1-2-3 Magic Teen

Starred review from September 1, 2016

The esteemed Phelan (1-2-3 Magic) takes his 1-2-3 advice into the teen years, warning mom and dad that their job description is about to change. While appreciative that parents aren't fond of "the snub," Phelan argues that "our society has not yet found a way to deal with the fact that prolonged dependence is insulting to young people," resulting in teens who "will regularly feel irritation toward older folks and a sense of alienation from the society they are a part of." Phelan suggests that a worsening of adult-adolescent relationships increases the chances of kids getting hurt and asks parents to examine their own upbringings and remember as adults that rejection + risk = irritation + anger. VERDICT Few authors are as successful as Phelan and for good reason. His guidance is consistently sound, on target, and presented in an upbeat, practical way.

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