I have been in the adolescent whirlwind for about a year now. I purchased Dr Bradley's book a couple of weeks ago. Life is so much better for me because of this book. I am dealing with issues from rage to isolation and low self esteem. I have applied many of the principles and advise from the book, in particular allowing her to rage and answering calmly. This is new to me (not to rage back) but it has been very effective. I am working on gaining respect - my daughter constantly ridicules me, calls me names like Dork and Loser. She never curses but I fear that will be next if I don't get a grip on the situation and gain respect from her real soon....for now, I have started the book over from the beginning...

Wish me luck and any advise for bringing up her self worth and encouraging her to open up to her surroundings, rather than shutting down and "going inside herself" as her softball coach described her in the summer of 2002. My husband says she'll be fine until she loudly tells him to "shut up" and then he's ready to knock her upside her head.....