No Longer Little - A Book Review for Parents of Tweens

Parenting during the ‘Tween years can be fun and frustrating, exciting and exhausting. The ages between 8-14 can be a difficult season in many ways for both child and parent so I am glad I had the opportunity to read and review the newest Great Waters Press book, No Longer Little: Parenting Tweens with Grace and Hope.

This brand new release is for parents of boys and girls ages 8-14. It’s really like no other parenting book I’ve read. When our oldest children were in those years between young childhood and the teen age years I remember how surprised I was that we were having battles over emotions and grown up attitudes, thing boomeranging right back to tantrums worthy of a two year old.

I remember feeling confused when my sweet young children were sometimes taking me on that emotional roller coaster ride. I wasn’t ready to face the fact that my preteen was growing up more quickly than I had prepared. No one had really prepared me for parenting through these years. There were plenty of books to tell me how to be the perfect mother in the first year of their life (HA!) and books on handling the challenges of toddlerhood. And then there were the books that told me all about how we should teach them about the scary stuff they’ll face during the teen years and then there are the dating and marriage resources. But those years between? It’s been like a no man’s zone. Until I read No Longer Little.

We’ve raised 8 children, our youngest at age 12 is right in the midst of all this growing up craziness. Finally, here is a book written by parents for parents, addressing these crazy years and giving us some straight talk full of hope and grace. I now have grandchildren entering the phase of life and so I can still apply the lessons I’m learning in this book on a personal level.

In their book, the Youngs address the science of hormones and body changes. They speak directly to you, the parent about how to help your child face and accept these things, helping them see that this is normal and good and the way God created their bodies. There are so many awkward things for children in these years. Their bodies and emotions change and grow at different rates, making them feel self-conscious. New desires are developing and they need help in understanding them and how to channel them. The authors talk us through these things.

Have you found yourself standing over your child as they work on school lessons they had mastered last week, only to find they seem to have no recollection today? Has their brain turned to mush? Or are they just being difficult and rebellious. In reading, I was encouraged and relieved to find out this is normal. There’s a lot going on in their brains and their bodies and they need some time and patience. I’m reminded to speak in such a way that bestows grace, and I’m given hope that we can get through this and still have relationship on the other side.

And there’s more. This not all about the physical growth and hormonal upheaval. It’s also about heart and attitude. These are the areas I find to be most important. Connecting with your child and helping them grow in a way that embodies The Golden Rule and helps them see the world does not and should not revolve around their own wishes and desires sets them up to be responsible, pleasant, productive adults.

I received an advance copy of this book, but I believe it is now available and you can check the Great Waters Press website for details on how to purchase. I highly recommend No Longer Little: Parenting Tweens with Grace and Hope to any and all parents and anyone who work with children. It provides encouragement, clarity and support as we work to guide our youth on the journey to adulthood. For help in the next stage of growing up you’ll find Hal and Melanie Young’s book Love, Honor, AND Virtue: Gaining or Regaining a Biblical Attitude Toward Sexuality is something you’ll want to check out as well – you can read my review for it here.