Parenting beyond the Rules: Raising Teens with Confidence and Joy

Parenting teens is one of the most challenging seasons of parenting, isn’t it? While this can be a difficult time of transition for parents and teens, there is hope. You can parent well and build a stronger relationship even through the teen years.After 30 years of parenting five children and 20 years of working with teens, Connie Albers has witnessed the negative impact of well-intentioned but misguided parenting styles, all focused on managing teens rather than guiding them. But through learning to focus on the hearts of your teens, you can avoid those pitfalls and build relationships that last beyond the transition years as you intentionally learn about, connect with, and listen to your teens. In a world filled with distractions and devices, it is possible to guide their hearts and remain the primary influence in their lives. In Parenting beyond the Rules, you will discover how to raise a teen according to his or her strengths, talents, and personality type, as these things equip teens to manage life.Join Connie Albers in discovering practical solutions for every parent trying to raise a responsible, godly teenager.ReviewConnie Albers wisely recognizes that it’s relationships, not gimmicks or rules, that form the best bridge between you and your teenager. This book hands you what you most need: hopeful, practical ideas you can use this week to have the relationship with your child you’ve always wanted. Kara Powell, PhD, executive director of the Fuller Youth InstituteParenting is hard. Parenting teens in this culture can be downright overwhelming. I’m grateful for wise guides like Connie Albers. Parenting beyond the Rules has a terrific mix of stories, down-to-earth practical advice, and tools for self-evaluation, all given without losing what’s ultimately important. John Stonestreet, president of the Colson CenterIn a world where parents struggle to prioritize their families over many pressures, Connie Albers is a breath of fresh air. Parenting beyond the Rules is a must-read for every parent who desires a lifelong relationship with their child. Having raised her own five children to adulthood, Connie offers parents more than just anecdotal encouragement; she equips them to understand and engage with their teens every step of the way. The teen years can be some of the best years of parenting. Connie will show you how to get the most out of them. Heidi St. John, mother of seven, author of Becoming MomStrong, speaker, and founder of MomStrong InternationalAs the father of four and an educator, I admire anyone who focuses time and energy on making life better for teens and their parents. Connie Albers has taken on the ever-challenging topic of parenting teens with experience, grace, and wisdom. Connie deeply understands that parenting moves from authority to influence, rooted in a relationship that must be intentionally nurtured. This volume is a wonderful contribution and is a must-read for any parent who wants more! Paul J. Maurer, PhD, president of Montreat CollegeParenting beyond the Rules will inspire, encourage, and strengthen you. Connie beautifully illustrates her truths with relevant illustrations and stories. They make the book easy to read and help you understand why teens behave the way they do?and how to best respond. Her ideas will help you stay connected to your teens as you prepare to launch them into the next phase of their lives. That’s a definite strength of this book. For example, her practical ideas about being aware and available so your teens will engage with you are excellent. Read this now! Kathy Koch, PhD, founder of Celebrate KidsA needlepoint hung in our home during our children’s teenage years, reminding us that there are two gifts we should give our children: roots and wings. We want our children to know where home is and to always feel safe and comfortable there. But we also want them to know how to fly away and to exercise what they’ve learned. Parenting b