Raising Healthy Teenagers: Equipping Your Child to Navigate the Pitfalls and Dangers of Teen Life

by Thomas Kersting

Family therapist and renowned parenting expert unpacks the unique challenges teens face today--including isolation from friends and family, increased screen-time, and a steady stream of fear-based media--and helps parents guide them toward better mental health and life success.

Genres: Nonfiction, Family, Parenting

208 pages, Hardcover

Published February 21, 2023

About the author

Tom Kersting is one of the most sought-after experts in the field of mental health, families, parenting in the digital age, and over-device use, as he provides advice to millions of people through regular television appearances, radio and print media, books and private sessions. He is a straight shooter, and passionate about helping families whether in crisis or just in disaccord.

Tom holds advanced degrees including a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from St. Thomas Aquinas College, a Master’s degree in Counseling & Human Development and a second Master’s in Administration & Supervision, both from Montclair State University. Tom also holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Hypnotherapy (alternative/non-traditional) from Kona University. Tom is also a former semi-professional baseball player, avid golfer and dedicated to fitness.

Reviews

[IrenesBookReviews]

By the title I thought this would be a step-by-step guide of ways to help your teen in their teen years. It wasn't that but more of the authors views on how the past few years (2019-2022) has affected the emotions and life adaptability of children. The author describes the effects of isolation and unmonitored internet usage can have on children and teens as they begin to mature. He goes into detail about anxiety and how there has been such an increase of it which he blames on social media and distance learning. He cites experiences he has had as a counselor to back up his theories. Some of what he highlights was enlightening and others felt more like just his opinions. If you are looking for an understanding of why your teen may be having unexplained anxiety reading this book will definitely help.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher Baker Books, for the temporary digital ARC that I read and gave my honest opinion of.

[Jackie]

Overall it was good and he had a lot of great thoughts, I just felt he came across kind of know-it-all. 🤪 The main point was pretty much keep your kids off screens! I really appreciated his chapter on college admission pressure and debt.

[Scott]

Easy read, and helpful stuff from Thomas Kersting on raising teenagers in this "instant gratification, digital device" world. There’s a “nature deficit disorder” prevalent everywhere among teens. Get outside! The pandemic compounded an already growing mental health crisis among children and young people’s social anxiety has grown.

The heart of the issue is less about excessive screen time and more about social isolation and how kids can get comfortable with their new normal. Eventually, with this new normal, kids play with other kids, and suddenly new social challenges and anxieties are triggered. Social interaction will equip children to understand their emotions while understanding and showing empathy for the emotions of others.

Exercise for kids improves sleep, brain function, self-esteem, and sharpens the mind. Get moving!

Improving self-esteem requires daily “self” time, which includes 15 minutes a day closing their eyes and sitting in silence to focus on their own qualities. What are they grateful for? Teach your children the art of "boredom" --- introspection. Positive thoughts must be practiced and learned.

Watch out for Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) -- defiant behavior towards parents, -vindictiveness, -anger issues, -constantly questioning the rules.

Screen time and Science: Too much dopamine leads to anxiety, depression, and anger issues. Pain/Pleasure balance in the brain gets out of whack. Parents: take the digital device away for a month to reset your child’s dopamine balance. Spirituality: God is not present in many children’s lives.

College is expensive! Experience and work ethic are more important than the college you attend.

[Michelle Castaneda]

Raising Healthy Teenagers: Equipping Your Child to Navigate the Pitfalls and Dangers of Teen Life by Thomas Kersting is a good book for parents today to read. This book was not what I was expecting because it did not have a lot of strategies for how to equip children today. Rather, it is a fantastic examination of the post-pandemic world that complicates everything for adolescents today. Pick this book up to get a better understanding of what your child faces in today’s world. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

[Laurie]

A wonderful guidebook that is current and timely, with its advice for parents of young children, and those entering their teen years. In today’s world of increasing disrespect by teenagers, the author empathetically deals with the stresses that today’s youth are facing in a world of unrelenting horrific news stories, unpretentious isolation, and too much screen time. He offers coping strategies, and solid tips in identifying causes, and ways to implement effective changes, for the betterment of teens, and their families.

[Leigh Ann]

Many parenting books read like a how to guide, but this book is just practical, simple advice for parents. It was an easy read and didn’t feel heavy like parenting books often can.