Want help with your teens? Author might help
Teenagers are notorious for throwing hurtful statements out to their parents, then turning around and asking for a favor in the next breath.
It goes with the territory, clinical psychologist Anthony Wolf explains in his book "Get out of my life! But first could you drive me and Cheryl to the mall? A guide to the new teenager."
Wolf will speak to parents about ways they can try to navigate the choppy teenage seas at 7 p.m. today at Glenbard West High School, 670 Crescent Blvd., Glen Ellyn. The session is free and open to parents of any high school or middle school students regardless of whether they live in Glenbard High School District 87.
"His book is like an encyclopedia on parenting teenagers," said Gilda Ross, District 87 student and community projects coordinator.
One of Wolf's key points to parents is in letting them know they're not alone -- the behavior they're seeing from their children is typical and all part of the process, she said. What he offers are potential solutions to make arguments and conflicts less volatile.
"They can feel like monsters way too often," Ross said of the adolescents. Wolf offers suggestions that show "This is how to tame the monster," she said.
Wolf talks about the developmental reasons why kids act the way they do, and, with humor, she said, provides practical solutions for dealing with them.
Before the presentation, paid for in part with a federal grant from Lombard Elementary District 44, there is a parents discussion group at 6 p.m. Ross said it is an opportunity for parents to discuss strategies that have worked for them as well as a chance to ask questions.
If you go
What: Dr. Anthony Wolf will talk about teenagers and ways parents can deal with the inevitable confrontations they'll face in raising them.
Where: Glenbard West High School, 670 Crescent Blvd., Glen Ellyn
When: 7 p.m. program; 6 p.m. parent discussion today
Cost: Free and open to any parent of a high school or middle school student
Details: Wolf authored "Get out of my life! But first could you drive me and Cheryl to the mall? A guide to the new teenager."