Michael Riera is the high school counselor many of us wish we'd had: he's smart, non-judgmental, and respectful of kids. This excellent book is chock full o' advice for parents that sometimes goes against the established grain but makes utter sense. For example, don't give advice even when asked, embrace estrangement (it's part of your teenager's development), and take a demotion and move from "manager" to "consultant." Uncommon Sense is an excellent book for any parent of an older child or teenager.


From AudioFile
The major issues of adolescent parenting are covered here: structure, trust and freedom, expectations, consequences, communication, friends, alcohol and drugs, romance and sexuality, divorce, depression, and how to interpret the normal and abnormal features of the teen years. Both the tone and content are respectful of the turbulence teenagers and parents experience during these years. Riera's approach is uncommonly reasonable, and he articulates it with down-to-earth language. His kind and earnest speaking style will be welcomed by parents who need the information but don't want to feel any more incompetent or guilty than they already do about their parenting. T.W. (c) AudioFile, Portland, Maine


Book Description
With more than 100,000 copies sold, Michael Riera’s UNCOMMON SENSE FOR PARENTS WITH TEENAGERS has ushered countless families through the trying years of adolescence. Offering a fresh interpretation of the teen years, Riera asserts that this period of a child’s growth is too often misunderstood as a phase to be dreaded instead of enjoyed. In this fully revised and updated edition, Riera tackles some of the newest issues facing parents and teens—text messaging and the Internet, changing driver’s license requirements, fad diets and exercise—and gives a second look to the old standbys—alcohol and drugs, academics, sex and dating, sports and extracurricular activities, eating disorders, making friends, single parenting, divorce, and more. Beginning with overviews of the parent-teenager relationship, the adolescent world, and high school, the bulk of the book comprises a series of responses to questions commonly asked by parents. Based on his 19 years as a teacher, counselor, dean of students, and parent, Riera recommends some unexpected—and ultimately successful—approaches, like "Communicate indirectly," "Let your teenager brood," and "Resist giving advice, even when your teenager asks for it." With a rare appreciation for this special developmental stage of life and an unpatronizing approach to teenagers, UNCOMMON SENSE FOR PARENTS WITH TEENAGERS is a beacon of optimism and hope for confused and wearied families everywhere.


From the Publisher
* The revised best-selling handbook for parents of teenagers that turns parents’ feelings of frustration and isolation into fascination, curiosity, and hope. * Michael Riera is the host of the nationally syndicated radio show Family Talk with Dr. Mike; the family consultant for CBS’s Saturday Morning Early Show; and a frequent guest on news and talk shows, including Oprah, 48 Hours, The Today Show, The View, and NPR Radio. * The original edition has sold more than 100,000 copies.


About the Author
MICHAEL RIERA, Ph.D., is the author of Staying Connected to Your Teenager; Right From Wrong: Instilling a Sense of Integrity in Our Children; and Field Guide to the American Teenager. He is also an award-winning columnist, educator, television commentator, radio host, and national speaker on issues of adolescence, families, and parenting. A 19-year veteran of schools in the roles of counselor, dean of students, teacher, and consultant, Riera lives with his wife and two kids in Berkeley, California.

ANNOTATION

In a question-and-answer format, this book helps parents understand and cope with issues of alcohol, drugs, parties, academics, sex, eating disorders, homosexuality, divorce and remarriage. The author's unpatronizing approach to teenagers sets his book above the rest by promoting communication and understanding between parents and their emerging adult-children.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

If your teenagers are driving you crazy, Michael Riera has the answers. In this revised and updated edition of Uncommon Sense for Parents with Teenagers, veteran educator Riera takes an in-depth look at the most common issues facing parents and teens: alcohol and drugs, academics, sex and dating, divorce, sports, and extracurricular activities. He also tackles kids' newest challenges: text messaging and the Internet, changing driver's license requirements, fad diets and exercise, and more. Offering parents a fresh interpretation of adolescence-that period of growth that is too often misunderstood as a phase to be dreaded instead of enjoyed-Riera recommends some unexpected, yet ultimately successful approaches to parenting. With an unusual appreciation for this stage of life, Riera channels his unpatronizing approach and two decades of experience working with teens into this optimistic and indispensable handbook.

SYNOPSIS