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The Available Parent, Review and Giveaway

August 1, 2011 by Dawn

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

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Review by 5 Minutes for Books contributor Dawn Mooney:

Ever since my firstborn was a wee infant, I have felt a twinge of terror whenever I thought ahead to what the teenaged years would be like. Eleven years later, my husband and I are beginning to notice the tell-tale signs that the days of raising a teen will soon be upon us– the sullenness that appears out of nowhere, the “attitude” that I clearly remember my own mother repeatedly pointing out in my adolescent behavior.

Though I’ve read my fair share of parenting books that address the younger years, I don’t have a lot of experience with books for parenting older children. I’m quite pleased to have read Dr. John Duffy’s new book, The Available Parent: Radical Optimism for Raising Teens and Tweens, which offers a guiding light for this time.

I took away a few key points from Dr. Duffy’s logical wisdom, and while they weren’t new concepts by any means, it was still a bit eye-opening to read them all together. Parents of children all ages can benefit from the advice and guidance offered here.

Radical Optimism:
Have you ever found yourself wondering just how in the world you’re going to make it through your child’s adolescence? (Or any other particular “stage,” for that matter.) I know that I’ve joked about it, the kind of kidding that’s based somewhat in true feelings. Dr. Duffy points out that if we’re making giant leaps about our children’s destinies based on the individual mistakes they make during this time of development, and if we’re spending all of our energy on simply trying to “get through” this stage of life, then we’re seriously losing out on any opportunity to experience joy with who our child is right in this moment. Hope and optimism fall to the wayside.

The Good-Enough Teenager:
Forget the image of the ideal child, for perfection is simply not a part of life. Accept that your child will make mistakes- some of them big ones- and that this is a fact of life and a necessary part of their development. “The challenge for you is to acknowledge and accept your children right now, where they are.”

Available Parenting:
“Available parenting differs in a critical way from other self-help parenting techniques. Instead of focusing on your teen’s behavior, over which you typically, and appropriately, exert little or no control, the focus here is on your behavior as a parent, over which you possess virtually full control.”

After a brief introduction to these concepts, Dr. Duffy proceeds to lay out descriptions of parenting approaches that he believes never work, and then in comparison, those that always have the intended effect. In these chapters, he brings his years of clinical experience to the page, sharing stories of many adolescents and families with whom he’s worked that will surely resonate with readers. He also provides simple activities for parents to do on their own, intended to make readers aware of their perceptions of their children and parenting practices.

An emphasis is placed on making this concept of “available parenting” quite clear, to the point that the author responds to what he predicts may be the reaction of some readers. At several points in the book, Duffy clarifies that he is not promoting “soft” parenting, and that this approach is not intended to encourage a permissive parental tone. Quite the opposite, he charges, for there is still a strong place for expectations and structure, yet this looks different than the authoritative approach many parents feel is necessary during the teen years. Duffy argues that an authoritative approach quickly and wholly breaks down a relationship between parent and teen that is so important to develop at this critical developmental period.

Are you intrigued? We’ve got a copy of The Available Parent: Radical Optimism for Raising Teens and Tweens to give away to a lucky reader. Please leave a comment here to be entered, U.S. addresses only. We’ll announce the winner on 8/15.

The winner of our latest giveaway, Beast Friends Forever, is # 19 Katklaw.

Dawn is hoping to enjoy her kids through every stage of development, even if her oldest is less willing to let her share stories about him on her blog, my thoughts exactly, these days.

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About Dawn

When she's not reviewing books, 5 Minutes for Books contributor Dawn (and her online alter ego, morninglight mama) can be found blogging at my thoughts exactly and contributing to The DC Moms.

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32 Comments

  1. Megan Earley says

    August 13, 2011 at 8:51 pm

    Always looking for good parenting books!
    mearley1979 at gmail dot com

    Reply
  2. Angie says

    August 13, 2011 at 11:40 am

    My kids are on the cusp of being teens. I would love to read this book to start preparing for those years!

    Reply
  3. Cristi says

    August 7, 2011 at 8:40 pm

    I’d love some new ideas for relating to my thirteen-year-old.

    Reply
  4. Tia says

    August 6, 2011 at 11:59 pm

    Currently in the tweens with my oldest and I think this book could be very useful for us.
    [email protected]

    Reply
  5. Wendy Clark says

    August 5, 2011 at 12:45 am

    My kiddo is just treading into tween issues; I think this would be a insightful book for me.

    Reply
  6. June says

    August 4, 2011 at 1:32 pm

    The teen years are very hard for a child now days. Too much pressure from other students at school. Way too much bulling going on in the school system also I believe.

    Reply
  7. MamaGames says

    August 4, 2011 at 8:43 am

    My oldest is nine… and those tween/teen years will be here before we know it!

    Reply
  8. Mia says

    August 3, 2011 at 11:41 am

    sounds like a very interesting book!

    Reply
  9. Idaho Jill says

    August 2, 2011 at 7:23 pm

    I never wanted kids because I dreaded the teen years so much! But, I changed my mind and would love to read this for when my daughter gets that age, thanks!

    Reply
  10. chris says

    August 2, 2011 at 12:21 pm

    I’d love to see how this blends with the advice I get from my peers.

    Reply
  11. ibeeeg says

    August 2, 2011 at 7:04 am

    I am intrigued. It seems that this book is similar to my style of parenting teenagers. I am very curious.

    Reply
  12. stacy says

    August 2, 2011 at 5:23 am

    Would love to win this. Parenting teens is…challenging.

    Reply
  13. Tammy Gordon says

    August 1, 2011 at 10:33 pm

    Would love to win this!

    Reply
  14. Allison says

    August 1, 2011 at 10:32 pm

    could definitely use this!

    Reply
  15. Ellen C. says

    August 1, 2011 at 10:02 pm

    I’d like to win. Thanks for the chance.

    Reply
  16. riTa says

    August 1, 2011 at 9:35 pm

    Two grandsons now teenagers,beginning to give grief. Daughter needs this book!

    Reply
    • Dawn says

      August 14, 2011 at 8:55 am

      Congratulations Rita, you’re our lucky winner! Please contact me at morninglightmama (at) gmail (dot) com with your mailing information.

      Reply
  17. Amy B says

    August 1, 2011 at 8:54 pm

    As the parent of an 11-year old, this will definitely be going on my reading list!

    Reply
  18. Kristin says

    August 1, 2011 at 5:25 pm

    I can always use a little optimism

    Reply
  19. Vilmarys says

    August 1, 2011 at 4:05 pm

    I do worry how its going to be when my daughter reaches teenhood. I would love to read this! Thanks.

    Reply
  20. Jill H. says

    August 1, 2011 at 1:59 pm

    I’m putting this book on my must read list…

    Reply
  21. Missional Mama says

    August 1, 2011 at 1:37 pm

    Sounds like an interesting read.

    Reply
  22. Liz V. says

    August 1, 2011 at 1:09 pm

    What a nice book for my friend with a tween girl and younger son. Please enter me to win.

    Reply
  23. Carolyn says

    August 1, 2011 at 11:49 am

    I do worry some about the tween and teen years, and all that may go with it. This sounds like a good book to read.

    Reply
  24. Erin Wilcox says

    August 1, 2011 at 11:29 am

    Sounds very interesting. I have years to go for my son to be a teenager, but I know they will go fast.

    Reply
  25. Farrell says

    August 1, 2011 at 10:28 am

    Iv’e got years to go yet but I’m scared. Very, very scared.!

    Reply
  26. debbie says

    August 1, 2011 at 9:03 am

    I would love to read this.
    [email protected]

    Reply
  27. Paige says

    August 1, 2011 at 8:37 am

    My good friend needs this one right now. I am entering for her.

    Reply
  28. Julie says

    August 1, 2011 at 8:30 am

    Looks like just what I’m looking for right now.

    Reply
  29. Carolyn says

    August 1, 2011 at 8:26 am

    this sounds like great parenting advice

    Reply

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