The narrative follows Ken Mellor's transformative journey toward spiritual awakening, which began with a profound experience at the age of 13. Through "Urban Mystic," he shares insights on how to find the transcendent in everyday life, blending meditation practices with personal anecdotes. The book offers readers a unique perspective on spirituality, encouraging them to explore their own paths to enlightenment amidst the complexities of modern living.
Shock, horror - teenagers actually want to be controlled and have their parents involved in their lives! According to parent educators Ken and Elizabeth Mellor, parents need to stay involved, not 'step back', as their children become teenagers - because teenagers in the early to middle teen years actually want ongoing guidance, despite appearances! As well as parental involvement, teenagers need attention to safety, clear expectations and limits, and for their parents to understand what is happening. Among the Mellors' other key points are: teenagers grow through six very different developmental stages that mirror earlier phases in their lives from infancy on; each stage requires specific responses from parents that rarely work for the other stages; teenagers need lots of time and attention in the early to middle years, particularly if they 'slip back' to more infantile behaviour; parents need to be aware of the more grown-up aspects of their teenagers' development so they can encourage this, even in the face of their children's emotional immaturity; parents and teachers need to read any signs of trouble in a teenager correctly - and the Mellors include a chart, the Rainbow Alert Scale, to help with this important task. The ideas and techniques in Teen Stages include many approaches from parents who raised their children successfully - approaches that have stood the test of time.
Focusing on practical parenting skills, this guide addresses various family dynamics and offers strategies for managing relationships between parents and children. It covers essential topics such as love, discipline, setting boundaries, and instilling values. The book delves into childhood stages and the impact of parental backgrounds on family interactions. Additionally, it provides insights on modeling behavior, trusting parental instincts, effective non-violent discipline, and achieving a work-life balance.