Promise You Won't Freak Out: A Teenager Tells Her Mom the Truth About Boys, Booze, Body Piercing, and Other Touchy Topics

by Doris A. Fuller, Natalie Fuller, Greg Fuller

In this honest and insightful she said/she said guide, sixteen-year-old Natalie Fuller tells all about her adventures and misadventures from ages thirteen through sixteen. Her brother, Greg, fills in on the later teen years. And Doris, the questioning, caring (and occasionally shell-shocked) mom offers her take on such mildly eye-opening and downright life-threatening topics as...

alcohol and other drugs * sex and dating * school * appearances * partying * stealing * obsessions * secrets * lying

Promise You Won't Freak Out gives parents a complete picture of how teens really think, feel, and act. And it gives kids a better understanding of why this picture freaks their parents out. For both, it offers some very helpful information-and an inspiring example of successful parent/teen communication.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction

237 pages, Paperback

First published May 4, 2004

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so honest and funny and easy to read, it was one of the best parenting books I have ever read. Please note that it was written in 2004 before social media. The content is all very relevant today but the element of influences of social media are not included.

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 2 out of 5]

This might be helpful to some parents out there but it wasn't interesting in any way for me. I think the premise is a good one, a mom and daughter working together to try to eliminate as much of the secrecy and rebellion of the teenage years and to bring that knowledge to others. The only thing wrong with this picture is that the problems encountered in this book, from my experiences and those of my friends, all the people I know and knew, what I've heard. etc., are the problems of either a VERY good kid or a 12 year old. I'd surpassed this kid at about 14. Now, granted, I was a pretty damn bad teen but the other teens I knew then and know now, even if they weren't as bad as me, were still FAR worse then this chick.
The first altercation her mom describes includes "a forbidden highway drive, a unknown boy, and a party". Um yeah, that right there is the making of any weekend night for any teenage girl in the US. And exactly WHY is the highway driving (or riding I should probably say) forbidden? That's an extreme word for something that millions upon millions of people, including teens, do every single day.
It's just not worth it. I guess if you happen to have a straight A kid who never goes out and never does a damn thing wrong but you want to check to make sure they aren't secretly forgetting to lock the doors at night or forgetting to let the dogs out to pee- this might be for you.
To all of you (and me included most likely in another ten years- God forbid) who have regular teens who keep secrets and go behind their parents backs- don't waste the time.

[Crabbygirl · Rating 2 out of 5]

a mom and a daughter exchange letters about the usual teen conflicts and the daughter tells (some) truth (i doubt she spilled everything - like she says she doesn't go to parties anymore b/c they're a hassle. doubt it!)
but at least she's not a total angel: she went out of state to visit a secret boyfriend and her mom was clueless

anyhow, i got some good conversation starters thoughout the book - like for your teen's friends:
how did you meet her?
who does she hang with?
what's the thing you like best/least about her? do you trust her?

if you hear unsettling things about these friends, it's not the time to spout off wih your beliefs/judgement. ask our teen what THEY think of that behavior. spend more time listening than lecturing.

for your moody teen - saying you don't seem like yourself - long pause...
OR you don't seem yourself ever since (fill in the blank) - long pause... could yield a breakthrough sharing moment.

and the topic of sex can be direct and helful:
like 'what would you like to know about sex?'
or 'does the idea seem scary/exciting?'
if they have friends having sex, then what have they said about it

[Michelle Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This really helped with not freaking out with my teenager. Which is very helpful and she appriciates it. Though I still do it is a little less

[MD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved having both the mom and the teen girl perspective in this book.