The Grown-Up's Guide to Teenage Humans: How to Decode Their Behavior, Develop Unshakable Trust, and Raise a Respectable Adult

I was an extremely well-read mom on the in’s and out’s of parenting kids, but then my kids hit puberty and I basically felt like I was in a free-fall. And then I heard about this book. I cannot say enough good things about it! It feels like there are MANY parenting books out there regarding young children, but very few about teenagers. Even if there were a ton of teenage parenting books, though, this one would stand out. Josh is relatable, entertaining, and helps take the fear out of parenting teenagers and supporting them on their journey. Whether you have an “easy” teenager or one who is going through the worst challenges, this book helps you see how to parent with love, set boundaries, and let your child know you care. The sample contracts (with access to downloadable/editable versions) are gold. The conversation prompts are awesome. Probably my favorite part, though, is the hope that Josh has woven throughout. I don’t feel afraid anymore (most days—ha!). It’s like I have a mentor sitting beside me, validating my good efforts and helping me to see where I can level it up. Always, always with the reminder that my child is worth every hard thing, and that I am doing life-changing work here.

I don’t usually take the time to write reviews but I’d like to take the time on this one. I have two teenagers and I’m a single Mom. Quite frankly, I’m overwhelmed! I saw an advertisement for this book on Facebook and it actually had me LAUGHING! ME! Laughing about having teenagers! I decided that if an advertisement could do that, I would try the book. The book came today and can hardly put it down. But I have to because I’m a Mom. But, thank you! Truly...thank you for what I’m learning. I feel so empowered. I know it can only get better from here. And thanks for the laughs...it’s been a while.

There are some great treasures of knowledge in this book. I especially liked the reminder than even though teens may protest, they really want to spend time with their family. I also like that the focus in this book is on what primary caregivers can do for their children. Yes, it does take a village to raise a child. But there are tools in here which can help struggling parents, who really are the first line of defense for their kids’ well being. With that said, I also think there is a lot of unnecessary filler talk in this book. This may just be a style preference, but I skimmed through many pages until I would get to the practical applications I was looking for. For that reason, and the fact that I didn’t agree with everything in the book, I chose to give it 3 stars.

I had to read this for a graduate course on adolescent development, and I was impressed with the depth of research and consultation that the author completed in producing this funny, completely approachable, and hopeful book. Reading between the lines (and in the reference section), I recognized Eriksonian theory, Attachment theory, and and current research on resilience lending support, when I might have expected this to be an anecdotal parenting guide. Mr. Shipp has an amazing story worth telling, but I'm also impressed with his collaboration to produce something beyond his biography that offers real, practical help for disconnected families. Parents, educators, volunteers, and professionals who work with teens will find it useful. I especially liked the case studies on Hubris and Humility--recognizing myself in common traps that parents fall into while raising teens.

What I thought was really helpful about this book was that it encourages you to reconceptualize your relationship to your teenager more constructively as that of "coach" rather than "boss." It also helps calm one down about the inevitable hassles around being disrespectful, not doing homework, and pushing boundaries in the million and one ways that teens do. Then it offers practical solutions for the more pressing issues. A tool in doing this that I particularly have found useful are behavioral contracts (on Shipp's website) that you can modify as needed. We have put both the general behavioral contract and the cellphone contract in place in our family and it was very helpful to clarify ground rules that were murky. Overall, Shipp's book both removed some responsibilities that I was carrying unnecessarily and implemented some new ones for me, and gave our teens a lot more ownership of their behaviors, which in retrospect they had been sorely lacking. We are only a few weeks into implementation of the contracts so I can't say the method has been life-changing, but it has definitely already led to several positive behavioral changes, which is going in the right direction.

After reading this book, I no longer feel so...lost. I have a plan, and I have learned so much about teenagers and, maybe more importantly, myself.I feel better equipped to deal with life right now, and I know I'll be referring back to this book in the future.P.S. I'm an avid reader. This is not the first parenting book I've read. But it is the best.

Absolutely talented author. Very knowledgeable and in areas where he may not be, he brings along other psychologist to help explain teen behavior and how to guide them along the process to adulthood.Easy and fun read. I have not highlighted books and bent pages since college but I felt compelled to do so on many occasions so I can go back and refresh my parenting skills.Thank you for writing this book and please write more... perhaps, “No longer teens, NOW WHAT???”

Just slap me, to wake me up! I really wish I would have know that this book uses sports as a knowledge foundation to build upon.... I will admit I have only made it 39 pages in so far, but its like pulling teeth. The future pages I have skimmed also reference sports, even mentioning ESPN. I guess if you ever played or liked watching sports this book is for you! I will try to push forth with it and hopefully persevere, the struggle will be epic. Suddenly I have one topic that I can relate to with my teen. Neither one of us understands sports.

This gets a five star review. This is only the second time I've written a review but this book is important enough to merit it. I was at my wit's end with my teenager and Josh's metaphor about the fair ground ride safety bar (however much your teen pushes you and challenges you, he wants you (the safety bar!) to hold) saved me. The book is full of similar examples which really resonated and ideas I have used from here have really improved our family life. Thanks so much to Josh for his honesty, his bravery and his hard work.

If your looking for manual in how to raise preteens and teenagers, this is it! Loved this book, easy to read, easy to understand and apply the ideas/concepts. It’s a must read in my opinion, I’ve been telling any one I know who have children. Wish I had cane acriss it before my boy turned 14, it would have been helpful in the other years of 10-13.

Very good book. An honest, funny and enlightening read that will genuinely help you build stronger relationships with any teens in your life. Already ordered a copy for a friend who has a teen. Also some amazing digital content came with it! Total bonus.

I'm not generally a fan of parenting books, but this one feels like they studied my kids and wrote a book about them. It leaves me feeling equipped to handle the future and feeling like I'm not alone with an abnormal kid. I'm giving this book to every parent I know.

The best book ever if you are raising teens.