Much like childbirth, you can never truly comprehend teenagers until you have them.
Nigel Latta’s entertaining book, Before Your Teenagers Drive You Crazy, Read This!, is a godsend to parents dealing with teens, whether they be difficult or relatively easy to handle. At last a real, no-nonsense, straight-shooting guide to the minefield that is raising adolescents.
Latta humorously explains the facts behind why teens do what they do. He offers excellent strategies based on 10 basic principles and a three-step plan that any parent can easily understand and implement whilst maintaining a sense of humour and perspective in their parent-teenager relationship.
I simply couldn’t put this book down. As I laughed out loud at the flowing anecdotes, my three teenage boys became a little curious. I read some aloud and shared the stories that related closely to our own family, which sparked some fun and interesting conversations.
The best thing about this book is its ability to make you realise that your own behaviour affects the way others around you behave and that it is only within your power to change the way you act.
I loved Latta’s labelling of certain parenting styles. His explanation of “weapons of mass disruption” employed by teens worldwide to undermine and overwhelm their parents and superiors was nothing short of brilliant.
Latta cleverly reiterates his points throughout the book, leaving the reader with little doubts on how exactly to implement his advice.
This book will undoubtedly change the lives of those who read it and take action. I’d highly recommend it to anyone with kids in double digits. The sooner you can get a handle on the basic principles in this book, the happier your teen journey will be.
The only negative thing I can say about this book is that it has a last page.
