William L. Coleman (1938–2015)

This book is for parents who want to know what will really count in the long term with their teenagers. Author William Coleman has talked with countless grown children who have detailed the attitudes and events which shaped their lives. And he's listened to his own three grown children. Combining heartwarming truth and practical insight, this book collects a treasury of wisdom that has proven effective in children's lives. Looking to the future when your own children are adults, you can incorporate this "hindsight" view into your child-rearing decisions now. And the results are for a lifetime!… (mere)

It has been said that the first fule of medicine is to do no harm. The first rule of communicating with teens is the same. There are all kinds of verbal pitfalls that can build roadblocks and prevent parents and teens from understanding each other. Author William Coleman provides parents with practical advice on how to better choose what to say, how to say it, when to say it, and more importantly, decide when to just listen. Despite communication frustrations, Coleman encourages parents to keep it up, realizing that talking does have an impact, even when it doesn't seem to be working. With both sincerity and humor, Coleman emphasizes that parents are engaged in an exciting exchange of ideas, values, hopes, and dreams with a young person who is searching for support, not condemnation. He helps parents provide their teens with the gift of a listening ear and the legacy of godly counsel.… (mere)