Some Things About Teens

A lot has changed since those of us raising adolescents were teens ourselves. As a former high school teacher, counsellor and now parenting author MaggieDent (who is a mum to four adult sons) has spent much of her life living and working with adolescents.

This little book is a compilation of articles and blog posts “all about teens”, which Maggie has written over the years and which draw on research, common-sense wisdom and her own experiences. Even though it says ‘teens’, we’re really talking here about the whole period of adolescence, which runs from approximately 12-25.

The book covers topics for parents, teachers and those who work with adolescents, covering areas such as:

• how to find a healthy balance with screens and gaming
• talking to teens about alcohol and other drugs
• why emotional turmoil in adolescence is normal
• why we need to know about the teen tipping point
• helping our teen girls with volatile emotions
• understanding smelly, unmotivated, grumpy boys at 14
• teaching with the teen brain in mind
• understanding the teen mask

… and so much more.

With humour and wisdom — and a healthy dose of irreverence — Maggie shares her insights and strategies for better understanding, supporting, and connecting and communicating with the adolescents in your life in an easy-to-read format.

Contents:

Introduction

• Exploring the generation chasm between today’s parents and teens

Actions, distractions and a healthy balance

• Why I’m glad my sons took up surfing
• Teen boys and gaming: The 10 agreements for healthy balance
• Talking to teens about alcohol and other drugs
• Alcohol and adolescents
• The nightmare of adolescent sleep

Exploring emotions and tipping points

• Why emotional turmoil is normal for adolescents
• Beware the teen tipping point
• Taming the teen stress monster
• Why are we so frightened of big emotions that are incredibly normal?
• Helping your teen girl with volatile emotions

Devices, disconnection and depression

• Adolescent stress
• Healing our profound wound of human disconnectedness
• Supporting your teen through grief
• Friendless teens

How can we help?

• Best-ever communication tips around teens
• Top tips for caring communication
• Tips for boosting your brain
• Raising awesome teens in a chaotic, sexualised world
• Youth suicide prevention starts with grown-ups

Teen’s survival guide

• Surviving the first week of high school
• Leaving high school and joining the school of life: Words of caution 
and hope
• Helping our teen girls shine
• Being a wise ‘wonder woman’ teen girl out and about
• Dear mums of smelly, unmotivated, lazy, moody and confused 
14-year-old boys

Articles for teachers

• Using visualisation and mental rehearsal in the classroom
• Teaching with the teen brain in mind
• Understanding the need for the ‘teen mask’ in the classroom
• Adolescence unplugged: part 1
• Adolescence unplugged: part 2

Top tips and notes

• 21 steps to success, assertiveness and wellbeing
• Adolescent life skills list
• Top tips for teens: How to nurture yourself
• Support services and helplines
• Social media reminder cards

References and recommended reading                       

 Recap: Safe stress busters