Parent-Teen Breakthrough: The Relationship Approach

by Charles Foster, Mira Kirshenbaum, Mira Kishenbaum

If you're like most parents of teenagers, you wish you could break down the barriers and build a solid, honest relationship with your son or daughter. Now here's a book that will help you discover the key to: * Becoming a welcoming person in your teenager's life * Getting your son or daughter to really talk (and listen) to you * Trusting yourself as a parent - and getting your needs met * Asking the one 'magic question' that will break down barriers...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0452266165
• ISBN13: 9780452266162
• Release Date: May 1991
• Publisher: Plume Books
• Length: 292 Pages
• Weight: 0.62 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.3" x 8.1"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 12 and higher

Customer Reviews

My Lifesaver

I have just gotten done referring someone to this book... for about the 20th time. I discovered this book about 10 years ago, don't remember from who or where... but I can tell you that it has been my bible! I reference it continually. I first purchased it when my son was 11 and starting to "assert" his independance. I am very happy to say that he is now a 21 year old college student, who is also my good friend. We have established a wonderful, respectful relationship with each other, and I owe alot of it to the thought processes and action I took (and didn't take), after reading this book. I am still referencing it with my 16 year old daughter and the relationship method has been wonderful in helping to understand and react to her growing "learning to leave home". I highly recommend this book!

Parent/Teen Breakthrough

Excellent book for parents with preteens and teens. It is full of very compelling examples of behaviors that can be expected if a solid relationship between the parent and child has not been established. The crux of the problem is often the parent. We are comfortable controlling our children (it works) when they are smaller and we're quite surprised when they begin to mature and really need us to be a best friend. The book does not preach, but clarifies the value of building a new relationship. Perfectly appropriate for people of any religious faith. It is a gift that I give to parents very often.

A Blessing

During my son's eighth grade year I struggled constantly with conflicting ideas about how to control and moderate his behaviour. None worked and my husband and I spent many hours arguing and I spent many hours on the carpet at the school for various infractions. Completely seredipitously this book landed in my hands. I don't read self-help books and books of that ilk but after perusing the first chapter I thought "Yes, this sounds right." I have adopted the basic philosphy in all my dealings with my son. Despite my husbands claims that it is merely the easy way out (avoiding confrontation and bright lines), it is in fact a great challenge to stand up to the almost relentless advise that comes in on childrearing from all sides. It is not easy to say this is what I believe and I will stick with it understanding what you say about dire consequences. I often feel all alone and this book is a huge, absolutely huge, comfort to me.

changed my relationship with my 2 teens for the better

I found this book browsing in a store. I have been referring to it for over a year now and it has changed my relationship with my 15 and 16 year old. There are no more fights over the little things in life, no more nagging. Just deep concern for my children and the time we have together. When I tell my friends of the theories in this book they think I am avoiding dealing with teen age conflicts, but they will admit to arguing a lot in their homes. Sometimes I think it's a gamble to practice this method, what if at the end of the teen years it was not the way to parent? But the results now are so incredibly rewarding, it almost imossible to think it is not the best way to go.

My daughter and I are best friends.

Wonderful! No pushy theories that don't make sense, no religious intonations, just plain, simple, understandable reality. "Parent Teen Breakthrough" not only showed me what to do, but how. And so much is so simple. In just over a month, I have seen triumphs almost daily - and not just with my teenager, but with my two younger children as well.. Ever wonder how you are supposed to accomplish whatever it is you are supposed to do or just how you are supposed to act as a parent? I have been a single mom for most of my children't lives and it has been difficult, at best. Though I have always tried to give them my best, there was something missing. My adolescent daughter was slipping from my grasp. The harder I tried, the further away she ran until, a few short months ago she tried suicide. I was devestated. But with a little help, we have made so much progress since then and this book gave me the insight and wisdom I needed to make it happen. I learned that I really am a great parent. All I need is a little shaping, a little change here and there. The closeness I am sharing with all of my children is the greatest reward I could ever have asked for in the world and I have "Parent Teen Breakthrough" to thank for showing me how.