Between Form and Freedom: Raising a Teenager (Hawthorn Press Parenting)

Review\n“An excellent book, that is enlightening, inspiring and an essential guide for parents and teachers of adolescents. With a wide range of experience and expertise, Betty Staley offers a wise and practical approach in how we can support developing adolescents to tackle the many changes and current issues facing them in these challenging times of learning to become an adult, such as power, relationships, self-esteem, alcohol, drugs, body image, social media. Examples from adolescents, nutshell summaries for each chapter and study questions are interesting and helpful, promoting reflection, discussion and guidance for action.” -- ―Robin Steele PhD. Mother of adult children, grandmother of adolescents, retired early childhood teacher, parent educator, Psychophonetics psychotherapist & trainer\n“Betty Staley’s book is a must-have for all parents of teenagers Her calm wisdom about teenagers and the incredible depth of her knowledge will reassure any parent perplexed or struggling with their teenager. She can enable parents to know how to help their teenager navigate the complex world of adolescence and come out the other side strong in their own identity, participating in life and contributing to others.” -- ―Caroline Penney, systemic family therapist and author of The Parenting Toolkit: simple steps to happy and confident children\n“It’s a rare book about teens that becomes more and more relevant as time goes on. This is not just one of them, it is the one. Whenever I am asked by parents trying to unravel their teens behavior―‘Is that normal?’―I recommend Between Form and Freedom with a confidence that it will give them the understanding they need, to open up a path toward deeper and enduring connection with their child.” -- ―Kim John Payne, author of Simplicity Parenting\n“[Between Form and Freedom] will make you more open and alive to the young people you love, and that will make many good things happen.” ―Steve Biddulph (foreword)
This is the third and fully revised edition of this bestselling book. Betty Staley tackles challenges related to self-esteem, pregnancy, behavioral problems, stress, depression, media, genderfluidity, eating disorders, and drug and alcohol abuse. She also explores developmental needs in connection with family, friends, media, education, the arts, loyalty, and relationships.
Countless parents have come to value this wise, practical guide, in which Betty Staley uniquely discusses teenagers’ soul and spiritual needs at the time of life when the quest for meaning is extremely vital.
This book . . .• discusses ways that adolescents present either the “mask” or the “volcano” as they struggle with identity and self-esteem;
• tackles current questions of gender fluidity and identity, eating disorders, media addiction, and more;
• shares teenagers’ voices, stories and experiences;
• opens windows to the changing inner life of developing teenagers;
• is accessible and easy to read, with nutshell summaries and questions for reflection and action;
• is welcomed by parenting voices such as Steve Biddulph, Caroline Penney and Kim John Payne.