With her professional training and experience, the author is able to mix parenting theory with hand-picked examples to help parents penetrate the confusion around adolescent speech and behavior, pinpoint the underlying emotional issues behind problem behaviors, and better empathize with the needs and circumstances of their children.
The book is packed with clear, practical advice. When confronted with falling grades (a common concern of Asian parents), the author advises first understanding the child’s internal motivations, and then helping them identify small steps that can be taken to improve. When dealing with direct challenges from children, the author recommends first looking at the origin of the behavior, and the influence of their environment. How can stressed and busy parents learn to better empathize with their adolescent children? Don’t immediately contradict your child’s opinions, nor act as if ideal behavior should be taken for granted. Even these small steps can begin to have a positive impact on the relationship.
More than just an instruction manual for parenting adolescent children, this is a personal growth book that encourages parents to develop their own self-awareness. Parents must engage in sincere self-reflection before they can effectively deal with the rebellion, anxiety, and emotions coming out of their adolescent children. Only then can they properly support and love their children through this stormy transition into the independence of adulthood.