Whatever. Fine. Not. Don’t despair parents! Your children haven’t been taken over by an alien race; it’s just teen speak that you are left to decipher. And just like any foreign language, you only need patience and a good dictionary to get you through the rough times. Enter Barbara Greenberg, PhD and Jennifer Powell-Lunder, PsyD, authors of “Teenage as a Second Language, A Parent’s Guide to Becoming Bilingual,” a must-have for any parent that has suffered through hours of one-word responses and frustrating attempts at conversation.
Their sensitive approach to navigating the turbulent waters of “teendom” gives parents hope that all is not lost, just a little misplaced.
The guide addresses every situation from how to successfully approach conversations regarding sensitive topics to avoid falling into the trap of “Because I said so.”
You will also find segments which serve as quick conversation starters and easy ways to understand the most commonly misunderstood words, phrases and nonverbal language that your teen can throw at you.
Remember that as with learning any new language, practice is key and the more teenage you speak, the more comfortable you will become on the road to fluency.
So the next time the frustration levels make your head want to explode, chillax and reach for your copy of the guide. The insightful strategies you learn will keep the lines of communication open and your home from becoming a battleground.
“Teenage as a Second Language, A Parent’s Guide to Becoming Bilingual,” by Barbara Greenberg, PhD and Jennifer Powell-Lunder, PsyD (243 pgs. $14.95. Adamsmedia).
