by: Christina Botto

BookWire's "Year in Reviews Magazine," December 2006 issue, lists a review of my book "Help Me With My Teenager! A Step-by-step Guide for Parents that Works."

In this positive review, the critic states:

“Help Me With My Teenager! speaks in a clear and understandable language directly to parents. Some techniques, such as stopping whatever you're doing when your teen is ready to talk, will be difficult for already busy parents to implement. However, the extra effort promises to pay excellent dividends in the form of a healthier, more supportive relationship."

I never said it was easy or that no effort on the parent's part is necessary.

As a matter of fact, throughout my book I emphasize that parents will need to utilize a lot of self-control and implement strategies before responding to their teen's questions or behavior.

The statement "stopping whatever you're doing will be difficult to implement for already busy parents" touches on one of the most important factors when it comes to parenting your teenager.

To put this issue into perspective, here is the following analogy:

Consider you are working for a large company, managing a department of several employees. You double task by managing your group, as well as working on projects assigned to you by your supervisor.

What do you do when one of your employees interrupts you with a question while you are focusing on your project?

You stop...

Not because you want to, but because you have to. Your management position requires it.

If you choose to tell your employee: "Come back later" or "I really cannot deal with this right now" you are not doing your job as a manager and your review will reflect this. Furthermore, your employees will stop coming to you with their questions, deal with their problems the best way they can, and eventually lead your department into a complete state of chaos.

Being a manager – guiding other employees so they will succeed and excel in what they're doing – is what upper management expects of you.

Parenting your teenager is very similar to being a manager.

Instead of guiding and assisting strangers, however, you are supporting and helping you own child. Are you sure you want to leave your teenager to fend on his own because you're an "already busy parent?"

We cannot escape the duties of our individual jobs, so we try to keep additional pressures at bay when we can. It's so easy to tell your teen that you really don't have time for their concerns. He'll say "OK" and walk away – and you're ready to continue with whatever you were doing.

By avoiding listening to your teen when he needed your opinion or help you, saved yourself five minutes.

For your teenager, however, these five minutes would have meant getting your help and advice instead of being left to deal with his issue on his own.

Five minutes would have meant that he is important enough for you to stop what you're doing and help him – instead of being scolded for interrupting your busy life.

Additionally, without your input your teen has a greater chance of making the wrong decision.

Then, when faced with the results, we often ask "What were you thinking? Why didn’t you come to me and ask for help? "

You want your teen to stay out of trouble and you want your teen to succeed. He cannot do this alone. He needs your guidance and support.

Your time is needed, not just for a better relationship with your teenager, but for your teen to make better choices, resist peer pressure, and stay out of trouble.

To resist and cope with the pressures of growing up, your teen needs to know that he matters in your life and that he can come to you for help and advice.   Your teen needs you - even if he acts otherwise.

About The Author

Christina Botto is a member of the National Writers Association and the author of Help Me With My Teenager! A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents That Works. She has also recently published a 3 volume series dealing with specific issues facing teens and parents today, Fitting The Pieces. The series contains unique insight into the minds of teens, with hundreds of interviews with teens and their parents – and practical advice on dealing with some of the biggest problems faced by parents with teens.

To learn more about these life-changing strategies to bring you and your teen closer together – and put an end to the frustration and madness of a dysfunctional parent-teen relationship, pick up your copy of Christina's Help Me With My Teenager! A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents That Works today.

“This guide is a no nonsense "how-to" that is likely to save many relationships.”

— Heather Froeschl, BookReview.com