Editorial Review
Every teenager rebels against authority at some point--talks back, breaks curfew, or disobeys. But literally millions of teens take their rebellion to a point where it disrupts their families and endangers their own futures or even their lives. If one of these teens is yours, you've probably lived through years of conflicting advice and pat solutions that don't last. Finally, this breakthrough guide from a master therapist will show you the seven steps to positive, permanent change for you and your teenager:
1. Learn the real reasons for teen misbehavior.
2. Make an ironclad contract to stop that behavior.
3. Troubleshoot future problems.
4. End button-pushing.
5. Stop the "seven aces" -- from disrespect to threats of violence.
6. Mobilize outside help.
7. Reclaim lost love within the family.
Clear, compassionate, and packed with real-life solutions to real-life problems, this book gives parents the tools they need to turn their families' lives around for good.
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Customer Reviews
Practical Interventions For Parenting 
2008-05-31
On the tradition of Jay Haley's Leaving Home Dr. Sells provide observable,measurable and effective ways on how to parent troubled children/adolescents.
Nowadays there is too much rethoric in family therapy literature. Dr. Sells is an exemption.
Parents Beware 
2007-12-07
Perhaps this book should have been titled, "Parenting your extremely disrespectful teen".
I read the first couple of chapters of this book with some hope that the author understood the deep frustration that parents of a wild teen are going through. While I still feel that to be true, the author continually addresses such "out of control" behaviors as "swearing" and "refusing to clean his room". If only those were the problems we were facing in our home!
I searched the book for the two primary problems which we are facing, which are lying and promiscuity. Sadly, the author does not address these two subjects in any detail. In short, he gives no strategies whatsoever to deal with those problems. If your teen is TRULY out of control, you may want to get this book from the library first and see if the issues you are facing are addressed before spending any money.
Not very realistic 2007-10-16
We would have a problem applying some of the heavy techniques in this book for our moderately out-of-control kids. I think this is a good book for those with seriously out of control teenagers. However for both the serious and less serious cases, some of the recommendations in the book are just too unrealistic, and a little repetitive.
Horrid ! 
2007-09-03
This book was recommended by a therapist while we were struggling with our soon to be 15 year old at the time. It was devasting. The concepts and suggestions are embarressing, insulting and degrading to teenagers and show no respect for their individualism, personal struggles or pain. Neither does it truly take into account how many of these teenagers have special needs that need to be considered with patience, humility and self restraint on the part of Authoritarian parents. It is rough having an out of control child. It hurts the entire family and many tears are shed but to further alienate these children is offensive. I know. I did it. I read the book and threw it out. After too much money spent on therapy and programs and taking advice from too many school counselors I found
"Positive Discipline For Teenagers" by Jane Nelson and Lynn Lott. What a concept! Respect these Teenagers! A year ago I was worried my son might end up in jail. Today I'm worried if he is getting enough protein! He is a conscientious cheerfull young man who respects life, is a Vegan and spends time on his own learning to control his anger and disabilities and discusses openly with his Father and I.Thanks to Jane and Lynn for their wonderful book.
Get "Positive Discipline for Teenagers" before your child hits puberty and stay clear of "Parenting Your Out of Control Teenager". Learn to respect and love each other now.
A great Buy! 2007-08-09
A must buy for beneficial strategic parenting info! Good information to help recognize various behavioral patterns.
This book is a must have 2007-05-31
Every teenager rebels against authority at some point--talks back, breaks curfew, or disobeys. But literally millions of teens take their rebellion to a point where it disrupts their families and endangers their own futures or even their lives. If one of these teens is yours, you've probably lived through years of conflicting advice and pat solutions that don't last. Finally, this breakthrough guide from a master therapist will show you the seven steps to positive, permanent change for you and your teenager:
1. Learn the real reasons for teen misbehavior.
2. Make an ironclad contract to stop that behavior.
3. Troubleshoot future problems.
4. End button-pushing.
5. Stop the "seven aces" -- from disrespect to threats of violence.
6. Mobilize outside help.
7. Reclaim lost love within the family.
Clear, compassionate, and packed with real-life solutions to real-life problems, this book gives parents the tools they need to turn their families' lives around for good.
Fabulous!!!!! 2007-05-08
I have learned so much from this book! I would recomend it to any one with kids. (they will be teens one day!) Kids don't have to be out of control before you look for advice. We all could use a little know how before we get to the out of control point. Thank you Scott P. Sells!!!!
Tools for Your Parenting Tool Kit 
2007-04-18
My suggestion to all parents I work with is always to read as wide a variety of books as possible - and this is one I reccommend. Scott Sells works from the premise that teens are happier when they know the boundaries. This is true however I would like to suggest that this is balanced with a parenting approach based on unconditional love Unconditional Parenting: Moving from Rewards and Punishments to Love and Reasonand that when this is the basis you are working from your teen is less likely to become uncontrollable.
One of the most important details relating to Sells' book is that it generally relates to teens that have no underlying causes to their behaviors.
Most Teens I work with have suffered abondonment, neglect, adverse effects of broken families, a lack of responsible adult role models of both sexes. When an adolescent is suffering in some way or has experienced trauma the way the tend to communicate is via acting out. It is important at these times to distinguish this behavior as a plea for help! It is often preferable to involve a professional as you are not just dealing with behaviors but underlying problems which must be resolved.
Remember your teen is not their behavior. Love them unconditionally and use the whole range of resources: books, family, counsellors, doctors, community to assist them to grow up to be happy, healthy, responsible adults!
Buy it!! 2007-03-03
I was looking for concrete, specific actions to reduce the fighting between myself and my 13 year old daughter. I also knew she was not grasping the concept of the role she plays in determining her own circumstances. With only 1 contract in place (just about keeping her room clean), things have already improved. She THANKED me for writing the contract, and wants to know when I will be done with the one about school work!
Truly, this book is the best eleven bucks I've spent in years.
Excellent Buy! 2007-01-09
I have used this book to work with clients with out of control teenagers and this book delivers. It is specific, and easy to understand and implement. HIGHLY recommend to those with, or working with others with out of control teens.
