Encouragement for parents

 

The familiar old quote from Mark Twain really sheds light on how so many view teenagers: "When a child turns 12 you should put him in a barrel, nail the lid down and feed him through a knot hole. When he turns 16, plug the hole!" Somehow, we've grown to view the teenage years as a test of parental endurance. Sure, it's a difficult period of life for teenagers and their parents. But that's no excuse for turning our back on our parenting responsibilities and, consequently, robbing our kids of the gift of positive input from dad and mom.

 

Over the years we've surveyed the deluge of parenting books, both Christian and secular, that continue to flood the market. Often we find them to be unrealistic, a bit misguided or perhaps far too hopeless. It's been quite some time since we've found a book on parenting teens that's worthy of an enthusiastic endorsement. Then we discovered Paul Tripp's Age of Opportunity: A Biblical Guide to Parenting Teens (P&R Publishing, 1997).

 

A counselor by profession, Tripp has combined his insights from years of counseling, his study of Scripture and his personal experience as a parent of teens in a book that won't leave readers feeling like they've failed miserably in their task as parents. Instead, Age of Opportunity is a breath of fresh air. Combining elements of hope, solid Biblical advice and extremely practical guidance, Tripp challenges readers to see the teen years as a period of opportunity, rather than a period of survival. At the beginning of the book he writes, "Something is inherently wrong with the cultural epidemic of fear and cynicism about our teenagers. Something is wrong when a parent's highest goal is survival. We need to take another look: Is this a Biblical view of this period of a child's life? Does this view lead to Biblical strategies or Biblical hope?" Throughout the rest of the book, Tripp offers penetrating and engaging insight into the adolescent years that will lead readers to his own conclusion: "It is a wonderful time."

 

It would be unfair not to mention one of this book's greatest strengths: it's marked by the author's deep sense of vulnerability and humility, qualities lacking in too many parenting books today. From his opening challenge, to his guidance on setting Godly goals, to his practical strategies for parenting teens, Paul Tripp has given parents a book they will identify with. This book will help you deepen communication, learn and grow with your teenagers.

 

What are our suggestions for using Age of Opportunity? First, we suggest parents get a copy and read it for themselves. Perhaps spouses can read it and discuss it together. Second, we highly recommend that all youth workers, whether they are parents themselves or not, read and study the book as a foundation for relating to the moms and dads of the students under their care. And finally, we recommend Age of Opportunity as the basis for a quarterly adult Sunday School class or small group discussion. A printed discussion guide and video segments are available through your local bookstore or directly from Resources for Changing Lives (800-318-2816).

 

Parenting teens is a privilege and a gift. This is one resource that will equip you to make the most of those teenage years!