Tricky Teens & Emerging Adults: A survival guide for parents

Tricky Teens and Emerging Adults is a comprehensive guide for parents navigating the turbulent waters of adolescence. Written by clinical psychologist Andrew Fuller, this book offers practical strategies for understanding teenage behaviour, managing family conflicts and creating a harmonious home environment. Andrew reveals how ingrained habits and brain chemistry drive teenage actions, providing parents with the knowledge to effectively guide their children towards successful adulthood.

Andrew says that the key to understanding teenagers is to realise that their behaviour is caused by two things: the routines and habits that are ingrained in their lives and their families' lives; and the neurochemicals and hormones washing around in the massive soup bowl called their brains. Learning how to parent in ways that manage the heady heights and deep troughs of moods and acts caused by these neurochemicals is life saving and sanity preserving.

The book is structured in four key sections covering:

1. The science behind teenage behaviour: what really causes tricky teen behaviours.
2. Solutions to common problems: helping teens successfully navigate common problems such as anxiety, arguments, screen addiction, the opposite sex, reclusive teenagers, sibling conflict, suicide prevention, zombies and zits. Teenage boys and girls worry about different things, a fact dealt with in ‘Girl Smarts’ and ‘Boy Smarts’.
3. Techniques for changing patterns: a six–week program for re-establishing communications with your teenager.
4. Essential conversations to have with your teen, including:
• How to be an adult.
• How to develop a good reputation and keep it.
• Honesty: why it is important.
• Developing empathy and compassion.

Drawing from years of experience, Andrew equips parents with the tools to not only survive the teenage years but to help their children thrive, ultimately preparing them for independence and a bright future.

Listen to Andrew Fuller talking about Tricky Teens on ABC Radio National's Life Matters.

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