When Teens Stray: Parenting for the Long Haul

This is a crisply written book chock full of wisdom for parents dealing with prodigal children. Larson blends solid Biblical principles with equally solid youth development knowledge. An example: "Never make good behavior a prerequisite for your affection. It is a condition that even God doesn't demand." Woven throughout are fascinating stories of real-world challenges faced by families with challenging youth. This book is a God-send for parents and others who love teens who stray but need fresh ideas to help these youth keep their families in balance.

When teens stray--everyone in the family suffers. And everyone wants to find the quickest way out. Thank goodness God doesn't parent us, his children, that way! Thank you Scott for this honest, realistic, no pie-in-the-sky look at what it means to be parents of teens who choose to go their own way. Facing the hard facts is tough--but this book helps you realize you are not alone. And, although there is no easy way out, there is always hope. The stories, statistics, practical advice based on years of experience, and biblical perspectives make this one of the best resources available for those who are struggling down this path. If you're on this journey, the resource directory alone is worth the price of the book. So don't give in and don't give up. In the words of Robert Louis Stevenson, "the best way out is always through." This practical guide will help you parent for the long haul.

In Dr. Larsons new book When Teens Stray Parenting for the Long Haul. I found a great amount of helpful information for parents who are raising teenagers in this day and age. Dr. Larson says "parenting for the long haul means parenting with the future in mind, trying to make each day's decisions with a mind toward five or ten years from now. In the book he gives many real life stories that cut to the heart of many issues facing teens today. The results that Dr. Larson has found are kids that throws their arms round their parents and tell them they are eternaly greatfull for the way that were raised. Dr. Larson gives seven common myths parents hold about their kids. These myths are very insightful. They will help you see the ways that our teenagers realy see the world not the way we think they do.When our teens do go atray Dr. Larsons give tips like " It is far better to confront transgressions right away. He says some times it is better for them to pick the consequences for their actions than for us as parrents to.Later in the book he gives us seven proactive principles for parenting rebellious teens. These principles are agian very insightful. He uses time tested Biblical wisdom thoughout his book. Dr. larson says that "The experiences of raising a rebellious child gives parents a unque insight into the character of God". Even Jesus never with held his love from Judas Iscariot even thought he would betray him. We as parents of teens can all learn from this.Dr. Larson says that we as parents can get away with many mistakes in parenting if our home if it is built with a solid loving alliance. He offers many profesional outlets for help in the raining of rebellious teens if one feels thay need help in any of these areas. Thank you Dr. Larson for this wonderful book. My wife and I give it the hiest raiting.

What a help this would have been to us when our children were growing up. Its common sense and gives a different perspective,to us anyway,on what parenting for the long haul really is. We feel parents who are raising childen would benefit from reading this book and consequencly the children themselves. Times have changed so much since our children were growing up and now we have grandchildren. We certainly desire to grandparent them for the "long haul."

Scott Larson's book, "When Teens Stray" is a tremendous resource for any parent, counselor, youth worker or pastor, and should be on the shelf of anyone who needs a concise, down-to-earth resource for working through various issues with teenagers. It should also be required reading for anyone working with teens in any capacity. I would also strongly recommend this book to any healthy family as well. It would affirm, prepare and grant additional insight into parent-teen relationships. Scott's experience in working with troubled youth gave him many pertinent illustrations to draw from. His style is easy to read, straight-forward and peppered with excellent guidelines and suggestions. It also includes many practical helps and an excellent list of resources and ministries, this book is a must-have!Lennie Spitale, Director of Prison Ministries, Vision New England