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'Under that hoodie, behind that eye make-up, there frequently lurks a human being of immense charm, affection and wit.'
Ann Benton admits that, when her children were teenagers, she enjoyed 'the very best of parenting years'. Yet, from her experience and that of others, she is all too well aware of the frustrations, pitfalls and difficulties that parenting teens can bring.
The Bible book of Proverbs points to wisdom as the key to health, happiness and prosperity. The author points out that the job of parents is not first and foremost to make their teens successful, but to make them wise.
With honesty and wit, Ann shows how Proverbs can speak directly into real life, however messy, today.
Are teenagers a subject of their own? 15
Where should we look for advice? 18
The 'three Rs' of parenting teenagers 23
2. The faith family and the faithless world 32
Our children and God’s children 33
The distinctives of a Christian home 37
Secular child-rearing 45
The witness of a Christian family 49
3. Fools, mockers and simpletons 51
Seven vulnerable areas for teenagers 54
Vulnerability and opportunity 64
What kind of fool? 69
4. Routes to wisdom 73
Route 1: Observation and interpretation 75
Route 2: Instruction based on tradition 77
Route 3: Learning from mistakes 82
Route 4: The fear of the Lord 87
Four things a parent can do 89
5. Meet the parents 93
Fear and her babies 97
Guilt and her babies 107
Why does it sometimes have to be so hard? 112
6. Key strategies 115
Key strategy 1: Screen the messages 116
Key strategy 2: Strengthen the relationship 129
Key strategy 3: Spotlight the heart 137
Key strategy 4: Shape dependence on God 139
7.When dream turns to nightmare 144
There doesn't have to be a reason 148
The smorgasbord of emotion - you do have a choice 152
Love's austere and lonely offices 153
Some temptations to handle 158
What about the future? 159
8. More than survival 162
Affection 163
Stimulation 164
Education 166
Cooperation 168
Sanctification 169
Gratification 171
Succession 173