Preparing for Adolescence. How to Survive the Coming Years of Change

Customer Reviews

opening the door of communication

2008-04-07
How do you get started on the subject of the birds and bees? It seems all you need is for someone to shove you through the door (with your fingernails leaving ruts in the door way!). The book opens the door gently for you and your kid. The 3rd chapter covers all the physiology and does it so easily. The rest of the book surprised me with the emotional and mental changes. My daughter has requested I read the rest of the book aloud to her. I read it first and wished I had had this book as a kid. Dobson says that about 85% of pre-adolescent kids willing and desiring to talk to the parents close down communication after the onset of puberty. Do the right thing for your kids before it's too late.

Mother of five

2008-04-05
This product was bought for our oldest, the first to reach this age. It was all we hoped it would be and was a great jumping off point for a conversation that we were a bit unsure of how to start. It was very well received and we intend to use it with the next four or more if God continues to bless us. This was a very tastefully done approach to a very tender subject. And it leaves just the right amount of room open to add or not add more if the child is ready. This was just what we were looking for.

Preparing for Adolescence

2007-10-06
What parent is prepared for the roller coaster ride of adolescence when their first child starts "growing up"? I thought I wouldn't have to think about it until my child was 13! Ha! The moodiness has already started -- at 10!

I enjoyed this book by Dr. Dobson, a well known & trusted author. The book helps the parent see this phase from the child's perspective and is written in a style the child can relate to. It assists them in trying to make sense of it all. It offers the child a preview of what to expect as radical physical and emotional changes begin and suggestions of how to handle them with practical common sense and their faith. The section addressing the "facts of life" is respectful, frank and thorough, but only offers age appropriate "details". It is appropriate enough for a 10 year old.

The book cover-to-cover may not keep the attention of a 10-12 year old who is accustomed to reading "action" type books, but if they are searching for answers, it's all there. Whether you buy the book for guidance as a parent, for your child to read, or as a tool to open up discussion on these topics, it is a worthwhile purchase.

Used in small groups

2007-07-25
We used the Preparing for Adolescence book for our Disciple Now with 5th and 6th graders. We went through this book over the weekend. The social issues that we discussed are appropriate for students. The author writes at a level that students can understand.

We will use this again for sure.

Excellent Material

2007-07-19
I listened to this entire CD series with my son on a road trip to the Michigan Dunes. All I can say is that I wish that I heard this material when I was 13. Growing up is tough and Dobson handles sensitive topics like, deep insecurities, lack of identity, sexuality, emotions and conformance with the wisdom and experience of a clinical child psychologist who could also be your father sitting down with you at the kitchen table. Thanks Dr. Dobson!! My son loved it!!

Great Stuff for Parents

2007-01-18
Adolescence brings with it many physical, emotional and mental changes. This 10-session study, based on the bestselling series by Dr. James Dobson will help youth (ages 9-14) understand those changes-what they are, why they happen and their importance as steps in the process of becoming an adult. This guide is designed for use in group settings such as Sunday School classes, youth-group or small-group meetings

Students will learn how to deal with feelings of inferiority, develop self-confidence, stand up to group pressure, say no to drugs and alcohol, make sound decisions based on God's will for their lives, understand their urges for independence and much more. This is an excellent program for any setting in which there are young teens and preteens to teach!

Good Advice for Teens 2006-02-07
I purchased this book for a niece who is almost twelve and has recently lost her mother because of a traffic accident. This book offers good advice to young people who wish to make wise, godly choices. I, like Dr. Dobson, value the Bible-based teachings that this country was founded on. Secular people will not like this book.

Outstanding experience for pre-teens 2006-01-18
My wife took our 10 year old daughter (5 years ago, shopping trip), and I took my 11 year old son (1 year ago, snowmobiling) on overnights, as suggested. Our kids considered it a rite of passage and looked forward to the trips with great anticipation.

Dobson teaches about the many changes of adolescence, which has helped each of our teens to avoid the many pitfalls of that age(so far!). We have loaned the tapes to many friends, and each have been pleased with the experience.

Many ask when to do this trip with their child. Dobson recommends right before puberty- when the child will still think sex is "gross", but old enough to have interest and understand.

This sure beats the talks our parents had with us!

Typical rightwing garbage 2005-08-24
The book pretty much presents itself the opposite of what it claims to be about. How can you just expect teenagers to avoid the dangers if you don't allow them to be well educated about it. Remember the "Just say no" program that was supposed to bring down drug addiction? Well, telling teenagers simply not to do it only encouraged more of the same and it's certainly no different when it comes to sex. No wonder the Bible belt has higher cases of teen pregnancy for following Dobson's pathetic advice whereas the West coast and the Northeast have far lower numbers and percentages of teen pregnancy by providing sex education to students. If you're going to read this book, be warned that the author is just another rightwing special interest hack.

8 CD package 2004-11-10
This is the 8 CD Package Family CD Pack. I don't know why they added the word "abridged" to the title but it includes everything that was on the cassette tape set.

Here's the contents -
CD 1 - for parents, with guidelines on what to expect and what to say.
CDs 2-7 - for young people ages 9 to 14, covering important topics.
CD 8 - for parents to listen to first, with answers to the questions young people ask.

This is a *great* series created by a man who is a medical doctor, a family councelor, a father and a Biblically based Christian.

This series covers *everything* to help your child (and yourself) survive the approaching adolescent storms.