Book Review
Short Summary
“This is So Awkward” by Cara Natterson and Vanessa Kroll Bennett is a reliable and relatable guide for parents about the modern adolescent experience. Written by experienced parents, a pediatrician, and puberty educators, this is a modern, up-to-date handbook. It was published in 2023.
What This Book Is About
Drawing from extensive experience and contemporary research, this book provides:
- Pointed advice about how to talk to kids about almost anything: acne, body odor, growth spurts, eating disorders, mood swings, sexuality, and more.
- Science-based explanations for all of puberty’s physical, emotional, and social changes, including the many ways hormones affect kids both above and below the neck.
- What adults need to know about today’s teen culture: their mental health drivers, the un-gendering of body image issues, the ways they think about sexual orientation, and more.
- Invaluable commentary straight from young adults just out the other side of adolescence that highlights what they wish the adults in their lives had known or done differently.
Reflection and Comments
Puberty has changed significantly since the time adults experienced it, starting earlier and extending through high school and beyond. Our children face additional complex issues, such as social media, accessible pornography, gender identities, and potent drugs. Discussing these matters may feel awkward, much like puberty, but it’s essential for the well-being, success, and safety of today’s kids.
Buy a Copy of This Book
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