Customer Reviews
Read this Book 
2008-06-22
Read this book and the sooner the better! Ideally you will read it by the time the kids are 12. There is value in picking the book up every so often to review the author's message. He is right on!
The book I keep going back to... 2008-05-23
An absolutely essential book for parents. Outlines the common sense approaches we forget in our rush to maintain total authority. Parenting teaches us how little absolute control we have, and that micromanaging will not produce a well-rounded adult from a challenging teenager. What we do have in abundance as parents is influence, and this book focuses on how best to assert that influence. With each new crisis, my first reaction is to try to control. My second reaction is to reach for this book and ponder the wisdom it offers in helping me to help my teenager. Of the several books in my parenting library, none approaches this book for completeness or efficacy. Thank you, Dr. Riera.
jury's still out... 
2007-10-24
well, about 1/3 in to this book and while i am sure it'll have a few nuggets, i think the problem is that it comes from an indulgent perspective. Poor adolescents. They have it so tough. We can't be judgmental. We can't impose our will/beliefs/way on them. They think we're idiots.
Well, there are nuggets of truth in there. But it is also the perspective of a society that has so much self doubt, is so riddled with the idiocy that my fellow baby boomers infused into our culture, that it is afraid to exercise its rights to parent. There's no reason is it different from the days I was raised - the 60's and 70's except that adolescents and their willing accomplices - teachers, media, shrinks, counselors - want it to be different. Why should a parent have authority? SURE, sure, sure, adolescents go through change. But Mr. Riera comes from a place many of us don't want to come from - Berkeley, and San Fran, and i don't think those students or teachers, or parents are exactly who we want to emulate while we are trying to keep our kids headed in the right direction. Raise an adolescent, yes. Indulge them? Ridiculous. So I am not sure this is the answer many parents are looking for (but you may want to check out Backtalk!, which might be...)
Helpful guide to living with teens 
2007-03-12
This book provided excellent parenting ideas for teens. My teen is more open with my husband and I after utilizing some of the techniques outlined.
Book review 2007-01-17
Good common sense suggestions. Referred by family therapist and was worth the read.
Prefer Developing Capable People 
2004-02-28
With more than 100,000 copies sold, Michael Riera’s UNCOMMON SENSE FOR PARENTS WITH TEENAGERS has ushered countless families through the trying years of adolescence. Offering a fresh interpretation of the teen years, Riera asserts that this period of a child’s growth is too often misunderstood as a phase to be dreaded instead of enjoyed. In this fully revised and updated edition, Riera tackles some of the newest issues facing parents and teens—text messaging and the Internet, changing driver’s license requirements, fad diets and exercise—and gives a second look to the old standbys—alcohol and drugs, academics, sex and dating, sports and extracurricular activities, eating disorders, making friends, single parenting, divorce, and more. Beginning with overviews of the parent-teenager relationship, the adolescent world, and high school, the bulk of the book comprises a series of responses to questions commonly asked by parents. Based on his 19 years as a teacher, counselor, dean of students, and parent, Riera recommends some unexpected—and ultimately successful—approaches, like "Communicate indirectly," "Let your teenager brood," and "Resist giving advice, even when your teenager asks for it." With a rare appreciation for this special developmental stage of life and an unpatronizing approach to teenagers, UNCOMMON SENSE FOR PARENTS WITH TEENAGERS is a beacon of optimism and hope for confused and wearied families everywhere.
Making sense of it all 2000-06-16
Most of us spend our entire adult life trying to figure out our own childhood, so it's no wonder that raising a child can seem confusing, challenging and at times scary. This book saved me. It taught me (or at least reminded me) that all teenagers go through enormous physical, psychological and social change in the high school years. While the specific behaviors will vary from child to child, there is a common thread running through it all -- and it makes sense. This book reassured me that my child wasn't abnormal, that I was right in being confused and sometimes appalled by their behavior. And it let me take a step back and not take it so personally. After reading this book, I bought a dozen copies to give to friends and business associates who were struggling with teenagers (or soon would be). Read this and both you and your child will benefit.
Uncommon Understanding! 1999-11-20
From a teenager who has read more than his fair share of parenting books, this one tops them off. On average, this book covers exactly what these types of books should. It doesn't just tell the parent to "talk more" with their teenager, it actually goes in depth about how the teenager thinks and feels. And, for the first time in my experience, it actually gets close! If you have teens, you should have this book.
this is the best 1999-10-31
If you want to read a book htat will really help you to relate to your teens this is the one. I am the co-author of the Chicken Soup for Teens series and author of TEEN LOVE and I know teens very well. This is the first time I have read a book for parents that has advice that will actually work..it will do more. It will make the relationship a good one. This is a must buy.
Good, compassionate, but unoriginal advice 1999-10-15
A one-note song: shift from "manager" to "counselor". Heavy emphasis on mother-daughter interactions. Little on fathers and sons.
