Comments on: Best of Both Worlds podcast: Parenting teens and tweens

By: Maggie

Maggie — Wed, 03 Feb 2021 16:12:50 +0000

I was a little surprised to hear how little the children have to help and occasionally even get paid for it. Would this be different if you didn’t have help around the house from outside?

By: Sarah K

Sarah K — Wed, 03 Feb 2021 12:16:41 +0000

In reply to Jessica. Jessica, I have a 12-year-old boy who isn't that motivated at school because he is going to be a pro athlete. This despite the fact that he is not even the best player on his little local team. I so relate to your comment! I don't want to crush his dreams but I also want him to learn math etc.

By: Shelley Lee

Shelley Lee — Wed, 03 Feb 2021 04:32:16 +0000

My boys are 18 and 16… I have to say I did not read any parenting books when they were small but when they hit tween years I knew I needed help! Here are some books/authors that have been helpful to me. Some do have a Christian bent but take what you can use and leave the rest! Dr. Keven Leman has a ton of super helpful parenting books for middle school and teen years. Cynthia Tobias has “Middle School: The Inside Story.” This book I love, love: Why I didn’t rebel by Rebecca Gregoire Lindennbach. That is a sampling. : )

These authors have a younger kid and teen book: Parenting with Love and Logic by Foster Cline and Jim Fay. Then Parenting Teens with Love and Logic.

I think one of our best decisions was we gave each kid money for all their clothes (not winter coats, church clothes), shoes, some activities, eventually we added hair cuts, portion of cell phone… We gave them a stash of cash at the start of each year and we have given them less and less each year. Helps with the desire to get a job! One child spent a lot of his on clothing, one child has a lot left and spent some on other things – but that is how life is in the real world! And we did not have to argue about a $40 pair of shorts that one child wanted! He could decide how he wanted to spend his clothing money. From this vantage point it has been very instructive for them.

Hope those tips are helpful to someone – both of your blogs and podcasts have been very encouraging for me! Thank you Laura and Sarah!

By: Jessica

Jessica — Wed, 03 Feb 2021 02:52:45 +0000

Thanks for this episode! I haven’t had a chance to listen to the whole episode yet, but I have been anxiously waiting for it. My older three boys are 14, 12, and 11. While 11 years ago was definitely harder, I feel like I have a lot less of an idea how to parent these ages-friend drama, girl drama, hygiene reminders, braces, school, screen time, unrealistic future plans (professional athlete??), etc. They are great kids and I love doing life with them, but there are a lot of hormones at our house right now, and I don’t know what I am doing, lol.

By: Gillian

Gillian — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 21:53:53 +0000

Thanks for tackling teens and tweens! I know it is harder to talk about this group of kids for all the reasons you all mentioned. I also love hearing about how families handle chores and allowance. There are so many interesting takes on this out in the world. As mentioned there isn’t a ton out there about parenting teens. One book I have found helpful is Teach Your Children Well but Madeline Levine. The book tackles school-aged kids from 5-18 but with discrete sections for each group and practical advice that I turn to again and again.

By: Griffin

Griffin — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 21:14:27 +0000

I love the line about only playing a Type A person professionally.