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Anthony E. Wolf
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I'd Listen to My Parents If They'd Just Shut Up: What to Say and Not Say When Parenting Teens Today Kindle Edition

by Anthony Wolf (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 170 ratings
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A practicing clinical psychologist for children and adolescents, Anthony Wolf, author of the phenomenal bestseller Get Out Of My Life, But First Can You Drive Me and Cheryl to the Mall? (“I love this book!” —Parenting Magazine) returns with another wise, funny, and eminently practical guide to raising and understanding teenagers. I’d Listen to My Parents If They’d Just Shut Up offers frustrated moms and dads humorous, dialog-based advice and techniques for what to say and not to say when parenting teens today.
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  1. Print length
    386 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    William Morrow Paperbacks
  4. Publication date
    November 1, 2011
  5. File size
    1.3 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

“Why do you always have to be at me about stuff when I’m in the middle of doing something?”

“You don’t have to yell at me! Everything has to be exactly when you want it! I hate this house!”

Is there any aspect of parenting more frustrating than when even the simplest conversation with your teenager quickly deteriorates into a take-no-prisoners war? Bestselling author Anthony E. Wolf sympathizes, and in his new book he provides hope, humor, and practical tips for dealing with the everyday challenges of raising teens in the twenty-first century.

I’d Listen to My Parents if They’d Just Shut Up will help you understand who your teenagers really are under all the attitude, and what new rules apply to successfully communicating with them in today’s constantly evolving world of the Internet, electronics, and social media. A book designed to make life with your teenage child a significantly more enjoyable experience, I’d Listen to My Parents if They’d Just Shut Up offers specific scenarios to illustrate which responses will work and which ones are doomed to failure the next time your thirteen-to-nineteen-year-old refuses to listen or won’t take “no” for an answer.

About the Author

Anthony E. Wolf, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist for children and adolescents. A former columnist for Child magazine and a current columnist for the Toronto Globe and Mail, he is the author of numerous parenting books, including Get Out of My Life, but First Could You Drive Me and Cheryl to the Mall? and Why Did You Have to Get a Divorce?

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B004MMEID2
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ William Morrow Paperbacks (November 1, 2011)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 1, 2011
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.3 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 386 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 0061915459
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 170 ratings

About the author

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Anthony E. Wolf

Anthony E. Wolf

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Anthony E. Wolf, Ph.D., is a practicing clinical psychologist and the author of many bestselling books. He has worked with children and adolescents for more than thirty years and lectures widely on parenting topics. He lives in Suffield, Connecticut.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
170 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book provides practical advice for parents in real-life situations. They appreciate the witty and entertaining writing style. The book helps readers learn from each chapter and find helpful examples.

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AdviceHumorEntertainment value
41 customers mention "Advice"41 positive0 negative

Customers find the advice practical and helpful. They say it teaches parents to be wise and flexible, helping them achieve their goals of raising teens. The book helps them understand their pre-teens' perspective and have more calm communication.

"I LOVED this no-nonsense, funny, and poignant book by Anthony Wolf. I have a 13 year old daughter and a 10 year old son who are great kids...." Read more

"...He is not looking for a dogmatic stiff approach. He teaches parents to be wise, flexible to be able to achieve the goals of raising a happy adult...." Read more

"...unconditional love, unconditional positive regard, maturity, and wisdom behave. Word for word...." Read more

"...At the crux of it all its sooo comforting to know you are A)..." Read more

10 customers mention "Humor"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's humor. They find it witty, relevant, and an easy read that helps maintain a sense of humor while living with teens. The style is down-to-earth and not preachy or didactic. Readers enjoy the author's writing style and how he understands the teen mind and navigates the rhetoric.

"I LOVED this no-nonsense, funny, and poignant book by Anthony Wolf. I have a 13 year old daughter and a 10 year old son who are great kids...." Read more

"...The book is modern, very well written, and many times enternaining...." Read more

"...This witty, relevant book will have parents nodding in agreement and wishing they could re-do conversations with their teens that didn't go so well...." Read more

"...The style is funny, down-to-earth, and not preachy, didactic, or overly scientific or "text book-ish." The imaginary conversations are like..." Read more

5 customers mention "Entertainment value"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining and interesting. They say it helps them change anxieties and provides helpful examples in every chapter.

"...This book says what every parent needs to hear and it does so in a fun, engaging, and non-condescending manner...." Read more

"...It provides sensible advice that works. The stories are pretty entertaining too." Read more

"In addition to being extremely entertaining, it helped me change my anxieties stemming from the day-to-day interactions with our teenagers...." Read more

"...Easy, interesting, funny read - definitely recommend!" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Angie Crosby
    5.0 out of 5 stars Just the advice I needed!!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    I LOVED this no-nonsense, funny, and poignant book by Anthony Wolf. I have a 13 year old daughter and a 10 year old son who are great kids. It is very important to me I keep the lines of communication open with my kids and having a teenager can sometimes make it challenging.

    This book provivded just what I needed to hear and helped reassure me I was on the right track as well as give me a better understanding of how teens feel about their parents. I am not a big reader of self-help type books since they tend to tell too many "stories" instead of getting right to the point with short examples. This book says what every parent needs to hear and it does so in a fun, engaging, and non-condescending manner. I laughed, cried, and developed an even bigger appreciation for my teen. It is hard work for them and am so proud that she is a good kid :-)

    I would recommend this book to every parent with a teen, seriously. It was much appreciated by this single mom!
    9 people found this helpful
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  • legor
    5.0 out of 5 stars The best parenting book I have ever read
    Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Those parents who see the conversations from the book unrealistic should focus on reading some fiction - their task is naturally easy without too much effort - it happened to me with my younger child. But those, whose parenting skills are really tested by their growing kids, this book gives real advice, many times confirmation that you are doing something right, provides useful details for many situations, and most of all, gives hope. I really like the author's position that this is not going to be an easy road. He is not looking for a dogmatic stiff approach. He teaches parents to be wise, flexible to be able to achieve the goals of raising a happy adult. The biggest thing for me is that I gradually change my mindset, and it is helping. The book is modern, very well written, and many times enternaining. If you don't recognize your child in at least a few of the conversations from the book, your parenting job is too plain easy. I'm throwing away a few parenting books after reading this one.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Bridget Fitzgerald
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best parenting book ever
    Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    I am half way through this book and it has changed my/our lives. The author wrote this book about me and my 15 and 18 year old boys personally. I don't know how they collaborated without my knowledge but they did. My boys and I are quoted directly throughout this book, both our spoken words and our thoughts! It is the most concretely helpful yet profound book I have ever encountered. A whole chapter just on the fact teenagers are allergic to doing what they are asked when the are asked! My kids keep asking me what is so funny as I am reading. I have a degree in Psychology and a Master's in Clinical social work for what that is worth when it comes to parenting these boys. I'm a babe in the woods until now with this book. I see where I totally get it and where I have gotten it wrong and the author holds my hand, shows me the error of my ways, and exactly what to do instead and why. He tells us exactly what love says and does, how unconditional love, unconditional positive regard, maturity, and wisdom behave. Word for word. I'm so grateful for the insight and understanding and wisdom I have gained and put into action in our home already. We are happier, much more functional, and more peaceful. Thank you so much, Anthony Wolf.
    51 people found this helpful
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  • Julia Bailey
    4.0 out of 5 stars Helped me improve my relationship with teenager!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Bought this when recommended by psychiatrist. This was a good book. I recommend this for anyone with a teenager!
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  • nJ mama
    5.0 out of 5 stars This book should be a baby shower gift
    Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Hit the nail on the head with this one. I read "get out of my life" then followed up with this.
    At the crux of it all its sooo comforting to know you are A) not alone B) IT WILL PASS C) you can actually do things and not do things that WILL help.
    Ive been using some of the techniques in this book and we have ALOT more harmony at home.
    It hasn't quelled the sibling rivalry (I've got another 2 books on that topic) but at least I am not contributing to any drama in the house and my teen can cool off and come back around to me in a more responsive way.
    GENIUS!
    a must-read
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Mark V.
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best
    Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    It doesn't have all the answers, but it approaches the problems and solutions in an incredibly honest way. I've been looking for a book to help my child work through her problems and ease the tension between her and my wife and I. I was reading "Transforming the Difficult Child" and it got to a point where the final solution was to effectively give them a time-out. Seriously. I scoffed at it and found so many loophole and ways to get around what they were wanting the parent to do. This book doesn't give an ultimate, this-always-works solution, but is realistic in presenting the fact that no matter what you do, your kid will make his/her own choices. And even though you don't think they listen to you, or that you matter to them, you do. And thinking back on my own teenage years, I was very much that way. Reassuring and extremely helpful.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Robert G. Leroe
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wolf is a genius
    Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    Get out of my life (Wolf's previous book on teens) should be required reading for parents, and then they need to read this one. Every page is filled with insight and practical advice on how to handle the storms and stress of adolescence. This witty, relevant book will have parents nodding in agreement and wishing they could re-do conversations with their teens that didn't go so well. There's not a wasted page here. Wolf understands the teen mind, how to translate the rhetoric, and negotiate minefields of the teen years. He explains what to say, what not to say, and when one should say nothing. I've been to war and I've had teenagers, and war was easier. Wolf's books are worth their weight in gold.
    9 people found this helpful
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  • Lizzy4
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this book as a reference for another book project I'm working on. I found it to be highly readable, filled with common sense approaches to all kinds of issues about understanding adolescent behavior. The style is funny, down-to-earth, and not preachy, didactic, or overly scientific or "text book-ish." The imaginary conversations are like conversations any parent might have with their teen, and parents will be able to identify with many of them - "Wow my kid says the same thing to me!" I also highly recommend his other book, "Get Out of My Life, But First Could You Drive Me and Cheryl to the Mall."
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Really helpful advice!
    Reviewed in Canada on October 20, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Really informative. Would recommend for parents of teens!
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  • Sinti Ormsby
    5.0 out of 5 stars Incredibly insightful and useful
    Reviewed in Australia on January 2, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I liked the no nonsense approach, with lots of real life examples. I’m sure he’s been in my house watching us with our teen daughters - so much truth in such a great book!
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  • Alison Jones
    5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommend this book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 16, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    Easy to read and follow, just like my own teens have written it for me. Makes a lot of sense and gives you a lot to think about with regard to parenting teens. Great book.
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  • BigE
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on December 8, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Great insights and gives more perspective on what I say and my child hears. Very enlightening.
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  • Ms. Caroline Roberts
    5.0 out of 5 stars Made me feel better just by reading it!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 6, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    As I just said, this book made me feel better just by reading it! When I first read it, it made me laugh and it made me cry. I could hear my teenage son's voice saying all the same phrases in my head. I found out where I was going wrong and, most importantly, what I was doing right. I bought this book as well as 'Get Out of My Life: But First Take Me and Alex Into Town' at the same time because I was so desperate. If I have a criticism about this book, it is only because it is written by an american author for the american market and therefore has words like 'mom' and 'trash' and 'Mall' in it - it's a personal dislike, but that is too minor a gripe to drop it even half a star rating. (His other book is completely geared towards the british reader.) Both books tackle up-to-date issues such as the internet, mobile phones, social networking sites and how to cope. It gives hints and tips to make life with your teenager better and, although there are probably too many tips to implement at once, once you start doing it and your teen stops in his tracks mid-rant, you start to feel more in control. If you have specific issues, the book index makes it easy to find the situation you are having a problem with so you can dip into it and read up on it. Sometimes, just de-camping to my room to read the chapter on the latest crisis was enough to defuse a bad situation. As I continued to read more of the book, I realised that we were both normal, this was all normal behaviour. It isn't enough to say things like 'I would never have behaved like that to my parents', because we live in a different world. I realise that my parents ruled by fear and we don't do that any more, so we have to find other strategies to get the behaviour we want from our kids and this book helped me do that. My son's behaviour had been a shock to me, as my daughter (3 years older) had never been as bad as my son now is. We had had our arguments, but nothing like the terrible, bitter rages that I get from my son. I have been really desperate and I really did not want the Police involved -again- (it was that bad) as it was getting embarrassing. All too often, especially as a single parent with no extended family, it was easy to think that it was all my fault because I was a terrible mother. It made me realise why my son says what he does and why he behaves in that manner. To sum it up, this book has given me hope......that one day I'll realise that my son has emptied the dishwasher without me asking and then made me a cup of coffee....and all with a smile!
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