The Parent Compass

Bragging rights and bumper stickers are some of the social forces fueling today’s parenting behavior—and, as a result, even well-intentioned parents are behaving badly. Many parents don’t know how best to support their teens, especially when everyone around them seems to be frantically tutoring, managing, and helicoptering. The Parent Compass provides guidance on what parents’ roles should be in supporting their teens’ mental health as they traverse the maze of the adolescent years. For anyone daunted by the unique challenge of parenting well in this pressure-laden and uncertain era, The Parent Compass offers:

• Advice on fostering grit and resilience in your teen 
• Strategies to help your teen approach life with purpose
• Guidance on how to preserve your relationship with your teen while navigating a competitive academic environment
• Clear explanations of your appropriate role in the college admission process
• Effective ways to approach technology use in your home, and much more!

Using The Parent Compass to navigate the adolescent years will help you parent with confidence and intention, allowing you to forge a trusting, positive relationship with your teen. 

Cynthia Clumeck Muchnick, MA, is a graduate of Stanford University and has been working in education for the past 25+ years as a former Assistant Director of College Admission, high school teacher, educational consultant, and author of five other education-related books. She speaks professionally to parents, students, teachers, and businesses on topics such as study skills, the adolescent journey, college admission, and now the parent compass movement.

Jenn Curtis, MSW, earned a BA from UCLA and MSW from USC and is an educational consultant and professional speaker. As owner of FutureWise Consulting, she has worked with hundreds of students on every aspect of the college admission process. She is particularly passionate about empowering teens to approach life with intention and educating parents about using their parent compass. 

Foreword by Denise Pope
Introduction/Preface

PART 1: PARENTS, GET CONTROL OF YOURSELVES

Chapter 1: What is Parentiquette: Parenting Etiquette? 

Chapter 2: Get to Know Yourself First

Self-Assessment quiz/worksheet

Chapter 3: Technology in the Teen and Adult World


PART 2: USING PARENTING ETIQUETTE AS YOUR COMPASS TO HELP YOUR TEEN NAVIGATE ACADEMICS AND ACTIVITIES

Chapter 4: Help Your Child Pursue or Try on Passion: Academic and Extracurricular

Chapter 5: Inside the Classroom

Chapter 6: Outside the Classroom  - Academic and Social 

Chapter 7: Extracurricular Activities - Sports, Clubs, Jobs, Arts, Volunteerism, and Pure Recreation/Free Time

Chapter 8 : Approaching the College Application Process While Practicing Parenting Etiquette

Chapter 9: Alternative Routes Instead of College


PART 3: USING PARENTING ETIQUETTE AS YOUR COMPASS TO HELP YOUR TEEN NAVIGATE EMOTIONAL HEALTH

Chapter 10: Foster a Goal-Oriented Mindset

Chapter 11: Praise Effort Rather than Outcome

Chapter 12: Avoid Rankings and Watch Your Messaging

Chapter 13: Wage the Battle Against Cognitive Distortions

APPENDICES: HELPFUL RESOURCES AND REFERENCES

Appendix A: Resources

Acknowledgments
 
Bibliography