What's My Teenager Thinking?: Practical Child Psychology for Modern Parents (For Age 13 to 18)

A practical guide to parenting 13-18 year olds that applies psychology to over 100 everyday scenarios. Parenting just got tougher. As the teenage brain rewires, hormones surge, and independence beckons, a perfect storm for family conflict emerges. But help is at hand. This uniquely practical parenting book for raising teenagers in today's world is grounded in evidence-based psychology, exploring the science at work during this period of child development and showing how your behaviour and response as a parent has never been more important. Taking over 100 everyday scenarios, the book tackles real-world situations head-on, from what to do when your teenager slams their bedroom door in your face to how to handle concerns such as online safety and sex. You'll discover how you can create a supportive environment at home and what you can say and do to help your teenager manage whatever life brings. Get through the tough times together and emerge with a relationship based on mutual respect and understanding CONTENTS 5 Foreword 8 CHAPTER 1 Understanding the teenage years 11 Your own teenage years 12 Your teenager’s brain 14 Navigating the teenage years 16 Enjoying life with your teenager 20 CHAPTER 2 Your 13–14-year-old 23 I’ll tidy my room in a minute 24 I need a new phone 26 How tall will I get? 28 There’s nothing to eat 30 I’ve got nothing to wear 32 Parents’ survival guide Social media 34 They’re so cute 36 It’s always my fault 38 I hate you! 40 Parents’ survival guide Communicating with teens 42 I showered last week 44 She’s such a bitch! 46 I’ve got too much to do 48 I skipped lunch 50 That’s kids’ stuff 52 Parents’ survival guide Peer pressure and “FOMO” 54 I need a new bra 56 He keeps picking on me 58 Parents’ survival guide Friendship issues 60 Everyone gets better marks than me 62 Can I skip PE? 64 I’m not hungry in the morning 66 You’re so embarrassing 68 This is so boring 70 He shared this picture 72 Parents’ survival guide Self-harm 74 I didn’t slam the door! 76 I’m not going to school 78 Someone has tagged me in a horrible picture 80 Everyone writes this much 82 I saw this picture 84 I’m so hairy 86 She’s a slut 88 Everyone else plays this computer game 90 It’s my phone 92 I’m going on the march 94 CHAPTER 3 Your 15–16-year-old 97 Stop following me on social media 98 Let me sleep! 100 I can’t go out, my skin’s terrible 102 He’s just a friend 104 Parents’ survival guide Sex and contraception 106 All my friends dye their hair 108 I need some shaving stuff 110 I’ve got to work out 112 You never listen 114 Parents’ survival guide Sexuality and gender 116 All my friends look amazing 118 Can I have next week’s allowance? 120 You swear, why can’t I? 122 I am revising 124 Just one more game 126 I’m staying in 128 Parents’ survival guide Exam support 130 Get out of my room 132 She’s your favourite 134 Parents’ survival guide Step-families 136 Whatever! 138 I’m telling the truth 140 I’ll wear what I want 142 You always criticize 144 Parents’ survival guide Talking about pornography 146 My teacher hates me 148 Dad said I could 150 I don’t know how those cigarettes got into my bag 152 Help! I’m already late! 154 My life is over if I don’t get these grades 156 Parents’ survival guide Eating issues 158 I’m going anyway 160 I don’t have time 162 I don’t feel safe at school 164 We’re going out together 166 I haven’t touched the gin 168 Can I get driving lessons? 170 I’m gay 172 CHAPTER 4 Your 17–18-year-old 175 Why do you have to speak to my teacher? 176 You don’t know my friends like I do 178 I thought it was a free period 180 Can I get my lips done? 182 Parents’ survival guide Anxiety and depression 184 I think I’ll take a gap year 186 Can you do it? 188 Can my boyfriend sleep over? 190 Parents’ survival guide Consent 192 You only live once 194 I’m getting a tattoo 196 Parents’ survival guide Drugs 198 We broke up 200 I miss you 202 Vaping isn’t bad for you 204 I’m worried about the future 206 Sorry you haven’t heard from me 208 Index 210 Acknowledgments 216 This practical guide explores the science at work during the teenage years. Discover how to create a supportive environment and communicate with confidence to help your teenager