Your Defiant Teen

“The authors have much experience in dealing with oppositional and defiant teens. They included in this self-help book many practical and useful hints, ideas, and strategies that many parents may find helpful. Discriminating which level and sort of problems may need professional help and which can be tackled by simply using this book is a plus….This book can be recommended to parents who are struggling with their children’s adolescence. It does contain proven strategies and develops them in a logical and appropriate presentation….This book can be a positive adjunct to therapists working with this population by providing parents an additional resource to consult between therapy sessions.”

—Child and Family Behavior Therapy


“[This] comprehensive defiance-busting system helps parents define and assess the problem....Without placing blame, the authors reveal that parents often unwittingly make a bad situation worse; the text gives solid tips on how to work toward a positive outcome and offers a variety of scenarios, demonstrating precisely how a parent's words and actions can be the source of a teen's compliant or defiant response. In the end, the authors offer a useful and detailed approach that respects the rights and expectations of parents and teens.”

—Publishers Weekly (on the first edition)


“Extremely thorough and readable....Much more detailed and parent-oriented than [others], this will be...much in demand. This book is written for parents seeking relief from the stress of living with an arrogant, aggressive, or noncompliant son or daughter....Parents learn how to insist that their kids exhibit appropriate behavior for family life, school, and work.”

—Library Journal (on the first edition)


“A practical missive to parents confronting defiance....Your Defiant Teen delivers on its promise. It is a directive book that encourages parents to take back authority while simultaneously respecting the magic process of burgeoning independence....The examples are diverse and inclusive as they span the teen years. The problem behaviors vary from sneaking time on the Internet to covert midday romantic encounters at the expense of regular school attendance. These descriptions seem empowering for parents because they help define the problem and help parents feel less isolated in dealing with the difficult teen....Your Defiant Teen is an empathy-building, empowering, and practical book. It is a wonderful tool for highly motivated parents looking to master techniques for dealing with defiance....The sections of the book that help build insight into defiance as the task of adolescence and frame general healthy interactions could be helpful to all types of parents dealing with defiance. Defiance is a tough foe, and this book should be a real help to parents struggling to put defiance in its place.”

—Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (on the first edition)


“This practical guide provides a tool for parents to nurture teens through this difficult stage of development with compassion, consistency, and structure....The book's style is consistently instructive, and as a parent of a teenager, I was able to relate to the realistic examples presented....As both a parent of a teenaged child and an advocate of positive behavior management, I find this book to be an invaluable resource by which parents can resolve and work through the difficult and often devastating issue of teen defiance. The book and its program offer the possibility of change for both parents and teens, as well as hope for families in distress. The book is not only informative but enjoyable, and I believe that any family with a teenaged child would benefit from reading and applying the ideas it promotes.”

—Journal of Child and Family Studies (on the first edition)


“Barkley and Robin provide a systematic and well-organized approach for caregivers to develop the tools and techniques with which to manage defiant behavior in teenagers by first understanding what it is and realizing some of the contributing factors resulting in maladaptive negative behavior patterns. The ultimate payoff after immersing oneself in their 10-step program is living more harmoniously with your teenager as they assert their growing independence.”

—Journal of Development and Behavioral Pediatrics (on the first edition)


“The transition from adolescence to adulthood can be tough as teens attempt to assert their independence. Now in an updated second edition, this is a very welcome, current resource that helps you guide your teen through difficult times. Your Defiant Teen has been—and will continue to be—the first book I recommend to parents struggling with challenging teens.”

—Sam Goldstein, PhD, coauthor of Angry Children, Worried Parents


“Since the first edition of this book was published, growing evidence shows that the authors' program works. The second edition incorporates lessons learned from continuing research while maintaining the practical, warm, and supportive approach. Without placing blame, the authors help you understand your teen's behavior and explain 10 clear steps for creating positive change by improving the ways you interact.”

—Torrey A. Creed, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania


“Here it is—a book that provides insights into your teen's behavior and a game plan for addressing it! This step-by-step guide can produce a stunning turnaround by helping you focus on the positive and strike that necessary balance between monitoring your teen and fostering independence.”

—Sharon K. Weiss, MEd, coauthor of From Chaos to Calm: Effective Parenting of Challenging Children with ADHD and Other Behavioral Problems