Chicken Little the Sky Isn't Falling: Raising Resilient Adolescents in the New Age of Anxiety

by Erica Komisar

Overview

This is a comprehensive guide for parents who want to raise emotionally healthy, resilient adolescents in a time of great stress when anxiety and mental health disorders are epidemic.

In these times of great stress for our kids, resilience is not a given. The epidemic of mental health disorders in adolescents has made parenting even more challenging, but parents can still have an enormous impact on the health and well-being of their child. This book offers parents the tools they need to navigate this tumultuous time of change and create a continuous deep connection with their child. With covered topics such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, behavioral issues, and addiction, parents will learn how they can recognize mental health disorders as well as obtain compassionate and practical advice on how to address these issues if they occur.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780757324000
Publisher:	Health Communications, Incorporated
Publication date:	11/02/2021
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	410,609
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Erica Komisar, is a clinical social worker, psychoanalyst, and parent guidance expert who has been in private practice in New York City for over 30 years. A graduate of Georgetown and Columbia Universities and The New York Freudian Society, Ms. Komisar is a psychological consultant bringing parenting workshops to clinics, schools, corporations, and childcare settings. She is a contributor to The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and The New York Daily News. She is also a Contributing Editor to The Institute for Family Studies and appears regularly on Fox and Friends and Fox 5 News. Erica is the author of Being There: Why Prioritizing Motherhood in the First Three Years Matters and Chicken Little the Sky Isn't Falling: Raising Resilient Adolescents in the New Age of Anxiety.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction 1

Chapter 1 The New Age of Anxiety 3

Chapter 2 Embracing Normal Adolescence: A Three-Phase Adventure 29

Chapter 3 Understanding the Adolescent Brain 53

Chapter 4 Gender and Sexual Identity 69

Chapter 5 Anxiety and Depression: They Can Happen to Anyone's Child 93

Chapter 6 ADHD, Learning Issues, and Social-Developmental Disorders 119

Chapter 7 Disordered Eating and Eating Disorders 137

Chapter 8 Drugs, Alcohol, and Vaping 161

Chapter 9 Technology, Social Media, Gaming, and Gambling 183

Chapter 10 Bullying and Social Media 199

Chapter 11 Look in the Mirror 221

Chapter 12 It's Never Too Late: Redefining Your Relationship and Repairing Old Hurts 239

Resources 247

Appendix: A Note About Psychiatric Medication 250

Notes 253

References 259

About the Author 275

Editorial Reviews

Chicken Little may be the most important resource for parents of kids struggling with anxiety and depression. While other books describe these illnesses, Erica shows us what to do. Brilliantly written and clear, she calms worried parents. If you are concerned about your kids at all, you must read this book.”

—Meg Meeker, MD, pediatrician, parenting expert, podcast host, and best-selling author of Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters

“Raising adolescents today is tougher than ever. With science, wisdom, and heart jumping out of every page, Chicken Little is the ‘owner’s manual’ parents can’t be without.”

—Randy Tobler, MD, ob/gyn and host of The Randy Tobler Radio Show

“Chicken Little, the Sky Isn’t Falling will help any parent navigate our anxious age. Everything seems to be stacked against the mental health of our children and teenagers. But, in reality, there is hope. Read this excellent book to learn what power you have as a parent to raise them to be resilient, happy, and free.”

—W. Bradford Wilcox, director of the National Marriage Project, senior fellow at the Institute for Family Studies, visiting scholar at The American Enterprise Institute

“Kids have more material advantages and less spiritual advantages than any previous generation. Erica helps parents navigate between these two poles. Her insights are both practical and inspiring. They very well might save your child, your marriage, and, at the very least, your sanity.”

—Dennis Prager, nationally syndicated radio talk show host, founder of Prager University, New York Times bestselling author

“Erica Komisar brings science, common sense, and humanity to bear on the question of how to raise children in our crazy time.”

—James Taranto, editor for The Wall Street Journal

“Erica Komisar’s highly readable overview of the challenges adolescents face in our modern world gives insight, encouragement, and hope to parents who struggle with their teens and young adult children. Her kind and gentle wisdom are palpable on each page and point families toward a plan for success.”

—Robert C. Hamilton, MD, pediatrician, podcast host, author of 7 Secrets of the Newborn

“Look no further! Erica has once again provided parents and educators with a vital playbook to help adolescents navigate the challenges of today’s world. If you have had difficulty communicating with or felt disconnected from the teens and pre-teens in your life, then this book is for you. Erica explores many important issues and offers realistic options for support.”

—Mary T. Cantwell, educator, learning issues specialist, founder of Enriched NYC

“Erica Komisar has vast experience with helping families navigate the ever constant and complex currents of life. She has a wonderful way of balancing kindness with pragmatism, providing what will no doubt be one of the most important resources for parenting.”

—Eric L. Motley, PhD, executive vice president and corporate secretary, The Aspen Institute

“Erica documents the science and the solutions needed for parents to help their adolescents overcome the unprecedented pressures they face today. What’s more is that her work is a necessary prescription for how to better shape public policy and schools and can reduce the many barriers to having healthy kids and families.”

—Jeanne Allen, founder and CEO, The Center for Education Reform

“If every parent put Erica’s gentle, apolitical, and commonsense guidance and education to use, America would be deluged with happy, healthy families. I cannot say enough about Erica’s work. Make it part of your parenting journey and you can’t go wrong.”

—Suzanne Venker, relationship and life coach, author, podcast host

“Many parents are confused and bewildered by what is happening in the lives of their teenagers. They want to help but feel utterly ill-equipped to do so. This book teaches parents that you can still make a difference and give your teen or young adult child a foundation of emotional security and stability that will help them weather the storms of adolescence. If you are a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle, pick up this book and use it as a compass to guide you through these challenging times.”

—Baroness Philippa Stroud, CEO of the Legatum Institute, co-founder of the Center for Social Justice, member of the House of Lords

“Erica Komisar is one of today’s most important, provocative, and commonsense voices on crucial issues of parenting and relationships. Her insights and arguments always deserve serious attention.”

—Michael Medved, syndicated talk radio host and New York Times bestselling author

From the Publisher