Product Description

Do you find bringing up teenagers more of a pain than a pleasure? Do you find it hard to relate to their values and interests? Do you feel isolated from their new, more separate, lives? Raising teenagers can test parental love to breaking point, particularly if you have previously enjoyed a close and loving relationship. The child over whom you exercised near-total control has suddenly become taller than you, louder than you, with an inside knowledge of all your failings - and a sudden urge to point them out. What is more, this newly arrived creature may talk and dress in a way you find alien and tell you nothing - whilst needing ever-greater financial handouts. Parents of teenagers can feel very isolated and excluded. Help is at hand. Here is a really practical guide to help teenagers, their parents and the rest of the family. "Whatever!" will help you spot the joy in newly emerging adults, which can be obscured when you concentrate only on the difficulties. It will provide you with workable strategies for every situation, which you can put into practice immediately. You will wonder how you ever managed without this invaluable and insightful book.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15127 in Books
• Published on: 2006-09-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Review
"All power to these two authors. There's a real understanding of young people and practical advice... This book offers the comfort of self-recognition, and assurance that others must be having the same experiences. A good book for parents and, perhaps, for form tutors, especially those with no children of their own." - Times Educational Supplement"

From the Author
I met Gill Hines at a seminar she was running on how to
parent teenagers, and was immediately struck by her common sense,
warm-hearted approach. I am a writer - and parent of four - and when I
heard people asking if there was a book they could read on the subject, and
she could not think of anything to recommend, I approached her to see if
she would like to write a book based on her workshops. She immediately
agreed and the result was nine months of work together on Whatever! She
changed my approach to parenting; encouraging me to spot the high points
and communicate more effectively, and I have been delighted by the positive
response that our book has drawn.

About the Author
Gill Hines has worked extensively with young people and parents, in both formal and informal settings. Her workshops - on all aspects of growing up - have a large following. Author and marketing consultant Alison Baverstock met her when she started attending; she has four children - three are teenagers, and the youngest is watching with interest.

Customer Reviews

Whatever!
This is a brilliant book. The chapters deal with all the main issues to do with parenting teenagers but the approach is completely down to earth and honest. Each chapter starts with a discussion of the main things to think about, but then there are little exercises to help us parents remember how it felt to be a teenager. But the best thing of all is the question and answer section. About half of every chapter consists of questions I would like to know the answers to, and really practical ways of dealing with them. Some have happened to me already, others I expect may come, but the practical and down to earth advice on offer was immensely reassuring. I can't recommend this book highly enough, thank you Gill and Alison.

Whatever! A down-to-earth guide to parenting teenagers
Even the chapter headings are great, and address all the big issues. Contains real wisdom and insight rather than psyco-speak. I feel I know much better what's in my teenager's head and hormones, and how he regards me.

WHATEVER you do buy this book!
This book has very much become the domestic bible by which my family and I now live. I picked up a copy in Waterstones on the high street a few weeks ago, since when i have forced my wife into reading it, and have read it twice myself.
Alison Baverstock and Gill Hines have answers to every domestic problem that is likely to occur with your little darlings. What with hectic Edinburgh city life im ashamed to say my children have been rather neglected of late, and 'Whatever' has certainly given me more time with my family and we are happier for it.
I recently saw Alison Baverstock speak at the Edinburgh Book Festival about her book and i learned she has four children of her own, two of whom are teenagers! I cant say i envy them having a book written all about them but im sure theyre really very proud.
Buy this book and act on it if you want your home life to improve! Enjoy!