ADD/ADHD Resource Reviews

adders.org Book Review



What Can the Parent of a Teenager Do?
by Michael and Terri Quinn

I have only seen this handbook which is part of complete resource kit which includes a video and facilitators handbook to enable the 6-8 week course to be run for parents of teenagers called "parenting teenagers programmes".

I would have liked to be able to review the whole package as her feel that it would have been of great benefit to add as a whole resource.

However handbook does give a good insight into the basis of their course. It is divided into chapters - each to address one of the major issues addressed in the parenting programme.

It starts by an issue looking at what parents of doing at present and suggests that we as parents should congratulate ourselves for all we are doing right. Going on to look at ways we can improve our communication with our teens and ideas to help cope with the inevitable mood swings, arguments and annoying habit of ad teens and ways to work on mutual co-operation and responsibility. Looking at the issue of respect - of the parent of the teenager and vice versa, how to build up mutual respect, as a parent we should not expect any child to instinctively show respect to any adults unless they are shown some respect by adults themselves.

With practical ideas for helping to create a framework for both discipline and respect within the family as a whole to help parents to empower their teens to be prepared to enter adult life as responsible and complete adults.

Handbook shows that the programme is designed to stimulate discussion among all parents who attend who will be varied and from all walks of life. Ideas and strategies, which have worked for some parent in the past, may be helpful to others in the group.

I think this would be a really useful program - at least if the handbook is anything to go by, for use by support groups or other organisations working with young people.

The handbook itself is a great resource for individuals and organisations on it's own.

Sarah-Jayne Bass (formerly Caroline Hensby) - adders.org