What to Say and How to Say It to Your Teen: A Parent’s Guide to 30 Tricky Conversations

Navigating the Teen Years One Essential Conversation at a Time

- Equips parents with the grace and biblical tools they need to handle tough questions and awkward conversations
- Encourages parents and teens to maintain open communication and not shy away from hard topics
- Helps build trust that lasts a lifetime


There are things we absolutely need to talk to our teens about, but what we say, how we say it, and when we say it make all the difference between helping them embrace truth and become the person God designed them to be--or driving them away. Will they listen? How will they take it? These are legitimate worries that can keep us from saying anything--or have us second-guessing everything we did say.

What to Say and How to Say It to Your Teen is your field manual to clear, compassionate communication with the son or daughter who no longer thinks you have all the answers--even though they have more questions than ever, like
- Why can’t I have my phone in my room at night?
- Why do I have to go to church?
- How can God allow bad things to happen?
- What can I do about the anxiety or depression I’m feeling?
- Why can’t I just date for fun?
- Why do I have to get a job?
- Why does it matter who I hang out with?

From shifting views on gender to questioning faith to struggling with honesty or respect or porn, the teen years are tough. They’re also some of the most important years for you to offer guidance. This book will help you handle 30 of the trickiest conversations you need to have with your teen.

Tim Shoemaker is the author of more than 25 books and is a popular speaker at conferences and schools around the country. He is a regular contributor to Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse and Clubhouse Jr. magazines. Happily married for more than 40 years, Tim lives in Illinois and still loves working with youth.
Mark Shoemaker is a Moody Bible Institute and Seminary graduate, has served as an adjunct professor, and has been a youth and family pastor since 2011. Happily married for over 15 years, Mark oversees youth and college ministries at The Bridge Community Church in Illinois.