Your Teenager Is Not Crazy: Understanding Your Teen's Brain Can Make You a Better Parent

As God allows us to understand the mystery and marvel of brain science, we have the exciting opportunity to reexamine our assumptions about human behavior. Perhaps nowhere does this impact our lives more profoundly than when we think about raising children--especially teenagers. Where parents often see a sweet boy or girl who has morphed into an incomprehensible bundle of hormones and angst, what we really ought to be seeing is an amazing young adult whose brain is under heavy construction. And changing the way we see our teens will revolutionize our relationships with them.Organized by what we hear teens say--things like I'm bored, You just don't understand, Why are you freaking out?, I hate my life!, or Hold on . . . I just have to send this--this book helps parents develop compassion for their teens and discernment in parenting them as their brains are progressively remodeled. Rather than seeing the teen years as a time to simply hold on for dear life, Dr. Jeramy and Jerusha Clark show that they can be an amazing season of cultivating creativity, self-awareness, and passion for the things that really matter.From the Back CoverTurn the most frustrating parenting years into the most fruitfulThe teenage years. These three words can incite panic in many of us. Will our sweet boy or girl morph into an incomprehensible bundle of hormones and angst? Is trouble inevitable during the adolescent years? What should we expect as our kids grow? According to the latest research, we can anticipate amazing things! To move from panic to peace, however, we need a change of perspective. As we begin to understand the widespread construction taking place in the teenage brain, we can see and relate to our teen in wonderful new ways.Conveniently organized by what your teen says--things like I'm bored, You just don't understand, Why are you freaking out?, I hate my life, or Hold on, I just have to send this--this book will help you develop a deep compassion for your teen. Rather than seeing the teen years as a time to simply hold on for dear life, Dr. Jeramy and Jerusha Clark show that adolescence can be an amazing season of cultivating creativity, self-awareness, and passion for the things that really matter."By bringing together scientific research, compelling stories, practical advice, and spiritual principles, the Clarks equip, encourage, and empower parents to compassionately and wisely navigate their children's adolescent years."--Daniel G. Amen, MD, bestselling author of Change Your Brain, Change Your Life and coauthor of The Daniel Plan"Your Teenager Is Not Crazy will not only give you confidence and compassion for teens but equip you with practical steps as well. This is a book every parent needs to read."--Sean McDowell, PhD, professor, Biola University; internationally acclaimed speaker; bestselling author of A New Kind of Apologist"The Clarks offer us a book that embraces a 'teenagers are a wonder to behold' viewpoint. That makes all the difference in the world and is--I would suggest--the most important perspective needed for effective parenting."--Mark Oestreicher, partner, The Youth Cartel; author of A Parent's Guide to Understanding Teenage BrainsDr. Jeramy Clark (MDiv, DMin, Talbot Theological Seminary) served as a youth pastor for seventeen years before becoming the pastor of discipleship at Emmanuel Faith Community Church. Jerusha Clark is an active writer and speaker. Her books include Every Thought Captive, The Life You Crave, and When I Get Married. The Clarks are also the bestselling coauthors of several books and the parents of two teenagers.About the AuthorJerusha Clark is the author or coauthor of several books on spiritual growth, women's issues, marriage, and mental health, including the bestselling Every Thought Captive, and Your Teenager Is Not Crazy (coauthored with her husband, Dr. Jeramy Clark). She also enjoys teaching at churches, retreats, schools, and conferences. She