Judy Ford is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with heart and soul, who has been studying love and relationships for over three decades. Her work has been featured in Oprah Magazine, Family Circle, Women's World, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Woman's Day, and more. With compassion and candor, she inspires us to persevere through life’s challenges and to share our gifts with others. For more, visit [...]

Contents

The Art of Relating

Serenity

Expect the Unexpected

Laugh About Inconsistencies

Choose Power Struggles Wisely

Take Time to Unwind

Give Them Reasons to Be Proud of You

Remember Your Own Feelings as a Teenager

See Beyond the Obvious

Be Still and Smile

Willingly Make Up

Respond with an Open Heart

Accept Changes Graciously

Add a Splash of Pizzazz to Your Own Life

Accentuate What Is Truly Meaningful

By Your Own Example, Teach Them to Pray

Treasure Being Together as a Family

Do the Best You Can

Ask for Input About the Toughies

Encourage Role Models

Become a Mentor

Expand Your Vision for Our Children

Spirit

Try the Playful Approach

Have Exciting Conversations

Consider Their Point of View

Share Your Perspective

Provide Adventures

Include Lots of Friends

Make Room for the Blues

Show Wholehearted Interest Without Taking Over

Find New Ways to Be Together

Celebrate the Milestones

Carry on Family Traditions

Bring on the Blaring Music

Allow for Lots of Privacy

Carefully Avoid Embarrassing Them

Build a Bond of Camaraderie

Encourage Activities to Let Off Steam

Guide Them Toward Their Passion

Honor Their Wild, Strong, and Free Nature

Let Them Burn the Midnight Oil

Share the Car

Find Healthy Ways to Be High

Take Every Opportunity to Hang Out

Security

Believe in Them Totally

Admire Who They Are, as They Are

Behave Respectfully

Let Them Learn by Experience

Have Faith in Their Ability to Find Solutions

Plant the Seeds of Suggestions

Stand Back and Watch Them Grow

Admit When You’re Angry

Refine the Knack of Arguing

Be Sensitive to Their Struggles

Acknowledge Their Choices

Handle the Unmentionables

Include Them in Your Life

Truthfully Share Your Life Stories

Negotiate, Negotiate

Let Them Know You Care

Establish Guidelines That Inspire

Alert Them Gently to Consequences

Face Problems Squarely

Be Genuine with Praise

Teach Them to Be Good to Themselves

Give a Choice in Their Day-to-day Lives

Allow Them to Practice Taking Charge

Trust and Trust Again

Remember That Teenagers Are Fragile, Too

Stand Back and Gain Perspective

Bravely Let Go

Resource Guide