Your Teenager Is Not Crazy

Understanding Your Teen's Brain Can Make You a Better Parent

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Turn the most frustrating parenting years into the most fruitful
 
The teenage years. These three words can incite panic in many of us. Will our sweet boy or girl morph into an incomprehensible bundle of hormones and angst? Is trouble inevitable during the adolescent years? What should we expect as our kids grow? According to the latest research, we can anticipate amazing things! To move from panic to peace, however, we need a change of perspective. As we begin to understand the widespread construction taking place in the teenage brain, we can see and relate to our teen in wonderful new ways.   
 
Conveniently organized by what your teen says--things like I'm bored, You just don't understand, Why are you freaking out?, I hate my life, or Hold on, I just have to send this--this book will help you develop a deep compassion for your teen. Rather than seeing the teen years as a time to simply hold on for dear life, Dr. Jeramy and Jerusha Clark show that adolescence can be an amazing season of cultivating creativity, self-awareness, and passion for the things that really matter.
 

"By bringing together scientific research, compelling stories, practical advice, and spiritual principles, the Clarks equip, encourage, and empower parents to compassionately and wisely navigate their children's adolescent years."--Daniel G. Amen, MD, bestselling author of Change Your Brain, Change Your Life and coauthor of The Daniel Plan
 
"Your Teenager Is Not Crazy will not only give you confidence and compassion for teens but equip you with practical steps as well. This is a book every parent needs to read."--Sean McDowell, PhD, professor, Biola University; internationally acclaimed speaker; bestselling author of A New Kind of Apologist
 
"The Clarks offer us a book that embraces a 'teenagers are a wonder to behold' viewpoint. That makes all the difference in the world and is--I would suggest--the most important perspective needed for effective parenting."--Mark Oestreicher, partner, The Youth Cartel; author of A Parent's Guide to Understanding Teenage Brains
 

Dr. Jeramy Clark (MDiv, DMin, Talbot Theological Seminary) served as a youth pastor for seventeen years before becoming the pastor of discipleship at Emmanuel Faith Community Church. Jerusha Clark is an active writer and speaker. Her books include Every Thought Captive, The Life You Crave, and When I Get Married. The Clarks are also the bestselling coauthors of several books and the parents of two teenagers.


Endorsements

"Jeramy and Jerusha Clark are passionate about helping parents understand their teenagers better. By bringing scientific research, compelling stories, practical advice, and spiritual principles together, the Clarks equip, encourage, and empower parents to compassionately and wisely navigate their children's adolescent years."

Daniel G. Amen, MD, bestselling author of Change Your Brain, Change Your Life and coauthor of The Daniel Plan

"Loving and caring for teenagers can certainly be challenging, but it can also be a tremendous joy. Jeramy and Jerusha provide invaluable insights into the teen brain and how this can help us be better parents. Your Teenager Is Not Crazy will not only give you confidence and compassion for teens but equip you with practical steps as well. This is a book every parent needs to read."

Sean McDowell, PhD, professor, Biola University; internationally acclaimed speaker; bestselling author of over 15 books including A New Kind of Apologist

"The depth of insight and reams of practical ideas in this book are the second best things about it. The best thing--what really sets this book apart from other parenting books--is its perspective. The vast majority of parenting books use fear, guilt, and hyperbole to promote a 'teenagers are broken and a problem to be solved' perspective. I find this perspective theologically unsound, destructive, and unhelpful. But the Clarks offer us instead a book that embraces a 'teenagers are a wonder to behold' viewpoint. That makes all the difference in the world and is--I would suggest--the most important perspective needed for effective parenting."

Mark Oestreicher, partner, The Youth Cartel; author of dozens of books, including A Parent's Guide to Understanding Teenage Brains and Understanding Your Young Teen

"In recent years there's been a great deal of research done on the teenage brain, and it's so helpful to people who live and work with teens. Now Jeramy and Jerusha Clark have brought this research to parents in a most practical way. This incredible book is extremely comforting, in that as we understand more about the teenage brain, we begin to understand why our teenagers act the way they do. As parents, we can't blame every bizarre behavior on the brain, but the outstanding information on each page of Your Teenager Is Not Crazy will help you understand why your adolescent sometimes seems like an insane alien. This is a breakthrough book that will give you understanding, comfort, and practical advice from two people I respect very much."

Jim Burns, PhD, president, HomeWord; author of Teenology and Confident Parenting

"Read this important book now. You will benefit from so much--fascinating and relevant explanations of teens' behaviors, revealing statistics, moving stories, Scriptures used appropriately, and specific and manageable solutions to inspire you. It has something for everyone. What concerns you about your teen? What's driving you nuts? The Clarks cover it. This book is beautifully complete. It's informative and readable at the same time and surprisingly not overwhelming. You'll learn when to invest, when to back off, and what to ask, what to say, and when silence is best. Their insights about disobedience, sin, and teens are the best I've read. Brilliant and so helpful! I also appreciated the idea that parents resist the urge to apply a biblical Band-Aid. Yes! Read this book to understand your teens' brains so you know how to influence their hearts."

Kathy Koch, PhD, president and founder, Celebrate Kids, Inc.

"As a mom of three teenage boys, I found this book so easy to read and extremely helpful. Jeramy and Jerusha have created a beautiful mix of research, practical advice, and real-life application. They deal with the real issues I'm facing in my home!"

Juli Slattery, president and co-founder, Authentic Intimacy


The Authors

  1. Dr. Jeramy Clark

    Dr. Jeramy Clark

    Dr. Jeramy Clark (MDiv, DMin, Talbot Theological Seminary) served as a youth pastor for 17 years before becoming the pastor of discipleship at Emmanuel Faith Community Church. His role includes overseeing men's and women's ministries, care and counseling, and...

    Continue reading about Dr. Jeramy Clark

  2. Jerusha Clark

    Jerusha Clark

    Jerusha Clark is the author or coauthor of several books on spiritual growth, women's issues, marriage, and mental health, including the bestselling Every Thought Captive, and Your Teenager Is Not Crazy (coauthored with her husband, Dr. Jeramy...

    Continue reading about Jerusha Clark


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