Book Review: Get Your Teenager Talking

Are you and your favorite teenager having too many conversations like this?

"How was school?"
"Fine."
"Soccer practice?"
"Same as always."
"Anything interesting happen today?"
"Nope."
"Nice talking with you!"
Let's face it. Teenagers have a PhD in one-word answers . . . if we don't ask the right questions. 

In this book, veteran youth expert Jonathan McKee shares 180 creative discussion starters to help teens open up about issues that matter. You'll also find tips for interpreting their responses and follow-up questions. From light-hearted to more serious, these conversation springboards will encourage even the most reluctant teen to talk about friends, school, values, struggles, and much more.

My Reflections:

This is a short easy to read digest book. It boasts discussion starters for you to use with your teen, in an easy to follow format. It does all this without sounding canned or overly preachy. I was drawn to this book after a particularly difficult day with my fourteen year old. The uh hu, nope and i don't knows was enough to send a sane parent running. 

This book includes tips to get your child talking, 180 conversation starters, follow up questions and a conversation springboard section. I especially liked the quick additions section where a bible passage was listed and sample questions followed. Makes it easy to converse without all the effort. 

This no nonsense book is written for the public school child, I say this because as a homeschooling mom a lot of the book simply did not apply to our family. I am with my kids pretty much 24/7 so knowing what his favorite lunch to pack is a easy answer as I am at home and see what he likes and dislikes for lunch every day. That being said I found the "conversation springboard" sections extremely useful. I often struggle to come up with new and engaging topics, this will certainly come in handy in the months to come! 
I would recommend this book to any mom looking for tips on engaging your teen or pre teen in meaningful conversation.

I received this book free of charge from Bethany House Publishers in return for my honest review. Thank you Bethany House!

About the Author:

Jonathan McKee

Jonathan McKee is an expert on youth culture and the author of more than a dozen books, including The Guy's Guide to God, Girls, and the Phone in Your Pocket and The Zombie Apocalypse Survival Guide for Teenagers. He has twenty years of...

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