Fourteen Talks by Age Fourteen by Michelle Icard: The Essential Conversations You Need to Have with Your Kids Before They Start High School

Rodale Books. Paperback. NEW. Communicating with middle schoolers can be a challenging task for parents. It often feels like they don't want to listen or engage in conversation, and it can be tempting to avoid talking altogether. However, fostering open and effective communication with your child is crucial for their safety and preparation for the various challenges they will face during their tween and early teenage years. In her book, "Fourteen Talks by Age Fourteen," Michelle Icard, a renowned expert in working with families, offers invaluable advice on how to have essential conversations with your tween in order to prepare them for the emotional, physical, and social challenges they will encounter. She provides practical scripts and strategies to keep the lines of communication open and maintain a strong connection with your child during this critical developmental window. Icard emphasizes that the tween years, right up until high school, are the ideal time to have these conversations due to the rapid brain growth and emotional development occurring during this period. By addressing important topics such as friendship, sexuality, impulsivity, and technology, parents can equip their tweens with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate these complexities successfully. Additionally, Icard covers unexpected subjects like creativity, hygiene, money, privilege, and contributing to the family, recognizing that these aspects also play a significant role in their overall development. To ensure a successful approach to these essential talks, Icard introduces the BRIEF Model which consists of five steps: Begin peacefully, Relate to your child, Interview to collect information, Echo what you're hearing, and give Feedback. By following this model, parents can create a calm and open environment, establish a connection with their child, gather important information, validate their thoughts and feelings, and offer constructive feedback. Throughout the book, Icard addresses common hurdles that parents face when talking to tweens. She provides guidance on phrases that invite connection rather than irritating or scaring kids away. Furthermore, she offers insight into the ideal places, times, and situations to initiate these conversations, as well as strategies to maintain their interest, openness, and engagement. Icard also emphasizes the importance of concluding these talks in a way that leaves kids wanting more, thus nurturing ongoing communication. "Fourteen Talks by Age Fourteen" can be likened to a Rosetta Stone for deciphering the confounding language of tweens. It acts as an essential guide to help parents navigate these crucial conversations, ensuring their child's successful development through the emotional, physical, and social challenges that lie ahead. Icard's wit and compassion shine throughout the book, providing parents with a valuable resource to support their child's transition into the teenage years. In conclusion, effective communication with middle schoolers is vital for their safety and preparedness. Michelle Icard's book, "Fourteen Talks by Age Fourteen," offers a comprehensive guide for parents, equipping them with scripts, strategies, and advice to tackle important and complex topics. By employing the BRIEF Model and understanding the challenges and hurdles involved, parents can maintain a strong connection with their tween, fostering their overall development and setting them up for success in their teenage years.