Clark's Eye on Books

by Clark Isaacs

35 Things Your Teen Won’t Tell You, So I Will

Author:  Ellen Pober Rittberg

ISBN: 978-1-59652-554-2, Pages: 160,   $9.99 Publication Date: January, 2010, Softcover, Self Help, Published by:  Turner Publishing

Today’s world demands a more challenging approach to raising teens. In the past, we gave our children the benefit of the doubt.  We were wrong.  Ellen Pober Rittberg gives good sound advice by showing how to cope and direct the teenager of today.  Her perspectives are invaluable in relation to the inner life of a teen and their bizarre behavior.  She sets out in clear detail, with a whole lot of humor, “35 Things Your Teen Won’t Tell You So I Will.”  Rittberg is a knowledgeable mother who has raised three children very close in age.  She says, “you are never alone and there is definitely  intelligent life out there…”

Parents want to be successful in rearing their children.  Rittberg calls attention to the facts that a “positive mental attitude….” together with “good values, common sense, a well-developed sense of responsibility…” and most important, “a sense of humor…” are needed.  And, do not try to sleep during those teenage years, as a watchful eye is needed at all times.

In her book, she indicates that one of the most significant factors in building a good child-parent relationship is to know your teen’s friends.  One way to get to know your child’s friends is to carpool.  Surprisingly, a great deal of information can be obtained about other teens, as many teenagers love to gossip about each other.  So, the more they gossip, the more you will know.  Also, get to know your child’s friends’ parents. Networking with them is a means to know where your child is, as teens are “always on the move”.

Rittberg goes on to discuss with conviction, that parents should never, ever, let teens have a party when you are not home.  Parents need to be there, and when they are, this gives teens a feeling of comfort.  This is a perfect opportunity to circulate, meet and observe your child’s friends. Encouraging parties at home will discourage teens from going elsewhere where alcohol might be present.  Parents, who think their teens don’t drink, oftentimes, find they do drink.  They seem to always be seeking places to party.  Teenagers respect parents who show concern and have rules which are enforced.

Rittberg discusses teens and working.  “Work gives them a sense of responsibility and keeps them out of trouble.”  However, to be a responsible parent, you will need to be sure they do not work too late while in school and that they work in a safe place.

Be prepared, Rittberg advises, that almost all teenagers lie.  Yes, they lie to avoid detection and generally will not tell on their friends.  This, she says, will only lead to bad behavior.  Unless you deal with lying immediately, they may become dishonest adults.  She believes in grounding and taking away privileges as a means of punishment for lying.

Ellen Pober Rittberg is a mom, a writer, attorney, an award-winning journalist, and a law guardian in family, supreme, and surrogate’s court. She writes with an attitude, having great wisdom and personal insight.  She says, her book does not contain any guaranties.

Parents don’t give up on your teens!  There is hope for you.  Every chapter in this book is informative by teaching 35 valuable lessons. All parents raising teenagers should read this book!  

Publisher Weekly Best Selling Books:

Week of March 1, 2010

Fiction

1 The Help. Kathryn Stockett;
Putnam/Amy Einhorn, $24.95. ISBN 9780399155345.
2  Worst Case. James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge;
Little, Brown, $27.99. ISBN ISBN 978-0-316-03622.
3 The Lost Symbol. Brown, Dan;
Doubleday, $29.95. ISBN 978-0-385-50422-5.
4 Winter Garden. Hannah, Kristin;
St. Martin's, $26.99. ISBN 978-0-312-36412-0.
5 Poor Little Bitch Girl, Jackie Collins;
St. Martin's, $26.99 ISBN: 978-0-312-56745-3

Non-Fiction

1. Game Change, Heilemann, John;
Harper, $27.99 ISBN: 9780061733635
2. The Politician, Andrew Young;
St. Martin's/Thomas Dunne, $24.99 ISBN: 9780312640651
3. I Am Ozzy, Ozzy Osbourne;
Grand Central, $26.99 ISBN: 9780446569897
4. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Rebecca Skloot;
Crown, $26 ISBN: 978-1-4000-5217-2
5. Have a Little Faith, Albom, Mitch;
Hyperion, $23.99 ISBN: 978-0-7868-6872-8

Clark Isaacs is an accomplished book critic who is published in local newspapers and national book review lists. Visit Clark Isaacs at http://clarkisaacs.ning.com and tell him what you would like to have him write about.