What's My Teenager Thinking?: Practical Child Psychology for Modern Parents

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CONTENTS Foreword CHAPTER 1 Understanding the teenage years Your own teenage years Your teenager’s brain Navigating the teenage years Enjoying life with your teenager CHAPTER 2 Your 13–14-year-old I’ll tidy my room in a minute I need a new phone How tall will I get? There’s nothing to eat I’ve got nothing to wear Parents’ survival guide Social media They’re so cute It’s always my fault I hate you! Parents’ survival guide Communicating with teens I showered last week She’s such a bitch! I’ve got too much to do I skipped lunch That’s kids’ stuff Parents’ survival guide Peer pressure and “FOMO” I need a new bra He keeps picking on me Parents’ survival guide Friendship issues Everyone gets better marks than me Can I skip PE? I’m not hungry in the morning You’re so embarrassing This is so boring He shared this picture Parents’ survival guide Self-harm I didn’t slam the door! I’m not going to school Someone has tagged me in a horrible picture Everyone writes this much I saw this picture I’m so hairy She’s a slut Everyone else plays this computer game It’s my phone I’m going on the march CHAPTER 3 Your 15–16-year-old Stop following me on social media Let me sleep! I can’t go out, my skin’s terrible He’s just a friend Parents’ survival guide Sex and contraception All my friends dye their hair I need some shaving stuff I’ve got to work out You never listen Parents’ survival guide Sexuality and gender All my friends look amazing Can I have next week’s allowance? You swear, why can’t I? I am revising Just one more game I’m staying in Parents’ survival guide Exam support Get out of my room She’s your favourite Parents’ survival guide Step-families Whatever! I’m telling the truth I’ll wear what I want You always criticize Parents’ survival guide Talking about pornography My teacher hates me Dad said I could I don’t know how those cigarettes got into my bag Help! I’m already late! My life is over if I don’t get these grades Parents’ survival guide Eating issues I’m going anyway I don’t have time I don’t feel safe at school We’re going out together I haven’t touched the gin Can I get driving lessons? I’m gay CHAPTER 4 Your 17–18-year-old Why do you have to speak to my teacher? You don’t know my friends like I do I thought it was a free period Can I get my lips done? Parents’ survival guide Anxiety and depression I think I’ll take a gap year Can you do it? Can my boyfriend sleep over? Parents’ survival guide Consent You only live once I’m getting a tattoo Parents’ survival guide Drugs We broke up I miss you Vaping isn’t bad for you I’m worried about the future Sorry you haven’t heard from me Index Acknowledgments