Tips for making the most of the teenage years.
Raising a teen? Here’s some advice on getting along at home from the book “How to Survive Your Teenager” (Hundreds of Heads Books, www.hundredsofheads.com, $13.95), straight from people who’ve done it:
“I remember that when i was a teenager I liked to sleep in on the weekends. I could easily sleep until noon or later every day if my dad didn’t come in to get me out of bed. Now I’m not so sure they should have let me do that. I think it would be good for parents to get their teenagers in work mode while they are still in school so that the transition from the high school years to the working years isn’t so tough. Don’t be afraid to roust those kids out of bed. You can find something for them to do around the house.”
—Dan Santos, Greentree, Pa., father of one son, 20
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“I’ve been working with teenagers for 28 years now and I’ve learned that the basic kid is still the basic kid. If they have a good family life, they’ll usually be fine.”
—Frank Motta, high school principal, Palm Desert, Calif.
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“All your kids want is your time. When I was a teenager, my dad and I played a lot of golf and basketball together. Once a month, we’d take off a Monday. Against my mother’s better judgment, I’d skip school to play golf or go fishing with him.”
—Steven Shelton, Wichita Falls, Texas, father of two sons, 30 and 22
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“I made a point of having dinner with my teenage daughters every night, and we played board games together. I remember the laughter in our house so well that it still touches me!”
—Virginia T., Chicago, mother of four daughters, 34, 34, 29 and 26
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“I tried to spend as much time with my teenagers as I could. My oldest girl was an early riser like me, so we often went out for breakfast together and then shopping or to the art museum downtown. These were special times because I knew she would be more involved with her friends and off to college in just a few short years.”
—John R. Bright, Allentown, Pa., father of two daughters, 33 and 31
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Hundreds of Heads Books’ survival guides offer the wisdom of the masses by assembling the experiences and advice of hundreds of people who have gone through life’s biggest challenges and have insight to share.
© 2006, Hundreds of Heads Books, Inc.