Preparing for Adolescence

How to survive the coming years of change

Published by Gospel Light

By Dr James Dobson

Course Resources/Make-Up

Set of 8 audio cd’s – these contain information for parents on how to use the material in the family and 20 short sessions which cover the course.

Preparing for Adolescence Family Guide and Workbook – designed as a workbook for families who are listening to the cd’s (not in a group setting). Each session has pages to read from the Book Preparing for Adolescence, a page to read from the workbook and activities to do together.

Preparing for Adolescence – the book to read in short sections alongside the workbook (or these sections are covered in the cd’s)

Preparing for Adolescence Group Guide – for use in a group setting, this guide has leader’s session notes and worksheets for photocopying for the students

Staffing the Course

The course is primarily designed to be run at home in the family. For use in a group setting, leaders can use the Preparing for Adolescence Group Guide.

Course Participants

The course is designed for both parents and preadolescent teens to do together. The information is also valuable for guardians, foster parents, teachers – anyone who is involved in the lives of teenagers and wants to help them along the way

Aims of the Course

To prepare children and teens for adolescence.

To help parents work out just what to say and how to say it, as they help their preadolescent child navigate this part of their life.

To help summarise what preadolescent children need to know about self-esteem, peer pressure, sexual development, emotional growth, independence and how to have a solid relationship with God.

Overview of the Content

The cd sessions can be used by families at home, on a weekend away, or even on a car trip. Each cd can be listened to and then used with the workbook in its entirety, or can be split into 20 short 10-15 minute sections.

Topics
Session 1
Introduction – for parents only (all the other cd’s’s are for both parent and teen), this session explains how to use the course material; encourages parents to prepare their children for changes in their bodies, emotions and self-awareness; and explains the importance of the parent-child weekend away.

Session 2
Canyon of Inferiority – the journey from puberty to adulthood; feelings of inferiority regarding physical attributes, intelligence, money and status symbols; and how to develop self confidence

Session 3
Conformity in Adolescence – how to handle peer pressure and fears of rejection, failure and unpopularity.

Session 4
Explanation of Puberty – the physical and hormonal changes that teens experience, including a frank discussion of sexual intercourse, masturbation and abstinence before marriage.

Session 5
Meaning of Love – distinguishing real love from infatuation, sex outside marriage, marrying or staying single and misconceptions young people might have about love and marriage.

Session 6
Search for Identity – the intense emotions experienced during adolescence, conflicts between the generations and independence.

Session 7
Getting Real – four 16 year olds talk candidly with Dr Dobson about the problems faced by teenagers, including peer pressure, drugs, communication with parents, dating and image issues.

Session 8
Questions Teens Ask – for parents to listen to first, without teens. If parents think their teen is ready to hear this cd, they should have first listened to cd’s 2-7.

Topics in the Workbook  (if done as 20 short sessions)

Session 1             The good news and bad news about growing up

Session 2             Everybody gets put down sometime. Everybody!

Session 3             Looks aren’t’ everything – thank goodness!

Session 4             Sticks and stones hurt – and so do nicknames!

Session 5             Toss your inferiorities to Jesus!

Session 6             Where’s a friend when you need one?

Session 7             Is it ok to be like everybody else?

Session 8             It takes courage not to be a jellyfish!

Session 9             What time is it on your puberty clock?

Session 10           Sex is supposed to be a four-letter word: Pure

Session 11           What is this crazy thing called love?

Session 12           Puppy love only works for puppies

Session 13           Before you say “I do”

Session 14           The good news about saving yourself before marriage

Session 15           Adolescence has its ups and downs

Session 16           Where there’s God’s will, there’s a way

Session 17           Your parents brought you up, don’t let them down

Session 18           The R word

Session 19           There’s nobody quite like you

Session 20           Rejoice! You belong to God!

Format of a Typical Session

Parents work one on one with their child; siblings should have their own session.

Listen to the cd session or read the set pages in the book and then work through the exercises in the workbook

Options for using the material

Plan a weekend away. The course could be listened to in the car or at the retreat destination.

Meet once or twice a week and go through one or two of the short sessions

Run the course through a church youth group.

Costs

Cd 8 pack $54.99

Preparing for Adolescence book $15.00

Preparing for Adolescence Family Guide $24.95

Preparing for Adolescence Group Guide $24.95

Why use this Course?

This course allows a family to address adolescent issues in their own time and at their own speed. It could provide parents with an opportunity to grow closer while discussing issues and sharing experiences

The material is thorough and the topics are divided up for more flexibility.

The course is also useful for youth groups to use.

A biblical perspective is used in the sessions to back up the issues and values being talked about.