London Ford – författare

One minute, they come to you for everything... the next, they seem to have closed off completely. Here's your guide to keeping those all-important conversations flowing throughout the teen years.Is every question you ask suddenly greeted with a grunt or a complete evasion of the question?Are you banished from your child's room, left wondering what secrets are hidden in there with the dirty plates and the laundry you've been begging for all week?Sounds like you have a teenager on your hands!Adolescence is one of the most difficult periods of life, yet at the time we want to help them the most, it seems our kids want to shut us out at every opportunity.As your child approaches puberty, you're aware of the growing need to have 'the talk'... but how do you do so in a way that won't embarrass them and cause them to close down?On top of that, you're aware that they need to learn about responsibilities, but it seems like even the simplest of requests are falling on deaf ears. They'll be heading off to college soon… Are they going to be ready?Your teen needs boundaries that allow them to grow in a safe and nurturing environment while increasing their independence.They need accurate information about puberty, sex, and sexuality.And finally, all of those topics are collected together in a single one-stop guide to parenting a teenager.In this comprehensive resource, you'll discover:The reason for your teen's sudden need for space and privacy (don't worry – it's completely normal)How to help an untalkative teen navigate their emotions when they're unable to tell you what they areWhy it's important to increase your child's responsibilities at this stage – and how to get them onboardThe best time to have the puberty discussion with your teen – and how to do it effectivelyThe key changes you can expect to see in your child during pubertyWhy it's important to talk about sex (no matter how much you dread the idea)How to have an open and positive conversation about sexuality – and why this is important3 important issues you might not want to talk about but really should be raised at this crucial stage of developmentThe secret to helping a fussy teen develop healthy eating habitsWhy your child struggles to get out of bed (and how you can help them get more sleep the right way)How to give them healthy boundaries – plus effective strategies you can employ if they break themHow to navigate potential problems your child may encounter (everything from body image to substance abuse covered)Everything you ever wanted to know about teen relationships (including how to help them nurse their first broken heart)A comprehensive guide to preparing your child (and yourself) for the college yearsAnd much more.Whether you're unsure of what conversations you need to have with your teen or don't know how to get them flowing, this guide is your helping hand.Everything you need to know about parenting a teenager is covered: You have everything you need to get them out the other side of these turbulent years as a confident and well-rounded person.Take the pain out of parenting during puberty.

Teenage girls have a harder time than previous generations... Does she know what to expect and how to navigate the challenges with confidence?You've had 'the talk'. Your daughter has started her period, or she knows what to expect when it arrives… but is she truly prepared for everything that being a teenager entails?The reality is that being a teenager is a little different from how it was when you were growing up. Girls face contemporary challenges that simply weren't around for older generations… and no matter how well you think you've prepared them for their teenage years, there are bound to be a few things that slip through the net.Your daughter doesn't just need to know about the changes in her body.She needs to know about navigating significant issues like sexuality, gender identity, and body image… and she needs to know what to expect from the world around her while she battles the changes in her body and her soaring emotions.She needs to do this in her own time and at her own pace – after all, a huge part of growing up is getting to know yourself and understanding the importance of independence.But that doesn't mean she has to go it alone… Simply by providing her with the resources she needs in order to explore her identity and prepare her for the big wide world, you can help her step into womanhood completely in charge of her own pathway.Providing her with this unique guide to adolescence is the perfect way to do this. Inside, she'll discover:The plus side of periods – how what seems like a curse is actually something to celebrateWhy she wants to sleep all the time… and what she can do to feel better when that simply isn't possibleThe surprising link between fashion and nutrition – and why she needs to be aware of thisEverything she ever wanted to know about bras (plus everything she didn't realize she needed to know!)The ins and outs of body image… and why (and how) to make sure she has a positive oneHow to navigate the mental health challenges that seem to spring up from nowhereThe reason she's struggling with her confidence… and what she can do to overcome thisA complete understanding of gender identity – perfect for if she's unsure of her own or wants to understand a friend who's struggling with theirsHow to navigate bullying and harassment – whether online or in real spaceAll the background information she needs in order to understand her sexual orientation – no matter what it is or how unsure she is right nowEssential sexual health and family planning advice – so she'll always stay safe and in controlInspiring journaling prompts to accompany every chapter – so she can reflect and explore along the wayAnd much more.Adolescence has always been a challenging time, and today's teenagers are facing things you may not be equipped to teach them about… But that's okay. All you need to do is provide them with the resources they need to understand themselves and the world around them – and they'll do the rest.Your daughter has everything she needs to navigate her teen years with grace and confidence… She just needs a little nudge in the right direction.Give your little girl everything she needs to blossom into a confident young woman.

Dreading having 'the talk' with your son? There's a solution... and it's one that gives him the control and independence he craves.Most people are aware of the fact that girls are hitting puberty at a younger age than they used to… But did you know that the same is true for boys?With girls, having 'the talk' to prepare them for what's to come is (while by no means easy) at least centered around periods… But when it comes to boys, some of whom enter puberty much earlier than their parents were expecting, where do you begin?Teaching boys to understand what's happening in their body as they continue on their journey toward adulthood is important.But those conversations can be awkward… Your son cringes with every word you say, and he's so embarrassed you're not even sure that he's taking it all in.The trick is to give him his own set of keys – give him the information to discover at his own pace, without the embarrassment of talking to a grown-up about the things he's not even comfortable with himself.This boy-friendly guide is designed to be exactly that tool. Let him know he can talk to you any time he likes… and then hand him the book and let him learn what he needs to at his own pace. Inside, he'll discover:The 5 stages of puberty – so that he knows what to expect before Stage 1 hitsClear insight into why his parents and teachers keep talking about his 'attitude' – and what he can do to improve his self-awarenessWhy he might not hit puberty at exactly the same time as his friends (and why this is ok)Exactly what to expect when his voice breaks (from those first awkward moments right through to his new grown-up voice)Sneaky tricks he can use to help him grow tall and strongWhy underwear is about to become more important than he realized – and how he can make the most comfortable choice for his bodyThe anatomic changes he can expect inside his pants (but is far too embarrassed to ever ask about)The reason personal hygiene is about to become even more important… and how he can stay on top of it and avoid unpleasant 'teenage boy odors'All the questions he has about that much-anticipated facial hair… answered! (PLUS – essential shaving tips)Two surprising body parts he didn't realize he needed to take care of – and how he can do it easilyHow to handle what he's probably dreading the most – acneThe real deal with hormones – and the effect they're going to have on his mind and bodyAll the bits you least want to talk to him about – let him learn everything he needs to know about wet dreams, erections, and masturbation… without a single embarrassing conversationHow to make sense of his blossoming feelings of sexual attraction (plus how to navigate his sexual identity as he learns more about himself)Why his emotions are all over the place – and how he can get greater controlTop tips for navigating every relationship when he's not always in charge of his emotionsAnd much more.Puberty can be scary for kids who don't know what to expect, but if you're dreading having 'the talk' with your son, don't worry… You don't have to explain every uncomfortable detail to him.With a clear and comprehensive guide by his side, he can discover everything he needs to know by himself… and come to you only when he's ready.Give him the key to understanding his own journey into adulthood London Ford made it her tradition to celebrate puberty with a special chicken dinner for her three adult daughters and son. She holds a Master of Liberal Arts from the University of Pennsylvania and enjoys writing across cultures. She lives in Philadelphia, PA.