December 3, 2007
5 Minutes for Books — For Parents Only
Shaunti Feldhahn has received rave reviews and informal recommendations for her book For Women Only: What You Need to Know about the Inner Lives of Men for effectively explaining how men think and how to best interact with them in a way that is mutually beneficial. In her latest book, For Parents Only Getting Inside the Head of Your Kid she has teamed up with Lisa A. Rice, associcate editor of Christian Living magazine and mother to two teens, to demystify teens in the same way.
The goal of this book is to help you understand several key things that are likely going on — on soon will be — in the inner life of your child, some inner wiring that you may have never understood before (p. 2).
The facts from this book come from the interviews, focus groups, and surveys conducted with teens on such issues as freedom, responsibility, and identity. The full survey is available online as well as the honest and emotional verbatim responses to the last question, “If you knew your parents would die tomorrow, what would you want to tell them?”
This book will be encouraging and helpful to the parent of a tween or a teen, but even parents of younger children will benefit as they look ahead to the challenges that those years will bring. This book does not employ scare tactics. In fact, the overall message is that in spite of what they say, our teens want us to parent them, not to give in to their every complaint. The teens themselves admitted that even when they balk at the rules or consequences of their own actions, that is actually what makes them feel safe and loved.
Another part that I found to be very insightful (and ties in to why they sen
d those mix signals) is that one of the most important things for teens is their pursuit of freedom. Their behavior toward acquiring this freedom is like an addict — even when they know it might not be in their best interest, they look for it and fight for it.
Any book that reminds me in a fact-based, encouraging way to actually be the parent, gets two thumbs up from me.
Leave a comment to win one of two giveaway copies (to U.S. shipping addresses only). You can purchase the book and a companion discussion guide book at amazon.com or bookstores anywhere.
Congratulations to the winners of last week’s book, A Shadow of Treason by Tricia Goyer:
#10 Laurie in TN
#31 Marie
Filed under * Feature Columns, 5 Minutes for Books, Contests, Parenting by Jennifer
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123 Comments on 5 Minutes for Books — For Parents Only »
#1 - SJ @ 12:36 am
Looks like a great book! Great review.
#2 - Christy @ 12:56 am
I heard her speak and it was great. I would love to read the book.
#3 - Angela & Connor @ 1:43 am
Sign me up! Ill blog ya too!
http://contestaddict.blogspot.com
#4 - Lindsey @ 1:49 am
Looks good to me. Add me in! =)
#5 - Casey @ 2:29 am
These books sound interesting.
#6 - Linda C @ 7:45 am
Please add me to the drawing.
#7 - Bess @ 7:50 am
Count me in! Thanks!
#8 - Mama Grizzly @ 8:11 am
This book sounds fabulous!
#9 - Julie F. @ 8:15 am
Always good to prepare for what’s in store. Sounds interesting.
#10 - Jenn @ 8:37 am
I’m all for books that give factual info without using scare tactics!
#11 - Heather @ MrsMomma @ 9:04 am
I’d like to read that! I enjoyed FWO by her.
#12 - Cory @ 9:10 am
Both great books. I would be excited to win either one of them. Thank you, Cory
#13 - Carey @ 9:31 am
Count me in. My tween turns 13 in 3 months. Sounds like a really good read.
#14 - Jennifer @ 10:06 am
I’d love to read this!
#15 - frannie @ 10:42 am
count me in!
#16 - Colleen @ 10:45 am
Loved her other book!
#17 - Amy D @ 11:00 am
i’d love a copy of this.
#18 - Jennifer C. @ 11:04 am
I ould love to read this book. It sounds terrific.
#19 - Janine @ 11:05 am
YES please… Books are our friends!
Sounds like a great read!
#20 - Kira @ 12:07 pm
Sounds good!
#21 - jenna @ 12:07 pm
I have given a copy of this to my Mom and I’d love to read it and/or give it to a friend.
#22 - Christin Slade @ 12:50 pm
I saw this in the stores this past week and I was curious. I read “For Women Only” and it was excellent. Definately a keeper! I would love to enter for a chance to win! Thank you.
Christin
#23 - Qtpies7 @ 1:05 pm
I want to ditto that this book is excellent and as a parent of 7 children I think every parent should HAVE to read the book by the time their first child is 10.
I would love to win a copy to give as a gift! I’m giving out copies for Christmas already.
#24 - Amanda @ 1:07 pm
I would LOVE to read this book!
#25 - Angela Young @ 1:20 pm
Yes…please sign me up.
#26 - Sandy @ 1:22 pm
Sounds like a book I need!
#27 - TNChick @ 1:31 pm
My son turns ten this month and my daughter is half way to six. (wow they grow up so fast) I think this would be a nice read with them getting older (especially my son!)
Thanks for the chance to win.
#28 - Audrey @ 2:33 pm
Sounds like a good read!!
#29 - Brooke @ 2:33 pm
Please randomly select me!!!
#30 - Patti @ 2:43 pm
Sounds great!
#31 - Jill @ 2:44 pm
Sounds like a great read for us parents of ‘tweens.
#32 - Tonya @ 2:53 pm
this sounds like it would be interesting and a quick read for busy moms.
#33 - Michele @ 3:03 pm
I love her books!
#34 - Lauren@Baseballs&Bows @ 3:13 pm
Please include me!
#35 - Cindy @ 3:23 pm
I would love to Win this book..Would be very helpful for my teens.
#36 - Elizabeth Kuder @ 3:23 pm
I’d love to have this one.
#37 - bobby and jenn @ 3:28 pm
sounds like a great book, we’d love this!
#38 - jessie @ 3:33 pm
sounds great, please enter me!
#39 - melody is slurping life @ 3:38 pm
With a son turning 13 next month, I’d love to be entered for “For Parents Only”. Thanks.
#40 - jessica @ 3:46 pm
i love their other books!
#41 - Rachea @ 3:54 pm
count me in on it For parents only Thnaks
#42 - Nancy Jachcik @ 3:55 pm
sounds good
#43 - Charlsie @ 4:04 pm
please count me in!
#44 - Pam @ 4:12 pm
These look great!
#45 - Donna @ 4:15 pm
My daughter is almost 10, so this book sounds great!
#46 - ashley @ 4:32 pm
This would be great to have!
#47 - emily @ 4:54 pm
would really love to win this book. Very excited to read it this winter….thanks!
#48 - Jenn @ 5:00 pm
This book sounds like something I need to read!
#49 - Christy H. @ 5:11 pm
Please enter me to win.
#50 - Susanne @ 5:21 pm
Oh, Oh…I really love Shaunti books, I would love to win!!! Thanks…
#51 - Heather (Heather's reality show) @ 5:21 pm
I would love this book
#52 - Sarah @ 5:27 pm
I’d love this book! I have her “For Women Only” book and didn’t know she came out with a “parents” version.
#53 - Stacey Moore @ 5:58 pm
Sounds like a good book.
#54 - Pam @ 6:06 pm
I have the For Women Only book but I would LOVE the For Parents book!
#55 - Taryn @ 6:25 pm
please
#56 - rachel @ 7:07 pm
I would love this! I read the for women only as a book for my Bible study last May. It had such great wisdom for real life.
#57 - Autumn @ 7:40 pm
This book sounds wonderful. I don’t think we can ever have too much valuable information or skills when it comes to interacting with our families.Would love to win.
#58 - Natalie @ 7:42 pm
Count me in!
#59 - Julie Mead @ 8:06 pm
This book sounds great! I would love to win it!
#60 - Corina Smith @ 8:11 pm
What a great book!
#61 - Beth@sportsmomma @ 8:48 pm
Count me in!! Great info that I’m sure we all can use!!!
#62 - Becca @ 9:02 pm
I dread when my daughter gets to be this age, but this book might be some good preparation.
#63 - Sarah Berry @ 9:31 pm
Sign me up not only would it be an interesting read as a mom but also great for the job.
#64 - slackermommy @ 9:43 pm
Great review!
#65 - Meg @ 9:46 pm
Count me in! Sounds interesting!
#66 - Charissa @ 9:56 pm
Sounds like an interesting book. I would love to read it.
#67 - Jenny @ 10:29 pm
that looks like a nifty book. i’ll definately haave to check it out.
#68 - Renae @ 10:47 pm
Sounds like a good book.
#69 - Bree T. @ 10:52 pm
This book sounds great!!
#70 - Jill @ 10:55 pm
Looks good, count me in!
#71 - Sarah W. @ 12:11 am
I love this author. I would love to read this book!!
#72 - Courtney Pollmann @ 12:51 am
Aahh, to read a book again!
#73 - Diana @ 1:28 am
I have both teens and tweens, and I would love to own that book. Please enter me in the giveaway. Thanks.
#74 - Christi Saragosa @ 1:31 am
Looks like a great book. Anything to help with 3 teens in this house!
#75 - Kira @ 9:15 am
Looks great!
#76 - cs white @ 9:49 am
The book looks interesting - sign me up, please!
#77 - lana @ 9:54 am
I am a single mom, I need this book
#78 - Alyson LaBarge @ 10:07 am
Oh I am right there with ya…anything that helps remind me realistically to BE the Parent is good by me!!
#79 - Tiff@Three Peas in a Pod @ 10:13 am
Count me in!!!
#80 - Kristen M. @ 10:38 am
Although my own children are young, I’m the wife of a youth pastor and this book is one I’d like to read. I’ve heard the author speak at a conference and was impressed with her research and also her passion. Thanks.
#81 - Christy @ 10:41 am
Sounds great
#82 - melissa @ 12:47 pm
Oh wow! I really want to get inside my almost teenager’s head! Where has my little girl gone? She’s still great, but she’s so……different……
#83 - Jen @ 1:49 pm
I would love to read this book!
#84 - FENICLE @ 1:50 pm
I read another review of this book & it sounded great!! I would love to win a copy
#85 - Wendy @ 1:51 pm
I would love this book! Thanks for a great review.
#86 - Teresa Mooney @ 2:16 pm
sounds great
#87 - Rachel @ 2:22 pm
Sounds like a fabulous must read!! I hope I win! Thanks for the heads up either way!!
#88 - Amy R. @ 4:04 pm
This sounds really interesting!!
#89 - Melissa @ 7:43 pm
Sounds like a great book. Please count me in!
#90 - badsheep @ 11:02 pm
One entry for me please.
#91 - Delilah Miller @ 11:29 pm
I’d love to win. Thanks.
#92 - Lorena Alberdin @ 12:39 am
I would love to read this book.
#93 - themommie @ 2:55 am
I love to read and would love a copy of this book….themommie
#94 - kelly crocker @ 7:51 am
cool
#95 - das @ 9:07 am
sounds interesting. sign me up! thank you
#96 - JewelsHud @ 10:24 am
I started her For Women Only book and loved it but had to return it to the library - I’d love this one - as I’d have more time to read it - hard to fit reading in with toddlers!!
#97 - Kristie Noguera @ 3:15 pm
Right up my alley. Thanks
#98 - Kathy Conley @ 3:44 pm
This looks like one I need
#99 - Pamela White @ 4:09 pm
I’m always looking for good advice
#100 - Tracy Becker @ 6:58 pm
Sounds great!
#101 - Shaun Wallner @ 8:23 pm
These sound like some great books!
#102 - Valerie Mitchell @ 2:25 am
fab
#103 - Amy @ 10:16 am
Please enter me!!
Thanks!
Amy
#104 - Timothy Sternberg @ 11:36 am
Looks like a great book!
#105 - Judy Aschenbrenner @ 12:36 pm
I have one teen, one tween, and 2 7 year olds…this book is needed in our house!
#106 - Vanessa @ 12:51 pm
I’m buying “For Women Only” right now. I’ve been looking for a good relationship book. I could probably use “For Parents Only” too!
#107 - Alberta MacDonald @ 4:07 pm
I would love a copy. Good luck to all.
#108 - Doreen @ 5:54 pm
Sign me up! Books that will help me with parenting I definitely need!
#109 - Monique @ 12:37 am
Sign me up!
#110 - Daniel Hatt @ 12:24 pm
THIS IS NICE
#111 - Rick @ 2:09 pm
My wife and I really enjoyed the “For Men Only” and “For Women Only” series.
#112 - LivingforGod @ 4:09 pm
Please count me in. Thanks!
#113 - Eva @ 5:51 pm
let me in…
#114 - philip halter @ 6:03 pm
enter me please
#115 - Laura @ Laura Williams' Musings @ 8:47 pm
Don’t count me in as I have this book.
Just wanted to let you know I blogged ya: http://laurawilliamsmusings.blogspot.com/2007/12/monday-edition-of-contests-galore.html
#116 - Kristie Noguera @ 11:09 pm
I need this!
#117 - Samantha Pruitt @ 3:19 am
what a great book!
#118 - Sylvia Porter @ 3:20 am
awesome!
#119 - Karen Matlock @ 9:46 am
please enter me!
#120 - Angela Ponder @ 7:45 pm
This would be so nice to have!
#121 - Nicole @ 9:52 pm
I love books that really make you think in life. Count me in!
#122 - Heather C @ 10:21 pm
Need this for my 2nd grader who seems to think she’s 17 years old! Ugh!
#123 - 5 Minutes for Books — Can I Have a Cell Phone for Hanukkah? @ 12:14 am
[...] comment here, and we’ll announce the winner in next week’s book column. The winners of For Parents Only are #40, Jessica and #88 Amy R. Filed under 5 Minutes for Books, * Feature Columns, Parenting by [...]