Connie Albers - Parenting Beyond the Rules: Raising Teens with Confidence and Joy

Connie Albers wisely recognizes that its relationships, not gimmicks or rules, that form the best bridge between you and your teenager. This book hands you what you most need: hopeful, practical ideas you can use this week to have the relationship with your child youve always wanted.

KARA POWELL, P H D, executive director of the Fuller Youth Institute and coauthor of Growing Young

Parenting is hard. Parenting teens in this culture can be downright overwhelming. Im grateful for wise guides like Connie Albers. Parenting beyond the Rules has a terrific mix of stories, down-to-earth practical advice, and tools for self-evaluation, all given without losing whats ultimately important.

JOHN STONESTREET, president of the Colson Center and coauthor of A Practical Guide to Culture

In a world where parents struggle to prioritize their families over many pressures, Connie Albers is a breath of fresh air. Parenting beyond the Rules is a must-read for every parent who desires a lifelong relationship with their child. Having raised her own five children to adulthood, Connie offers parents more than just anecdotal encouragement; she equips them to understand and engage with their teens every step of the way. The teen years can be some of the best years of parenting. Connie will show you how to get the most out of them.

HEIDI ST. JOHN, mother of seven, author of Becoming MomStrong, speaker, and founder of MomStrong International

As the father of four and an educator, I admire anyone who focuses time and energy on making life better for teens and their parents. Connie Albers has taken on the ever-challenging topic of parenting teens with experience, grace, and wisdom. Connie deeply understands that parenting moves from authority to influence, rooted in a relationship that must be intentionally nurtured. This volume is a wonderful contribution and is a must-read for any parent who wants more!

PAUL J. MAURER, P H D, president of Montreat College

Parenting beyond the Rules will inspire, encourage, and strengthen you. Connie beautifully illustrates her truths with relevant illustrations and stories. They make the book easy to read and help you understand why teens behave the way they doand how to best respond. Her ideas will help you stay connected to your teens as you prepare to launch them into the next phase of their lives. Thats a definite strength of this book. For example, her practical ideas about being aware and available so your teens will engage with you are excellent. Read this now!

KATHY KOCH, P H D, founder of Celebrate Kids and author of Start with the Heart

A needlepoint hung in our home during our childrens teenage years, reminding us that there are two gifts we should give our children: roots and wings. We want our children to know where home is and to always feel safe and comfortable there. But we also want them to know how to fly away and to exercise what theyve learned. Parenting beyond the Rules provides the principles for developing both roots and wings with grace and confidence. Connie Albers shares solid principles for raising healthy adults who will also rise up and call their parents blessed.

DAN MILLER, New York Times bestselling author of 48 Days to the Work You Love

I cant think of a better person to glean wisdom and practical advice from than Connie Albers. Her vulnerable stories from raising teenagers will encourage and inspire, showing you that youre not alone in the day-to-day struggles. Her wise words will give you hope, fill your heart with joy, and help you improve your relationship with your teen. I will reread this guide year after year as I walk through the teenage years with my four boys. Parenting beyond the Rules is a must-have for all parents of teens!

ERIN CHASE, author of The $5 Dinner Mom Cookbook

With vulnerability and sensitivity, Connie addresses the tough issues that parents and teens face together, with a focus on maintaining a loving and lasting relationship. Unlike many books that are limited to feelings and theory, Parenting beyond the Rules provides practical advice you can use every day.

SAM BLACK, a vice president at Covenant Eyes

Connie reminds us that the teen years arent something to simply be gotten through but rather an opportunity to deepen our relationships with our kids, even as we prepare for them to leave us. During what can be an isolating season of parenting, we need practical advice and comforting encouragement, and I found both generously offered in this book. I would love a pocket-size version to carry with me into every interaction with my teenagers!

VANESSA HUNT, coauthor of Life in Season: Celebrate the Moments That Fill Your Heart and Home

A voice of gentle authority and experience, Connie gives us the necessary, practical, and biblical brushstrokes for parents who haveor will haveteens in the home. She shows that the beautiful journey of parenting teens is in the everyday stuff, not just in the finished masterpiece once they are grown. Connie leads parents in understanding that our job is not just about a set of rules to follow but more about how to find assurance and delight in these few years left with the teens in our lives. I recommend this book to anyone struggling, anxious, or curious about how to navigate the teen years.

KRISTIN FUNSTON, author of More for Mom

Parenting beyond the Rules provides straightforward strategies for connecting to the heart of your child. Find encouragement to parent with intention and wisdom as you foster a lifelong relationship with your teen.

KATIE M. REID, MA, secondary education, mother to five and author of Made like Martha

My wife and I have spent significant time with Connies adult children. Theyve shared stories and thought processes of some meaningful decisions theyve made. One thing was clear: They had been parented for more than adhering to the rulesthey had been parented to act independently yet interdependently, to think creatively yet cooperatively, and to live boldly yet humbly. We are hoping some of it rubs off on our seven children and are grateful for the Alberses.

JASON C. DUKES, pastor and author of Live Sent and Inviting Along

Connie has packed a lifetime of wisdom and experience into Parenting beyond the Rules. Every parent will find golden nuggets of actionable intel from the front lines of parenting. Dont just read it... USE IT!

RICK GREEN, founder of Patriot Academy

Parenting during the teen years can be incredibly isolating; we navigate challenges while honoring our teenagers desire for privacy. You cant ask just anyone for advice anymore! Connie Albers has stepped into the gap. Her combination of wisdom and practical advice was exactly what I needed to read, and I found myself sighing in relief. Connie has been where I am, she understands what Im going through, and she offers guidance that makes sense.

DANA K. WHITE, author of Decluttering at the Speed of Life

Parenting beyond the Rules was a breath of fresh air to my soul. Connies approach to relationships with her children, connecting on a level beyond rules, was precisely the inspiration that I needed. With Connies heartfelt wisdom, I feel like I have a mentor that I can reference again and again as we walk through the teenage years with each of our children. Every parent should read Parenting beyond the Rules