Categories: uncategorized
Date: 28 March 2007 19:09:02
This weeks commuter read is The Five Love Languages of Teenagers by Gary Chapman. Whilst I am very greatful to the individual who thrust this book into my hand on Sunday morning at church, (quickly,in a plain envelope and without comment - much as I imagine one would pass illegal or immoral material) I am yet to be convinced by this book.
It seems to be talking some sense and addressing much of the **** that we are currently going through, reassuring me that all of this - however painful - is normal. However, it also has that smug sense of psychobabble about it, using cheesy terms to make you feel inadequate and encouraging you to speak to your teenager in a way which I don't believe even "nice middle-class suburban US parents of the matching sweater variety", (whom this book seems aimed at), would speak in. For me part of the problem is when he keeps going on about "empty love tanks" & the like and encouraging people to behave in ways which are so wholesome they would make the Waltons seem dysfunctional.
That said it is not all bad. Third Party did agree to take "the test" in the back of the book last night and so I have established either (i) her primary love language is gifts or (ii) she is a completely spoilt brat who is way too materialistic in her outlook.
There are some positive points I'm picking up from the book, but again to be honest these are the common sense things. Find me one parent who isn't aware of the fact they need to make more time for their kids or that teenagers are different to children and need to be handled as such.
What I want is a nice, earthy English book that doesn't give me cliches and common sense, but real advice on everyday living with Kevin's female alter ego and preferably a magic wand so I can just fast forward five years.