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Teenage behavior has been quite confusing to parents for years, especially now when the slightest mistakes can turn a teen to the wrong direction if he isn’t observed correctly by his parents.
Is your teen just in a phase? “When to Worry” by Lisa Boesky
Lisa Boesky is a child and adolescent psychologist from San Diego. She wrote “When to Worry” in order to aid parents with heavy questions regarding teens.
"One of the big things to keep in mind is that all teenagers are moody. It doesn't mean they have bipolar disorder. They may have a difficult time focusing. They don't all have ADHD," says Boesky. Boesky mentions that as kids become 13 or 14 they will start showing new behaviors that can be considered normal. She says, “Besides moodiness, they sleep more, may be rebellious and just don't want to talk to you.”
“Boundaries With Teens” by John Townsend
John Townsend, who wrote the 2006 book "Boundaries With Teens," states that the level of connection to or detachment from parents is significant. "If they're talking about their life and you know how they're doing, it's a good sign. If you have no idea what's going on in their life, that's not a good sign. I don't believe that every problem requires a therapist. Part of the job of parenting is helping kids succeed with problems. Help them come up with solutions," says Townsend. “Bad Children Can Happen to Good Parents” by Norman Hoffman
Norman Hoffman is a licensed mental-health counselor from Ormond Beach, Florida. He wrote "Bad Children Can Happen to Good Parents," advising parents that kids that seem to be loner children need not be such a big worry. "Being a loner is not in itself pathological. Many loners can be very successful individuals when they grow up," he says. “The Teen Whisperer: How to Break Through the Silence and Secrecy of Teenage Life” by Mike Linderman
Mike Linderman is a licensed professional counselor of teenagers at the Elk Mountain Academy, a therapeutic boarding school which mainly handles teenagers struggling with substance abuse in Clark Fork, Idaho.
"Parents' gut instincts are right on the money. They say they knew it. They could feel it, but they didn't want to admit it. They need to remove that denial." Says Linderman
Check out these books for any helpful tips on exposing signs of a troubled teenager before your teen gets in any trouble.
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