You can best parent this boy through his preadolescent and teenage years by continuing to show him love and appreciation -- focusing much more on his good points and accomplishments than on the behaviors, attitudes, opinions, dress styles, etc. that you disapprove of. Understanding what he is going through during this phenomenally intense period of his life will provide you with the ability to show him understanding and support. The best book I have read on parenting through these middle years is The Roller Coaster Years -- Raising Your Child Through the Maddening Yet Magical Middle School Years, by Gianetti and Sagarese.
Ten-Year-Old Is Unresponsive
Carleton Kendrick has been in private practice as a family therapist and has worked as a consultant for more than 20 years. He has conducted parenting seminars on topics ranging from how to discipline toddlers to how to stay connected with teenagers. Kendrick has appeared as an expert on national broadcast media such as CBS, Fox Television Network, Cable News Network, CNBC, PBS, and National Public Radio. In addition, he's been quoted in the New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe, USA Today, Reader's Digest, BusinessWeek, Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, and many other publications.
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