Help for Parents of Teenagers

My son is 12 and will officially enter the realm of adolescence in a matter of months. I can't tell you how many times I've heard dire warnings and grave well wishes from parents who have been there and know firsthand the unique challenges that go along with parenting teenagers. I've assumed for some time that parents-in-the-know exaggerate the difficulties facing parents of teenagers for comic effect. But as my son nears the age of 13, I'm forced to consider that maybe they aren't kidding. Already I struggle to deal with behaviors and attitudes I've never encountered in my son before. Fortunately, there's a wealth of advice and help for parents of teenagers available to guide those of us new to parenting adolescents.

Expert Help for Parents of Teenagers

Dr. David Laing Dawson is the author of The Adolescent Owner's Manual and our guest on this week's edition of the HealthyPlace Mental Health TV Show. Dr. Dawson is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and has been focusing on children, teens and families for over ten years. His book offers a refreshing look at the puzzling world faced by today's teens and their parents who are trying to guide them. Incorporating advances in neuroscience, Dr. Dawson clearly describes how teen brains work and offers practical advice and help for parents of teenagers in a fun and relaxing style.

Your goal as a parent should be to get your adolescent child into adulthood, alive, healthy, preferably educated and skilled, without a major drug problem or criminal record or pregnancy. Anything more is icing and a pleasure to behold. - Dr. David Laing Dawson

Video on Parenting Teenagers

Watch the video interview with Dr. Dawson, Successfully Parenting Your Adolescent, as he discusses some common parenting challenges and offers practical help for parents of teenagers.

You can find all mental health video interviews from the HealthyPlace Mental Health TV Show in the table of contents.

Share Your Experiences with Parenting Teenagers

Are you the parent of a teenager? What challenges do you encounter? What strategies and tools have you found most effective? We invite you to call us at 1-888-883-8045 and share your experiences, insights, and help for parents of teenagers. (Info on Sharing Your Mental Health Experiences here.) You can also leave comments below.