Tweens: Navigating friendships, moods, technology, boundaries, body image and the road ahead

by Michelle Mitchell

If your child is between the ages of nine and twelve, you are in the throes of the ‘between’ years. Not quite a child and not yet a teenager, tweens embody a very specific stage of development that once understood will revolutionise the way you parent, educate and support those in your care.

In Tweens, award-winning parenting educator Michelle Mitchell explains that this is the most rapid period of development since toddlerhood. Right now, before the full pressures of high school hit, you have a window of opportunity that can change the trajectory of adolescence and beyond.

Using the results from her recent survey of more than 2000 parents and tweens, along with interviews with experts, Michelle compassionately guides parents through their children’s friendship issues, mood swings, confidence crises, technology habits, sibling rivalry, body image concerns and seemingly inexplicable behaviour. She provides invaluable practical advice and groundbreaking research from leading organisations to reassure parents that tweens are ready to be switched on to their potential, and every trusted adult in their lives can be a part of that process.

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting

354 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 28, 2023

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Brooke Alice (brookes.bookstagram) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really helpful overview and introduction to be prepared for Tweens and as they move into their Teenage years.

I found this really insightful with so many little opportunities to compare notes to other parents/caregivers who were presented with challenging situations with their children, and being able to relay and ask curious questions with my now 13 year old about so many things that have come up since puberty and hormones have kicked in.

I would have preferred more of a deep dive with helpful strategies regarding neurodiverse children as there was mention of someone who specialises in this area, but no factual information linking me to be able to access this, but overall super helpful.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple structure and well written. A resource you can take notice of... or not! Reading this will confirm what we all know - parenting has its challenges, but every child / parent is unique.
Michelle summarises key milestones for tweens and puts at the forefront of parents' minds the importance of connecting and communicating with your young person.
Highly recommend.

[Jacqui · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty lame to be honest. I cringed at the stories of the tweens that did “funny” things like put toilet rolls in the toilet. I just couldn’t relate as my kids are very different. I could not finish it.

[Eric LE · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Some great insights inside. I would have prefered a shorter book with more practical advices. Still worth the read.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly helpful and easy to read.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a useful book to read. I felt like Michelle was speaking to me as she wrote this!
So many lightbulbs and takeaways.

[Amber Halstead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous 👌

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing and insightful book, it will become my bible for parenthood and I feel better equiped after reading this.

[Louise Donegan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting and helpful insights here on what to expect.

[Jess Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential read for parents of Tweens!

[Frances Lalor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight into the tween years with practical tips for parents - loved it!

[Kim Bristowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gives a little more greater understanding of what our kids are going through. Would be good to have a ADHD version and how these kids are different and what extra supports can be provided.