Jessica L. Peck - Behind Closed Doors: a Guide to Help Parents and Teens Navigate Through Lifes Toughest Issues

PRAISE FOR BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

Teenagers today face a minefield of challenges to traverseDr. Peck isnt afraid to tackle them. She pulls from decades of experience and research to offer valuable tips and reflections for parents on even the most sensitive and unfamiliar topics. Dr. Peck restores hope that, by Gods grace, parents can raise resilient teenagers who are equipped to navigate the world we live in.

Linda A. Livingstone Ph.D., Baylor University President

This book is a gift for learning how to live with and love your children and yourself. The secrets behind closed doors are illuminated and revealed as case studies show actual work and healing can occur in a family system. Listening, music, prayer, faith, and legacy letters are tools of regeneration for the teens and family. This book is a lifeline to those who may not even know they are drowning.

Beverly Malone PhD, RN, FAAN, President and CEO, National League for Nursing

Behind Closed Doors is a must read for everyone preparing for or currently navigating parenting teenagers. Jessica brings the knowledge and experience of a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and the heart of a parent to real issues every 21st century family faces. As both a parent and a pastor, I recommend this book to you highly.

Brian Haynes, Lead Pastor, Bay Area Church and Christian School

Dr. Pecks gracious authenticity and her medical credentials come through in every letter, every word, every topic, every practical suggestion, and every role play opportunity provided in this very practical book. As one who has served broken-hearted parents as well as young people who doubted that any adult was on their side, I see the potential of this book to prevent mistakes with vulnerable, yet courageous parenting. Each one of my adult children will receive this in their Christmas stocking as well as many other friends and family I love who are in the throes of raising their children. It is essential and well-timed for a generation growing up in an era so very different from the one even very young parents experienced as adolescents.

Kerri Taylor, Executive Director, Unbound Now Houston

With the rising numbers of mental health struggles among kids and teens, Behind Closed Doors equips parents to understand their childs culture and gives them words to begin significant conversations along with providing encouragement and hope. As a professional counselor of twenty-five years and previous school counselor, Im excited to recommend this faith-based resource to clients at our counseling center.

Michelle Nietert, M.A., LPC-S, Author of Loved and Cherished and Make Up Your Mind, Host of the Raising Mentally Healthy Kids podcast

Jessicas heart for teens shines through in her gentle, direct approach. Behind Closed Doors offers the necessary language, steps, and understanding to the challenges teens face every day and how we as adults can provide guidance and support that will lead to a healthier lifestylementally, physically, and relationally.

Torrie Sorgie, Motivational Speaker, Writer

Behind Closed Doors is a priceless guide. Dr. Peck illuminates the critical challenges youth today are facing and provides a comprehensive how-to-guide for meeting our children where they are on topics ranging from pornography to social justice. This book is an investment you will not regret, and its impact will echo.

Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, APRN, Assistant Professor, Duke University School of Medicine

The information in this book has been carefully researched by the author and is intended to be a source of information only. Readers are urged to consult with their physicians or other professionals to address specific medical or other issues. The author and the publisher assume no responsibility for any injuries suffered or damages incurred during or as a result of the use or application of the information contained herein.

Behind Closed Doors

2022 Jessica L. Peck

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or otherexcept for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by W Publishing, an imprint of Thomas Nelson.

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Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.Zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

Any internet addresses, phone numbers, or company or product information printed in this book are offered as a resource and are not intended in any way to be or to imply an endorsement by Thomas Nelson, nor does Thomas Nelson vouch for the existence, content, or services of these sites, phone numbers, companies, or products beyond the life of this book.

ISBN 978-0-7852-9200-5 (audiobook)

ISBN 978-0-7852-9199-2 (eBook)

ISBN 978-0-7852-9198-5 (TP)

Epub Edition August 2022 9780785291992

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022932758

Printed in the United States of America

2223242526LSC10987654321

Information about External Hyperlinks in this ebook

Please note that the endnotes in this ebook may contain hyperlinks to external websites as part of bibliographic citations. These hyperlinks have not been activated by the publisher, who cannot verify the accuracy of these links beyond the date of publication

With great admiration, appreciation, and affection I dedicate this book to my four children. They embrace our family mantra of to whom much is given, much is required. They are an integral supportive force in this book journey. They make hospital rounds with me on Christmas Eve. They wait in hospitals and clinics for me to finish seeing patients with my pleading five more minutes. Every summer when I was a camp nurse, they brought me lonely or hurting kids, saying confidently, My mom will help you. They wait patiently and quietly through hundreds of hours of phone calls and meetingsat home, in the car, at the ballpark. They are examined by countless students as pretend patients for practice. They let students give them shots. They travel with me, joining me for dinner to share their adventures of the day. They are a practice audience for speeches. They see the recording sign in my office and tiptoe around like church mice until given the all clear. They hear more lectures on pediatric health than any kid should ever endure. They sit through painfully boring ceremonies. They edit the stories I write. They educate me on the latest teen trends. They serve as photographers and social media managers. They clap and cheer when I speak at their school or in our community. They accept my talking about embarrassing subjects in public forums and even thank me for having the courage to do it. Because of my work, they know the world is a scary place. But they also know there is hope and light in the world and how to share it. They know Gods mercies are new every morning. They are the inspiration behind everything I have done or will ever do. You are loved beyond measure and have filled my heart with greater joy.

To my dearest husband, most faithful companion, most dedicated supporter, most fervent champion, and most cherished friend, thank you for bearing all things, believing all things, hoping all things, and enduring all things. You are a treasure. May our familys journey reflect the love, healing, restoration, and freedom found in the love of God.