Book overview
Are you tired of the constant arguments, the slammed doors, and the feeling that you and your teenager are living in two different worlds?
If your attempts to control your teen's behavior only lead to more conflict and disconnection, you are not alone. World-renowned psychiatrist William Glasser, M.D., explains that the problem isn't you or your child--it's the outdated "external control psychology" that almost all parents use.
In For Parents and Teenagers, Dr. Glasser offers a revolutionary new path forward that has helped countless families. He demonstrates that the secret to a better relationship isn't more rules or stricter punishments, but rather giving up coercive control to build a bond based on trust and respect. This practical parenting advice provides the tools you need to stop fighting with your teenager and start connecting with them again.
Dr. Glasser replaces frustrating power struggles with a proven, relationship-first approach based on his groundbreaking Choice Theory, showing you how to:
- Stop Controlling and Start Connecting: Learn why common-sense tactics like punishing, threatening, and nagging--what Dr. Glasser calls the "seven deadly habits"--are guaranteed to fail and what to do instead.
- Understand Teenage Behavior: Discover the five basic genetic needs (love and belonging, power, freedom, fun, and survival) that drive your teen's choices and learn how to address them constructively.
- Build Trust and Respect: Implement the "seven connecting habits," including caring, listening, supporting, and negotiating, to rebuild your relationship on a foundation of mutual respect, not fear.
- Navigate Difficult Issues with Confidence: Apply these proven strategies to real-world problems, with case studies covering everything from school failure and peer pressure to anorexia and drug use.
