On the tradition of Jay Haley's Leaving Home Dr. Sells provide observable,measurable and effective ways on how to parent troubled children/adolescents.

Nowadays there is too much rethoric in family therapy literature. Dr. Sells is an exemption.

I have used this book and Dr. Sells suggestions with parents for five years. This book explains how problems develop with teens, practical suggestions on how to stop the problems and the book also covers the topic on how to heal and improve the relationships between parents and teens that are out of control. Parents: It is best to read the entire book before you start enforcing contracts with the teens.

Your teen is living in a storm of hormones and temptations. You have to be the rock in the storm. I have read all the popular books on problem teens and this one is the best by far. His advice on how to handle the seven aces is practical and works! It was my favorite part as previously I had no idea what to do.

I did not do the contract. I made a list of rules and consequences if the rules were broken. Re other reviews, I don't think there is anything Gestapo-like about laying down some rules. You aren't going to live in harmony with anyone who thinks that friendships and immediate gratification are more important than family and school.

My advice is, take the bull by the horns and buy this book.

I was having great diffuculty with my teenage daughter and bought this on DR. Lauras recommendation. Although I read this book and tried the "I can control my kids with contracts" approach...it will not work w/ a hell bent teen. Scots approach seemed to have escalated my teens bad behavior. You may have to be separated from your teen, boarding school seems to be working just fine for us,(but thay do eventually come home) plus counseling and A LOT of reading. If you have a real problem child....dont waste you money on this book.
I would like to recommend a much better approach, a book by 2 doctors (with 5 kids of their own)which makes much more sense..."How to deal with your acting up teenager" by Robert and Jean Bayard (P.H.D's).

Parents may not agree with everything written in this book, although when it comes to building a stronger family bond, the author has made a valid point. As a parent, and as a counsellor, there were statements made here that I could not totally agree with. However, the author has made an obvious attempt to bridge the gap between teens and parents and any constructive advice that will help bring that relationship closer together and become more harmonious is worth reading.

I did not like the fact the author referred to difficult teens as "out-of-control." Technically, that may well be the case, but labelling does not help the situation. In retrospect, I have also come across many parents who are "totally out of control" and lack effective parenting skills. That can be a major reason why some teens rebel so strongly.

On the positive side, the author stresses the importance of listening to your teen and increasing the family bond. Teens need discipline, but we must also understand that this phase of life is just as trying for teens as it is for parents. Children often have a way of testing their limits and "jamming the buttons" until we actually believe we are losing our sanity. Parents should also bear in mind that while teens often rebel, those same limits and restrictions can make them feel loved and protected (although few teens would ever admit it.) Love, acceptance and understanding go a long way in building strong relationships. Strong communication is the key.

The author offers some good advice, but also some questionable advice in dealing with teenagers. I am all for the "tough love approach" when needed; however, there were times when the author's approach came across as using authority and control to the extreme, and that, too, can have a serious psychological impact on the teen in years to come. Teens are in a phase when many lack self-esteem and confidence in the first place. An overbearing "Gestapo attitude" can make problems far worse and result in a different set of problems in adult years. Readers may want to read the book and decide for themselves "where to draw the line."