About the Author
Dr. Terry L. Paulson has been described as the "Will Rogers of management consulting." As a professional speaker and author, he helps leaders, teams, and the next generation of American workers to make change work. But few know his long background with youth, first as a teen youth worker with Young Life and many Southern California churches, and then as a licensed clinical psychologist. He knows the real world teens have to face as adults, on and off the job, and he also speaks their language today. He speaks to young and old alike on topics ranging from self-motivation to managing conflict and change. In addition to being a father and psychologist, he is author of the popular books, They Shoot Managers Don't They?, Paulson on Change, Secrets of Life Every Teen Needs to Know, Making Humor Work, Meditations for the Road Warrior, and 50 Tips for Speaking Life a Pro. He is the 1998--1999 president of the National Speakers Association. You can get more information on Dr. Paulson through his office in Agoura Hills, California. You may contact him at: Paulson and Associates Inc., P.O. Box 365, Agoura Hills, CA 91376-0365, DrTerryP@changecentral.com 818-991-5110.
Sean D. Paulson has survived most of the Paulson family lectures without any noticeable damage. He graduated from Agoura High School in 1990. After a short stint in the U.S. Army, he attended college at Pacific Christian College in Fullerton, California. He continues his studies at Saddleback College in Saddleback, California. He has worked as an assistant director with the YMCA and as a pre-school teacher in Mission Viejo. As a teen, he was president of the Southern California Synod of the Youth Ministries Committee for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He and his wife, Nicole, are both active in working with teens in the Youth Impact group at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Laguna Hills, California. With his father, Sean co-authored the book, Secrets of Life Every Teen Needs to Know. He is dedicated to helping teens and parents talk about the things that really matter.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
This is a book to help families talk about the things that really matter in life. It's about sharing the wisdom of the ages and taking the time to talk about it.
Even committed Christian families can be challenged by the frustrations, temptations, and difficulties of surviving the teen years. No one has ever said growing up is easy for any generation, and it isn't getting any easier. The combination of a fast-paced world and more available temptations forces teens to grow up more quickly than in the past. We hope that using this book will help parents and teens navigate those challenges better.
Many families wait for a crisis before they even sit down to talk. After surveying hundreds of teens and parents, we have teamed up to write a book that will help you start a dialogue on the timeless life lessons that are most important to learn. This book covers issues ranging from sex and drugs to honesty, faith, and the value of hard work. We hope you will be inspired by the quotes and stimulated by the content, relevant Bible passages, and thoughtful questions. This book will prove that discussing things that matter doesn't have to be boring. We trust that you'll listen, learn, and laugh together.
Even if you don't agree with all we've written, it will help you think and talk about your values. The conversations you have with each other will be more important than anything we could write.
Each chapter gives you an opportunity to talk about a question that really matters to both teens and adults. The discussion can take place in a family, youth group, school, camp, or in any other setting in which teens and adults come together.
You can take the chapters in the order in which they appear or skim the Table of Contents and choose the chapters that you most want to talk about.
You might begin a chapter by reading the "family lecture" silently or aloud. Here, as father and son, we have tried to share the insights we've learned in our own family and by talking with other teens and adults. Each family member might identify the ideas he or she found most helpful. Let each person choose the quotation they liked best. Use the "Talk It Over" questions to help you work out your own answers to the life question posed in the chapter.
While all the answers you need are not in this book, many are. Some answers will come in the dialogue you have as a family. The rest you will have to discover for yourself. We're sure, with God's help, you will. We thank you in advance for taking the time to read and use our book. May you enjoy and benefit from reading it. ---Terry and Sean Paulson
