The Blessing of a B Minus: Using Jewish Teachings to Raise Resilient Teenagers

by Wendy Mogel Ph.D.

Hardcover, 2010

Status

Available

Publication

Scribner (2010), 208 pages

Description

In the follow-up to her bestselling book, The Blessing of a Skinned Knee, Dr. Wendy Mogel shows parents how to navigate the teenage years. When a child becomes a teenager, her sense of entitlement and independence grows, the pressure to compete skyrockets, and communication becomes fraught with obstacles. Dr. Wendy Mogel emphasizes empathy and guidance over micromanaging teens' lives and overreacting to missteps. She reveals that emotional outbursts, rudeness, rule-breaking, staying up late, and other worrisome teen behaviors are in fact normal and necessary steps in psychological growth and character development to be met with thoughtful care, not anxiety. With her signature wit and warmth, Mogel gives parents the tools to do so, offering reassuring advice on: · why influence is more effective than control · teenage narcissism · living graciously with rudeness · the surprising value of ordinary work · why risk is essential preparation for the post-high school years · when to step in and when to step back The Blessing of a B Minus is an important and inspiring book that will fortify parents through the teenage years.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member simchaboston
I am really, really glad I don't have a teenager. But if I did, I'd want this book by my side. Mogel does a good job outlining strategies on how to provide both independence and limits to teens who crave the former and need the latter (but would die of shame before admitting it). I particularly
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appreciate that she approaches these issues through a Jewish lens, though I feel like she did more of that in her previous book, "The Blessing of a Skinned Knee". I also feel that parents should be empowered to intervene in cases of emotional emergency (such as bullying) and not just physical ones -- maybe she could include that in an updated edition. Even with these quibbles this is still a lifeline for parents of teenagers, whether Jewish or otherwise.
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Language

Original language

English

Physical description

9 inches

ISBN

1416542035 / 9781416542032
Page: 0.3384 seconds