Book Review: Get Your Teenager Talking

Get Your Teenager Talking by Jonathan McKee is one of the finest examples of a book for parents and teens alike!  This book is a wonderful tool to guide you on methods and techniques to talk to your - or any - teen in a world where most don't have the time, energy or ability.  With this incredible book, a break-through will allow you to tackle handling conversations and break-down the wall to resistant or monotonous conversation.

The most vital message this book yielded for me was:  be original, be unique and don't fall into the cookie-cutter mold of conversation with your teen(s).  Don't access yes or no responses.  Actively seek communication by open ended questions, funny anecdotes and topics of interest.  Don't lecture - create dialogue! 

My mom used to say there are 2 sides to every story ...  the one you tell and the one you hear.   I put this to thought when reading this book as most kids will hear what you say, but maybe their thoughts, words or valued ideas are not the same as what you are thinking.  Hence, this book explores why the topics to get conversations going are relevant and valuable.  Such topics as "Do you think it's appropriate to text during a family meal?" or "If someone made a movie of your life, what actor/actress would play the role of you?" will give your teen something to think about and share with you through vivid conversation.  You never know, you might even learn something about your teen that you didn't know before!

Packed full of Springboard conversations - 180 of them to be exact - the topics are endless.  Each one of them is designed to make your teen think and respond.  Each springboard introduces a topic, so unique and thought-provoking
your teen won't be able to resist.  Even adult conversations for the tongue-tied or unsure can begin talking with these gems of topics.  Follow up questions, insights and quick additions round out the possibilities for conversational success! 

Who can benefit from this book?  Parents, teachers, camp counselors, church youth group leaders and more!

 *Disclaimer:  I received this book for an honest review from Bethany House, a division of the Baker Publishing Group and was not required to write a positive review.  Any reflection of such is my own
and this review is an honest reflection of such.