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I’ve Had it Up to Here with Teenagers {Review and Giveaway}

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

I don’t believe that the teen years have to be all bad. Contrary to the title of Melinda Rainey Thompson new book, neither does she. In I’ve Had It Up to Here with Teenagers, she combines humor in her topical essays about dealing with teenagers, combined with a mother’s unconditional, unwavering, and unapologetic love.

She is a self-proclaimed “humor writer,” so yes, she uses hyperbole to her advantage, but she uses the humor to dish out practical advice about raising teens.

A modern-day Erma Bombeck

For some reason, back in my teens and early twenties, I actually read a lot of Erma Bombeck. I didn’t personally relate to a lot of her topics (like cooking, cleaning, and raising kids), but one thing that I didn’t miss was that she was funny. Hilarious.

I am not using hyperbole when I say that Melissa Rainey Thompson is a modern-day Erma Bombeck, and so whether you have teens or not, this book is for you.

By the time my daughter was 9 or so, I began reading books that dealt with teens. I think that it was easier to be objective at that time. I was never sure if they were exaggerating, or if my child would indeed display the self-absorbed, spacey, hormonally-fueled characteristics that seem so common to teens, at least those that parenting writers focus on. But being a little removed, I could actually laugh and I could objectively plan how I was going to react and parent.

I highly recommend this approach. Now that my daughter is almost 14 years old, I am not objective or rational. I find myself acting like a teenager myself.

Topics to Ponder

Like I said — if you don’t have a teen, feel free to read along for pure enjoyment. If you do, you have the privilege of learning a little about one mom’s approach to these issues, which will either give you some new ideas, or at least cause you to think about your current approach:

  • Attitude
  • Money-Matters
  • “Curfew Conondrums”
  • “Laundry Laments”
  • Care and Feeding
  • Clothing
  • Driving
  • Internet Safety
  • Dating

I’ve included some of my favorite quotes from I’ve Had it Up to Here with Teenagers over at 5 Minutes for Books. If you click through and leave a comment over there, you’ll get an extra entry (and I promise that in reading them, you’ll get a laugh or two).

This book would make a great Mother’s Day gift! Treat your friend or your sister or even your own mom to I’ve Had it Up to Here with Teenagers (as a sort of retroactive apology perhaps?).

Leave a comment here for your chance to win.  We have THREE books to give away, and we’ll announce the winner in our book column right here on April 16.

The winner of The Complete Allergy-Free Comfort Foods Cookbook is #16 June.

Reader Interactions


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56 Comments

  1. I NEED this book because I have had it UP TO HERE with my teenager and being able to find some humor in it could be life saving! Maybe for him, maybe for me!!! 😉

    Reply

  4. I have a lovely 14 year old girl (thankfully) and I teach middle school. I am sure this book is chockfull of advice that would be useful at home and at work!

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  6. this book sounds most interesting. I have teenage girls so really intrigues me thanks for chance to win.

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    Reply

  13. I would love to get my hands on a copy of this. I am the mom to 4 preteens who is not looking forward to the teenage years. I could use all the help that I can get before they come.

    Reply

  19. Sounds like a book for me! I have a 12+ year old and I’m a high school principal. Teenagers are EVERYWHERE in my life! Thanks for the chance to win.

    Reply

  23. Sounds like a great read! I’m a mom of three teens and one tween so I could use a little humor on the subject.

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  24. THIS WOULD MAKE A GREAT GIFT FOR MY AUNT! SHE’D PROBABLY LAUGH THE WHOLE TIME SHE READ IT =)

    Reply

  25. With three teenagers and another turning 13 this summer, I could definitely use this humorous book! Thanks.
    partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

    Reply

  27. My daughter is 11 going on 20… I think 11 is different than when I was a kid… With technology and access to many things on Television. These kids today know more than I ever did at that age. Sometimes I think it’s a real shame because they lose a lot of the childhood years…I would love to win this….thanks for the opportunity of winning this book

    Sibabe64 at ptd dot net

    Reply

  34. Oh my! I need this one! My daughter will be turning 12 this month and her attitude is more like 16! Luckily for me I timed my girls 10 years apart so I will have a nice long break before having to deal with it again… NOT!

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  35. I am on the verge of entering the parenting a teenager years (my oldest is 12), this sounds fabulous!

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  37. It is so fun when a new book comes out to hear from readers! This is my 4th humor book, and all year, when people asked my kids, “Is your mom writing a new book?”, they would reply, “Yeah, she’s writing a REVENGE book. That is SO not true!! We are all in this together, you know. . . . We might as well laugh. It’s free and non-fattening. How may things can you say that about??

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  39. I’m living with two eighteen year olds, a sixteen year old, and a fourteen year old. My reply any time that they complain (so-and-so has better clothes, why can’t we order Chinese, why do I have to dust) is “Some parents love their children.” I will read this book whether I cin a copy or not!

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  40. I would love to read this, I have 4 teens and I cant tell you how true this statement is. This book may provide the answers i am seeking and the hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel

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  46. This would make a perfect gift for my friend, whose teen is to appear for his high school exams next year and well, behaves like a teen and refuses to buckled down and study

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  47. I clicked through to read the intro pages on a seller website – I like Thompson’s style. Looking forward to reading it.

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  52. fully hit her yet. Just with those three alone…this book would be grand to read, humor is what I need

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  54. I have a 16 year old who is giving me a run for my money. I also have a 14 year who is quite the social girl, and a 12 year old who…well…puberty has not fully hit her yet. Just with those three alone…this book would be grand to read, humor is what I need, at times. I read the quote posted on5 minutes for books, and I laughed, and agreed, and thought… I like laughing at these years and need to do more of that. Even if I do not win, I am for certain going to get my hands on this book

    Reply