The Blessing of a B Minus: Using Jewish Teachings to Raise Resilient Teenagers [Paperback]

In the follow-up to her bestselling book,The Blessing of a Skinned Knee, Dr. Wendy Mogel shows parents how to navigate the teenage years.

When a child becomes a teenager, her sense of entitlement and independence grows, the pressure to compete skyrockets, and communication becomes fraught with obstacles. Dr. Wendy Mogel emphasizes empathy and guidance over micromanaging teens’ lives and overreacting to missteps. She reveals that emotional outbursts, rudeness, rule-breaking, staying up late, and other worrisome teen behaviors are in fact normal and necessary steps in psychological growth and character development to be met with thoughtful care, not anxiety. With her signature wit and warmth, Mogel gives parents the tools to do so, offering reassuring advice on:

· why influence is more effective than control
· teenage narcissism
· living graciously with rudeness
· the surprising value of ordinary work
· why risk is essential preparation for the post–high school years
· when to step in and when to step back

The Blessing of a B Minusis an important and inspiring book that will fortify parents through the teenage years.The Blessing of a B Minus

Parenting Group Discussion Guide

I’ve written this guide to provide parents of teenagers with a framework for discussing the topics ofThe Blessing of a B Minusin a group setting. Teachers and school administrators can also use the guide to form a group of their own. Talking about your concerns and getting the perspective of peers can be cathartic, reassuring, and eye-opening. Yet parents of teens are less likely to participate in parent education programs or discussion groups than parents of young children.

I witnessed this reluctance firsthand when I decided to hold my first classes for parents of teens a few years ago. I expected the classes would be similar to the ones I’l!