The Whipped Parent: Hope for Parents Raising an Out-Of-Control Teen [Paperback]

Kimberly Abraham (Author), Marney Studaker-Cordner (Author), Kathryn O'Dea (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2003

This book was written to help the parents of out-of-control teens. These parents ask, "Why is my child acting this way?" and "Where did I go wrong?" and "How can I take back control of my home and my life?" The Whipped Parent offers answers to help parents meet the challenge of raising an out-of-control teen. This book can help parents 1] stop blaming themselves and their adolescents so they can move forward, 2] handle disappoint ment from expectations their adolescents have not met or will not meet, 3] recognize how society has placed unreasonable expectations on today's parents, leaving them emotionally drained and sick, 4] work with community resources, like the courts and schools, when responding to their adolescents' behaviors, and 5] appreciate the humor (yes, humor) that goes along with raising an out-of-control teen. Both parents and professionals will discover that The Whipped Parent is a practical, realistic and easy-to-understand resource for dealing with an adolescent's frustrating behaviors -- behaviors that can leave even the most experienced parents "whipped." It is written in everyday language, with humor and hope, by experts who work exclusively with adolescents who are "oppositional-defiant" and have conduct disorders. Even the most overwhelmed parent will finish it and feel better! The book features appendixes, worksheets, suggested reading and an index.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kimberly Abraham, MSW, CSW and Marney Studaker-Cordner, MSW, CSW, are clinical therapists specializing in the treatment of behavior-disordered adolescents and their parents. Abraham and Studaker coined the term "the whipped parent," to describe the experience of exhausted, overwhelmed and disheartened parents who feel powerless in regard to their out-of-control adolescent. Combined, they have worked with children and families for more than 20 years. Their personal and professional experience in this area led to the development of a unique, highly effective set of interventions to be utilized with the most difficult populations clinicians see in practice today.

A Michigan county juvenile probate court regularly ordered conduct disordered juveniles and their parents to attend groups developed by Kim and Marney. In addition, both have parented adolescents, and Kim has herself survived raising an oppositional-defiant teenager. They have co-authored training modules for ASAP Parent and ASAP Adolescent Groups. Their presentations are well-received, with emphasis placed on their humor, style and expertise in this area.

Product Details

• Paperback: 177 pages
• Publisher: Rainbow Books (November 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568250924
• ISBN-13: 978-1568250922
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #320,693 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Parent Who's Been Whipped, December 4, 2003

By 

Carolyn Voight (Waco, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Whipped Parent: Hope for Parents Raising an Out-Of-Control Teen (Paperback)

Kim and Marney have written a book that has been too long in coming for parents with out-of-control children. When my child was a teen (back in the early 90s) there was no help for me, no where to turn, no book to read. I felt like a failure as a parent, thinking it must be my fault that my child was out of control. Kim and Marney's book made me realize that I WAS (and am)a good mother. Anyone with a child who is bordering on oppositional defiance or conduct disorder should definitely read this book. It will be like a livesaver in an ugly storm.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for parents of teens!, May 10, 2007

By 

Diane Hamilton "lady_in_pink" (Milwaukee, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Whipped Parent: Hope for Parents Raising an Out-Of-Control Teen (Paperback)

My teenager daughter has been refusing to go to school, posting revealing self-portraits on the internet, and defying me on just about every issue. Like the parents described in this book, I am frustrated, guilty, and burned out (whipped). Some days, I just don't even want to come home from work.

This book really helped me to see my daughter and myself in a different light. I understand more about her now, and how my behavior has kind of fed her behavior. I also feel equipped to deal with the stuff she throws my way. I'll be on my TOES from now on!

If you're looking for a book that will teach you how to control your child, this isn't it. In fact, this book is more about you than it is about your kid. And after reading it, I realize that I don't WANT to "control" her either. I can see her aggravating traits as potential strengths, too.

As I read this book, however, I was struck by the similarities in some of the stories to my 10-year-old step-son. He's having even more behavioral problems than my daughter (he's more like Top Dog, she's more like Slug). Before reading this book, I thought boot camp might be the answer. However, now I'm recommending that my fiance read this book, too!

If you're considering boot camp -- STOP! Read this book first!!!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read!, January 30, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Whipped Parent: Hope for Parents Raising an Out-Of-Control Teen (Paperback)

The Whipped Parent is a powerful resource simply written and easy for any parent to understand. It's a guide to help parents regain their sanity through learning to change their own thought processes, behaviors and responses. It is key for parents to understand the difference between control and influence and how that difference impacts their relationship with their child. The Whipped Parent clearly shares an abundance of tools and ideas on how to endure raising an Out-of-Control Teen. This is indeed a must read survival book! Deni