The Parent's Guide to Helping Teenagers in Crisis
- Marriage, Family & Relationships
- Publisher: Zondervan Reflective (Zondervan)
- Published: 2007
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Publisher's Description
You’ve seen it on the news too many times to count. School shootings, adolescent addictions, bullying, eating disorders, depression and suicide, cutting, pregnancy. There is no lack of bad news to be told about teenagers today. Maybe you believe that will never happen to “my child.” And maybe it won’t. But crises aren’t always the stories that make the evening news. The spectrum of crises an adolescent may face can range from something as (seemingly harmless) as getting caught cheating on a test to dealing with the breakdown of the family, to acting out and getting in trouble with the law. And the reality is that someone they know will likely experience some kind of crisis—and that can affect your teen significantly. Either way, when a crisis affects your teen, wouldn’t you want to be prepared? Rich Van Pelt and Jim Hancock, both of whom have raised teenagers into adulthood and have spent decades in youth ministry and crisis management, bring together their expertise and insight to help you identify and understand what a crisis is and how you can help your teen live and grow through it. Inside, you’ll find practical responses for issues like: Suicidal thoughts or behavior Accidents Cheating Death (of a friend or loved one) Divorce Eating disorders Hazing Pregnancy Sexual abuse Sexual identity confusion Substance abuse or addiction And more… In addition to learning appropriate responses to crises, you’ll learn how to prevent some of these issues, and how to get professionals involved when necessary. Whatever it is your teen is dealing with, your influence in their life is still the most important one. So be prepared to walk them through their crisis with wisdom, compassion, and the tools to help them heal.
Endorsements (11)
“Decades of effectively working with youth and their parents shine through every page of this outstanding book. With compassion and precision and wisdom and love, Rich Van Pelt and Jim Hancock pack this book with illustrations, examples, and tools that will guide parents when they need them most. Parents of children who struggle with suicidal thoughts, bullying, and drug abuse are given hope, action plans, and clear responses. Our shelves are filled with Christian counseling books; many are helpful in dealing with teenage issues. However, The Parents Guide to Helping Teenagers in Crisis provides a psychological foundation combined with rare clarity in describing the options and responses that are open to parents with adolescents in crisis. Parents have no need to wait until their children have actual crises to find this book useful in understanding their teenagers.”
“Rich Van Pelt and Jim Hancock’s book is a must-read for any parent. Often I encounter parents who ask questions that are directly addressed in this book. It isn’t a matter of if a parent will need this book, but when a parent will need this book. The Parents Guide to Helping Teenagers in Crisis is a practical and tremendous tool for dealing with teenagers and their unique problems because it presents a hands-on approach to addressing, understanding, and planning courses of action.”
“This is the book I suggest to every parent with a teenager in crisis or wants to prevent their child from at-risk behavior. Rich Van Pelt and Jim Hancock Hancock are not only two of America’s best experts on the subject, but their content is compelling and informative.”
“While our fast-changing culture hasn’t made it any easier for kids, it’s also become a lot more midcult for parents. Because we think it can only happen to “someone else,” we’re paralyzed when the crisis hits home. Gleaned from years of experience in dealing positively these issues, The Parents Guide to Helping Teenagers in Crisis deserves a prominent spot on every parent’s bookshelf.”
“Crisis will come in one form or another—guaranteed. Either your child or a teenager associated with your child will be in crisis during their adolescent years. I’m thrilled that Jim and Rich have taken the time to help parents figure out ways to prepare for crisis, cope with crisis, and recover from crisis. And this is an excellent resource not only for parents, but for anyone who loves teenagers and desires to help them process the circumstances of life with a godly perspective.”
“I’ve known Rich and Jim for many years, both as colleagues in ministry and as friends of my family, so I know in a very personal way that they are the experts when it comes to helping kids in trouble. The ideas and techniques in this book are drawn from thousands of their own first-hand encounters with teenagers and their families in the midst of crisis. Today’s kids are under incredible incredible pressure. Now more than ever we need an army of compassionate parents and adult friends who know what to look for, what to say, and what to do when that pressure becomes overwhelming. Here’s your chance to learn from two of our very best.”
Dr. Tony Campolo
“Anyone who parents teenagers is bound to face the storm and stress of adolescence. When the thunder rolls, parents scramble to find resources for practical guidance, affirmation, understanding, and empathy. This book gives just that. I recommend that every parent of a teenager read The Parents Guide to Helping Teenagers in Crisis and have it as a great resource in their libraries.”
Dr. Steve Gerali
“For many years Rich and Jim have helped youth pastors and other professional caregivers come alongside hurting kids with both competence and compassion. Now they offer to parents their expertise, knowing that parents are—more often that not—in the best place possible to be the principle caregivers when their children are going through crises. The Parents Guide to Helping Teenagers in Crisis not only is an extremely well-written book, but a very important one for all parents.”
“This book is a flashlight to help parents find the path as we walk with our kids through the dark places. What makes it so relevant is that these guys have been down that path and know where to step.”
“The poignant illustrations of crisis shared by Rich and Jim testify to their expertise in ministering with parents and teenagers, and to their commitment to helping families heal. The Parents Guide to Helping Teenagers in Crisis surpasses any other parent resource I have encountered. It provides not only descriptive information and action plans for dealing with the crises today’s teenagers most frequently encounter, but also it offers parents sage advice on how to genuinely listen to their teenagers and foster resilience in their lives. This is a book that all parents should read and study, long before their children enter the teenage years.”
“Rich Van Pelt and Jim Hancock have produced a book that every parent needs to read, not only when a teenager is in crisis, but long before: as in right now.”
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