How to Hug a Porcupine: Negotiating the Prickly Points of the Tween Years

Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. “You never listen to me anymore. I hate my life!” Middle Schoolers: Hormonal, Disorganized, and Defiant
2. “You have no idea how much stress I’m under!” The Overwhelmed “Slacker”
3. “OKAY I get it! I’m not a baby anymore.” How To Break The Nagging Cycle And Turn Responsibility Over To Your Middle Schooler
4. “But everyone in my grade is doing it!” Peer pressure and Changing Values
5. “I’m going in my room and I’m never coming out!!” Dealing with Defiance
6. “Just let me finish this ‘level’, ok?” The Computer “Addiction”
7. “I can’t do it. I want you to help me!” Encouraging Self-Esteem and Independence
8. “I’m going out: see ya later!” The Push for Independence
9. “Why are we talking about this? I mean really, I just ate!” Talking about Sex, Drugs and Alcohol
10. “I hate her. She’s the worst sister in the whole world!” Sibling Rivalry: A New Level of Competition
11. “I’m so lucky that you’re my mom.” How a relationship approach affects life after Middle School
References
Index