were on, and as I read and then would watch the show, I was amazed at how the lessons being written about were so wise.

Especially liked Chapter 10 The Secret Lives of Teenagers, which speaks about parents who may have done some wild things when they were teenagers, but now as parents, assume their kids are different and dont do dumb stuff.

Chaper 8 was fun since I like the author, attended an all girls school, although mine was a boarding school. And as long as I can remember I wanted sons, and ended up with a lot of sons. It was fun reading how girlie the author had been and still was when she had her sons. Because she never was into sports and other male oriented interests. And how she changed so much after having sons.

Over all it is the fact she is such a wonderful and observant mother who actually listens to her kids. This may seem like something other would assume would be expected. And in many ways, it is expected, but sadly, also isnt done by many a parent.

This is why I recommend the book so highly. Because maybe in reading it, other parents and adults in general will learn something about what being an awesome adult is all about,

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good read for teenagers and parents of teenagers - especially teenage boys, May 14, 2009

By	Christine M. Irvin (Columbus, OH) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: 13 Is the New 18: And Other Things My Children Taught Me--While I Was Having a Nervous Breakdown Being Their Mother (Hardcover)

In her book, "13 Is the New 18," award-winning Associated Press writer Beth J. Harpaz shares with her readers her experiences of dealing with her son before and after he turns 13. She tells about seemingly ordinary things, like buying her son deodorant, in an amusing fashion. Did you know that Axe deodorant comes in bodyspray, dry, shower gel, and deodorant stick form, and has fragrance names like Adrenalin, Apollo, Phoenix, Kilo and Tsunami? She didn't either until she went to buy the stuff without her son present. Lucky for her, she picked the right form and scent.

As she watches her son survive his 13th year, she reminiscences about her own life and the time she transitioned from a child to an adult. She shares some insights into the process that any mother can appreciate, especially the mother of a son who is close to the age of thirteen.

The sometimes poignant, almost always amusing narrative really struck home as I am the mother of a fourteen-year-old son who has already experienced my son's "terrible 13s." Although my son's and her son's lives are very different from each other, I could identify (and sometimes sympathize!) with the author.

Do yourself a favor and read this book. Even if you don't have a son, I'm sure you can appreciate the humor of the writing and the story-telling. 5 stars.