No Longer Little: Parenting Tweens with Grace and Hope - (Book Review)

Today I'll be sharing my review of No Longer Little: Parenting Tweens with Grace and Hope from Great Waters Press. The authors, Hal and Melanie Young, are two of my favorites when it comes to parenting books, so I was really excited about this book.

In every new stage of parenting, you stand there with a deer in the headlights look wondering if this is only happening with your kid...or maybe that's just me?    Anyway, the Young's are great about shedding light on these areas, letting us know it's not just us, and subsequently that they were also caught off guard at times.   It makes me feel better to know that I'm not the only one who wasn't prepared for a lot of these changes.

This book contains a total of twelve (12) chapters covering topics from hormones and body changes, sudden changes in academic ability, conflicts at home with siblings and the dreaded sexuality and virtue.   I had to laugh out loud at the title of chapter 3 "Brains Turn to Mush", because I've actually said that in reference to one of my kids "it's like her brain has just turned to mush", and I've taken solace in the fact that this is apparently a passing stage and there will be great academic progress again one day.  (Soon, please let it be soon!)

The authors are very good about sharing from their own family experiences without making their kids appear to walk on water or look like reform school is in their future.   It's refreshing to read that they aren't perfect, but those imperfections don't mean they are failures.

As parents, we often feel clueless (again, maybe it's just ME??) as we navigate the waters of tweens, teens and beyond.   No Longer Little: Parenting Tweens with Grace and Hope gives you clear insight, Godly wisdom and hope that this too really shall pass.   Don't get me wrong, my kids are doing ok, but there are times I look at them and think  "Are you IN there??"

One suggestion that the Young's offer, and I really like, is that you have a celebration for your 12 or 13 year old (or it can be later if you missed that time frame).  The celebration acknowledges that you know they are growing up, that they've reached a milestone.   The suggestion is that you have some insightful people (grandparents, siblings, youth leader for examples) speak at the event and impart some wisdom and share some vision from their perspective.    All of this of course is done around food and fun, and can be as elaborate or simple as you choose.

Parenting isn't always easy, however it goes a lot more smoothly when we can learn from others.   Like the old saying"Learn from other people's mistakes, you don't have time to make them all yourself."    Granted all kids are different, and there are times that they don't fit the mold, however this book contains some pretty general guidelines that can make this time easier for you and your tween.

For more reviews of this product, click here.