A good mom (book) is hard to find

November 25, 2006 10:14 AM

Help me find a good book on mother-teen-age daughter relationships for my wife.

My wife has been over the top in her recent frustration with our 12 year old daughters lack of focus and lack of an exercise program. She (my wife) has been angry and almost in tears for the past few days.

She went to a series of classes on helping adolescents make appropriate choices but the suggested approach doesn't seem to be working. I myself have a more laid back approach and think my wife would be happier if she relaxed and let our kid be a kid.

In any case, my wife would like suggestions on good books on mom-daughter relationships. She read the recent Deborah Tannen book (which she thought was adult oriented) and "Reviving Ophelia". Any other ideas?

posted by Xurando to human relations (5 comments total)

I'm Not Mad, I Just Hate You! by Roni Cohen-Sandler and Michelle Silver
posted by MsMolly at 11:19 AM on November 25, 2006

I just finished reading Queen Bee Moms and Kingpin Dads, the follow-up to Queen Bees and Wannabes (which I haven't read, but I saw "Mean Girls" so I get the idea). Very enlightening on the ways parents these days tend to want to over-control their children's lives. If your wife has self-awareness, she might see the value in your approach after reading it.
posted by Sweetie Darling at 11:36 AM on November 25, 2006

I don't have a daughter, but a friend of mine who does and who I respect very much wrt her relationship with her kids reccommends over and over "Parent-Teen Breakthrough: The Relationship Approach" by Mira Kirshenbaum.
posted by jvilter at 1:30 PM on November 25, 2006

An exercise program? At 12? Unless there's more to that story (like a medical condition requiring an exercise program), that sounds pretty controlling. 12 is a little young to be creating and sticking to an exercise program.

Books are fine, but maybe a little therapy?

If it's a book you must have, The Trouble With Perfect comes to mind.
posted by CoffeeCake at 2:37 PM on November 25, 2006

Hold Me Close, Let Me Go by Adair Lara
posted by radioamy at 12:29 AM on November 26, 2006