Written by a counselor and social worker who has cared for almost 400 teenagers as a professional foster parent, this book is a goldmine of answers, advice and insight into tackling bad behaviour in good teenage kids.

Written with wit and wisdom, this book is a pleasure to read, with engaging examples of bad behaviour, mixed with poignant recollections of how serious the consequences can be. 

Whether your good kid is already worrying you with bad behaviour, defying you with a boyfriend you can’t stand, has gotten in trouble with the law, you’re worried about substance abuse, or they’re driving you mad with back-talk, ‘When Good Kids Do Bad Things’ offers you concrete tools, a solid grasp on the warning signs, and a great read that lets you know you’re far from alone and help is available.

‘When Good Kids Do Bad Things’ explains Katherine Gordy Levine’s well thought out, and tried and tested, Caring Response, a method of communication, negotiating, discussing and setting rules with love and care. 

The full gamut of potential worries over the teenage years is covered including:

Communication skills

Back-talk

Defiance

Negotiating and maintaining rules

Clothing choices (like nose rings, tattoos and bikinis)

Worries over friend choices

Success in school

Lying

Dare devil and dangerous behaviour

Defining boundaries about sexual activity

Talking to your teenager about sex

The runaway teenager

Crime

Substance abuse

Moodiness

Depression

Understanding warning signs

Katherine G Levine’s Caring Response

Katherine G Levine’s Caring Intervention

How and when to get professional help

Self care

An extensive list of useful contacts

A fabulous list of recommended further reading

This book is excellent as a “cover to cover” read on parenting techniques, and a well organized resource that you’ll find yourself dipping into as new situations arise.