He may push you away and claim that you embarrass him but your adolescent son needs your guidance and discipline now more than ever. The Everything Guide to Raising Adolescent Boys will help you make sense of your changing role as your son morphs from cuddly, loveable rascal to surly, untouchable teenager.\ This essential guide shows you what to expect from your maturing son and how to handle typical adolescent growing pains, including:\ \ Sex and dating\ Drug and alcohol abuse\ Academic...
He may push you away and claim that you embarrass him but your adolescent son needs your guidance and discipline now more than ever. The Everything Guide to Raising Adolescent Boys will help you make sense of your changing role as your son morphs from cuddly, loveable rascal to surly, untouchable teenager.This essential guide shows you what to expect from your maturing son and how to handle typical adolescent growing pains, including:Sex and datingDrug and alcohol abuseAcademic issuesMoney and responsibilityUnderstand the challenges your son faces and equip him with the tools he needs to become a confident, independent teenager. With your help, your son won't just survive-he'll thrive!
Introduction xiDefinition of Adolescent Boys 1Being a Boy 1The Difference a Year Makes 2The Eating and Sleeping Machine 3Physical Changes 5Emotional Changes 7Thinking Changes 9Parenting Boys 11How Boys Are Different 11Single Children 13Having Siblings 14Birth Order 16Staying Connected with Your Son 21Communication Skills for Parents of Teens 21Finding a Time and Place to Talk 23What Not to Do 25Talking to Your Son 28The Family Meal 30Communicating with Other Parents 33Family Matters 34Effective Discipline Techniques 37Defining Discipline 37Setting Boundaries 40How to Fight 42Natural or Logical Consequences 45The Follow-Through 47Let Him Be the Judge 48Punishing Yourself 50Your Son's Self-Esteem 53What IsSelf-Esteem? 53Finding the Good 56Watching Criticism 58Bullying 60Fear of Failure 65Fear of Success 67Pressure to Be Perfect 69Your Son's Self-Image 71Body Image 71Appearance and Cleanliness 73Trends and Designer Clothes 75His Space 78The Physical Nature of Boys 80Building Your Son's Character 85Critical Thinking 85Compassion 87Empathy 89Tolerance 90Volunteerism 92Religion and Spirituality 94Developing a Sense of Responsibility 97Time Management for Teens 97Building a Work Ethic 99Earning and Respecting Privacy 101Cash or Credit: Managing Money 103His First Job 105Big Boys and Their Big Toys 107Home Alone as a Latchkey Kid 108Social Issues 111Being an Individual 111Manners for Young Men 113Awareness of Others 114Dealing with Anger 115How to Be a Good Friend 117Driving: The Rules and the Rights 119Virtual Society: Texting, Chatting, E-mailing, and Blogging 122School Issues 127Homework Hassles 127Finding Learning Styles and Differences 129Dealing with an Underachiever 133Dealing with an Overachiever 135Outside Influences 139Who Has Power and Why? 139Friends 141Peer Pressure 143School 146Television and Movies 148Music and Music Videos 151Video Games 152The Internet 154Risky Business 157Tobacco: Chew, Snuff, and Cigarettes 157Alcohol 160Inhalants 162Steroids 164Abusing Legal Drugs 166Illegal drugs 169Defining the Rules 174When to Get Professional Help 176Types of Help Available 177Dating and Sexuality 181Having "The Talk" 181Sexual Orientation 186Masturbation 188Dating Responsibly 190Girlfriends 192Friends Who Are Girls 194Technical Virginity 196Dating Violence 198Coping with Mental Health Issues and Problem Behaviors 201Identifying Problem Behavior 201Bad Attitude and Negativity 203ADHD and ADD 205Lying 207Stealing 209Violence 211Depression and Suicide 212Living in a Fantasy World 215Surviving and Thriving During His Adolescence 217Don't Relive Your Own Adolescence 217Letting Go 219Accommodating Changing Interests 220Avoiding Conflict 223Rescuing Your Son 224Refocusing Your Energies 226Seeing Your Son as a Man 228Resources 231Ten Conversations to Have with Your Son 245Index 254