How to Handle Your Parents
A Guide for Teens
By G.F. HutchisonThe intimate diaries of twin boys
The theme of his book is that teens have a great deal of control over how their parents treat them - raise them - and that they (teens) can take charge to improve things when the parents won't or can't. It provides specific information and concrete steps to analyze why parents act the way they do, how to plan a remedial program, and how to carry it out successfully. It includes discussions of what appropriate adjustment (mental health) is, typical “types” of problem parents, the basic laws of learning (and teaching), and several simple rules that help one get along with just about anybody they'll ever meet. Each suggestion is illustrated from the author's vast experience working with teens and families.
Review by
Peggy Abernathy
Clinical Psycologist, author and parentThis is the book every adolescent and family therapist has been hoping for. It exudes common sense and is written in the words of its intended audience - teens. It effectively and expertly achieves the goal set forth in its title: How to handle parents. The profuse illustrations drawn from Dr. Hutchison’s own work with young people make the approach feel immediately comfortable and workable. In the first chapter, the author builds a logical basis for the approach, using “universal” teen experiences to prove his case. Once a youngster buys this idea, he or she will be hooked till the final page. It is essentially a mental hygiene text book for teens and families (and could be used as such) without any of technical jargon or quoted studies. It is clearly written for parents and teachers as well. Sound. Believable. Authoritative. Practical. Even humorous. What more can one require of a self-help book. This one should be in the library of every child-service worker, and under the pillow of every teenager.
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ZEPHYR IN PINSTRIPES | GROWING UP DIFFERENT | 36 HOURS TO LIVE | DIRECTORY
ZEPHYR IN PINSTRIPES | 36 HOURS TO LIVE
This work represents the overlapping diaries of twin boys, one of whom developed into a heterosexual and the other, a homosexual. A totally unique, touching, sensitive presentation, drawn entirely from the pages of their very personal dual diaries and edited by a clinical psychologist.
GROWING UP DIFFERENT
By Tim and Tom ParksThe intimate diaries of twin boys
The excerpts span the years from ages ten to eighteen. It makes one rethink previous beliefs. Appropriate for mature Jr. High age and older. 179 pp. 1997 ISBN 1-885631-06-5Review by
Rev. Jerry Fulton
Lecturer, reluctant father of a gay sonThis is a sensitive, non-preachy, touching, baring of two young lives - at their own request - to help the rest of us improve our understanding of the personal and physical development of homosexuality.
Within the first few pages I had grown to love them both and found myself rooting for things to turn out just the way they wanted. It was not to be so.
The diaries represent a love story of sorts - the love of two brothers (fraternal twins) whose bond is so thoroughgoing and secure that nothing can destroy or even threaten it. The search together for their answers. They support each other through doubt, uncertainty and despair. They revel in each other's successes and time of happiness. The have much to teach us all about love and compassion. Perhaps that is the most important message of the book.
My one regret is that the book was not two or four or even ten times longer. Since the content was selectively focused on the sexual development entries gleaned from the thousands of pages of their two diaries, many other aspects of their relationship and development had to be touched on only lightly or omitted altogether. As I grew to like them so much, and as the sexual aspect of their lives unexpectedly dimmed in importance, I found myself wanting to know more about the rest of their lives.
Much of the content is not comfortable, but it is a helpful and even necessary addition to the literature on this subject. I know of no other similar work available anywhere (and believe me when I say I have looked). I believe an open-minded person (thirteen or older) will be glad he or she read it.
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HOURS TO LIVE | DIRECTORY
In this actual diary, edited by Dr. Hutchison, Craig Franklin, a bright, caring, 16 year old boy, carefully chronicled the final 36 hours before swallowing the pills to end his life. "As depressing as the title may sound, this may well be the most positive and uplifting book teenagers or their parents could ever read." (So says Dr. Susan Crossman, Adolescent psychologist.) Once started, it is seldom put down until the last page has been finished. 145 pages 1994 ISBN: 1-885631-04-9
36 HOURS TO LIVE
By Craig FranklinThe diary of a teenage suicide!
Review by
Beth Pendergast
Mother, former teacherMy 13 year old son brought this book home from the school library. The title frightened me. I asked if I could look it over. "When I'm finished. I started it in study hall and I can't put it down." He took it into his room and didn't put it down until dawn the next morning.
To my knowledge, Sean had never before completed a non-required book in his dear young life! I had to find out what was so compelling about this one. After the children left for school the next morning, I settled into my favorite snuggling chair, armed myself with a cup of Mediteranean Mocha and began. I, too, had to read it from start to finish.
Surprisingly, it is a beautifully written, sensitive, honest look at one courageous teen boy's struggle to find the meaning of life. In the end it is a tribute to living. It underscores the preciousness of every moment we each have to live.
Some time ago we purchased our own copy and it gets read and re-read by all of us. We thank the thoughtful young man who wrote it for us back in the 1950s so, even today, we can grow from his experiences, questions and commentaries. We love you, Craig, wherever you may be. Just as you hoped, you have touched us across time.
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