When kids hit their teen years, parenting takes on a whole new dimension. As they struggle toward independence and autonomy, some dicey issues emerge. And the real world you want them to be ready for can make you shudder-kids today face life-and-death decisions long before they're on their own.
So what do you do? Hover over them so they won't get hurt? Drill them so they'll do the right thing? According to Jim Fay and Foster Cline, hovering and drilling won't prepare teens for the real world. Because they learn responsibility like they learn everything else: through practice.
That's where love-and-logic parenting comes in. Love means giving your teens opportunities to be responsible and empowering them to make their own decisions. Logic means allowing them to live with the natural consequences of their mistakes-and showing empathy for the pain, disappointment, and frustration they'll experience.
When you parent with love and logic, it's a win-win situation. You win because you'll learn to love in a healthy way and effectively guide your teens, without resorting to anger, threats, and power struggles that will haunt them along the path to adulthood. And your teens win because they'll learn responsibility and the logic of life by solving their own problems and acquiring the tools they'll need to cope with the real world.
As a parent, you face no greater challenge-and no greater opportunity-than to guide your children through their teen years toward productive, happy, and responsible adulthood. Parenting Teens with Love and Logic will help you meet that challenge and rejoice in that opportunity.
"With love and logic parenting skills, I no longer need to blow up every time my teenage son yanks my chain. In fact, we've never gotten along better!"-Fran Cook, parent
"At last-a parenting approach that doesn't require a doctorate in psychology to understand and use! Every parent in America needs to know about love and logic."-Dawn Degenhardt, executive director, Maine Adoption Placement Service
"Every parent longs to see a child becoming more responsible. This book shows how to encourage mature behavior while not destroying the relationship."-Connie Podesta, M.S., L.P.C., Marriage & Family Counselor; president, CommuniCare
"This is timely, on-target information needed by all educators to help with the many problems of today's young people."-Dr. Gary L. Peevely, superintendent, Rogersville City Schools, Rogersville, TN
"Love and Logic has been required reading for all the parents I see in my practice. It is the best practical reference for parenting I've found. This new teen version is fantastic."-Bud Kuecke, licensed clinical social worker
