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. Â 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.
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!!! 😉
I cannot figure out where to go to find out who won this giveaway!
I would love to read this book.
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!
count me in! i’ve got 3 pre-teen girls and can use all the support and humor i can get!
this book sounds most interesting. I have teenage girls so really intrigues me thanks for chance to win.
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
This sounds great! A little humor never hurt anyone!
I would love to read this book.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Oh my gracious. The title of this book IS MY LIFE right now!
hehe… 3 … 30… or is it 300 teens? I think I need this ☺
My oldest just turned 13 and I would love to attempt to be a bit ahead of the game by reading this.
Love the title! So could use this book!
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.
this would be a great book for my aunt
Thank you so much for this giveaway!
I’ve raised 4 teens and I’d love to read the book.
Seems like something I would love to read!
I currently have THREE teens and this would be a great help! Release!
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.
Looks like a great read!
Will have to read this one, our mother and father raised 9 of us all together.
What a great book.
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.
THIS WOULD MAKE A GREAT GIFT FOR MY AUNT! SHE’D PROBABLY LAUGH THE WHOLE TIME SHE READ IT =)
With three teenagers and another turning 13 this summer, I could definitely use this humorous book! Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
I need this book – my son just turned 13 and is already driving me crazy!!!!! 🙂
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
This looks very interesting!
I NEED this book! Thanks for the chance!
would love this for my sis
nannypanpan@gmail.com
I ‘d love to read this book, and then let my Mom read it also.
Saw my name listed as a winner of this book, have not received an email yet. Thanks
Sure to be full of good information.
thanks for this contest
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!
I am on the verge of entering the parenting a teenager years (my oldest is 12), this sounds fabulous!
I would LOVE this book!! I have a 10, 4 and 2 year old so I NEED this book :)!
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??
My daughter is not a teenager yet, but I need to be prepared for when the time comes 🙂
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!
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
with a house of teens this book could be just what I need
shopannies@yahoo.com
What a good book.
I have a soon to be teen and i need all the help i can get!
I need this book!
Those can be some pretty tuff years, for the parents & the teen as well.
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
I clicked through to read the intro pages on a seller website – I like Thompson’s style. Looking forward to reading it.
Looks like a good book!
Ah yes, the joy’s of teenagers. Boy do I remember.
I have 3 teenage grandkids and I know their Mom would love this!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
I know my Mother would get a kick out of this one, she raised four of us.
fully hit her yet. Just with those three alone…this book would be grand to read, humor is what I need
Looks interesting!
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
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
This book sounds wonderful! I could use some humor – my teenager and tween are driving me crazy!