Inside A Teenager's Mind

This book was recommended to me from a good friend in regards to understanding teenagers today.

Guest Pass: Access To Your Teen's World is written by Susan Oh Cha Ph.D., who is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Bay Area. She wrote this book with her daughter, Yumi Cha, who is a high schooler in the Bay Area. Both are Christians and Korean.

This book was written in a very creative user-friendly format. First, the author, Susan, takes a topic and addresses it through a 'parent's' point-of-view. Second, her daughter, Yumi, will address the same topic from a 'teenager's' point-of-view. Third, Dr. Cha, the author again, will address the same topic from a 'professional psychologist's' point of view. Last, Dr. Cha provides a "Reflection" page where you answer questions about yourself and your child in regards to the topic and what you just read. This way you can apply what you read immediately.

(Note that the teenagers viewpoint is from a survey they took from a group of actual teenagers. Didn't want you to think it's only from Yumi's viewpoint since some teens think differently.)

Topics include:
- Privacy and Exposure: Why are teens so concerned about privacy with their parents and yet broadcast their lives on social networks?
- Chatting about Nothing for Hours: What do teens 'chat' about, especially when parents are not around?
- Teen Troubles: What kinds of problems do teens usually experience?
- Dealing with Friends who are Suffering: How do teens usually cope with friends who are distressed?
- Expressing Individuality: What is the appeal of all the body 'art' including writings, piercings and tattoos?
- Dressing for Peer Success: Why are the bottoms so high and tops so low for girls? Why are the bottoms so low for boys?
- Making Choices: What makes a teen choose to lie, cheat, drink, use drugs and/or have sex?
- Planting Seeds: Do teens care about their parent's opinions?
- What Teens Want: Name three things teens want from parents.

All great topics to know about and understand. The book is an easy read and you can go through a chapter in a few minutes. The hard part is the actual application of it all. :)