Ashley Beitel has written a truly remarkable book. In a highly readable style, Ashley outlines the characteristics of competent, caring, resilient children and adolescents, and describes realistic strategies for parents and professionals to use for nurturing these characteristics in children and teens. He skillfully details the reasoning behind these strategies and captures the importance of parents recognizing the unique qualities and temperament that each child brings into the world. His empathy and appreciation for the challenges faced by both children and parents alike are evident on each page of this book, especially as he describes “real-life” vignettes and invites the readers to consider the strategies they would use in different interactions with youngsters. I believe that Childproofing for Adolescence will become a rich resource for parents and professionals alike, to be read and re-read with new insights gained with each reading.
Robert Brooks, Ph.D.
Faculty, Harvard Medical School (now part-time)
Co-author: Raising Resilient Children: Fostering Strength, Hope, and Optimism in Your Child
Co-author: Tenacity in Children: Nurturing the Seven Instincts for Lifetime Success
Childproofing for Adolescence is a timely, thoughtful and unique contribution. It is based on a finely balanced blend of the latest research in this field with a healthy dose of the author’s hands-on experience working with adolescents. Using realistic case studies of adolescents to engage the reader, Beitel shows how parents can better understand the challenges faced by adolescents and most importantly how parents can help their adolescents cope with their difficulties. Through the use of an easy to comprehend framework that outlines the goals for successful adolescent development and by the offering of engaging exercises for parents, the author invites the parent to become an active problem solver who is reminded that the solutions are typically a joint effort between parent and adolescent. The use of lively quotes from “Alice in Wonderland”, Harry Chapin and Simon and Garfunkel entices and motivates the reader.
All parents will benefit from this book and by carefully digesting the lessons offered will make both their own and their adolescents’ lives easier and more successful. This is a must read for all parents of adolescents. Buy it, devour it and be grateful for this excellent guide to parenting your adolescent.
Ross D Parke
Distinguished Professor Emeritus,
University of California, Riverside
Author of: Fatherhood and Future Families: Diverse Forms, Rich Possibilities
This is must reading for anyone who lives with, works with, cares about young people. Practical pathways midst the inevitable struggles of adolescence are shared in meaningful ways. This author has “Been there, done that” in the real world of growing up healthy and whole youth into productive, successful and happy adults.
Topper Steinman, MSW
Middle School Counselor & Lecturer
Wish I had access to all this (website and book) material forty years ago.
Allan Crandell, M.D.
Psychiatrist