You Don't Have to Learn Everything the Hard Way: What I Wish Someone Had Told Me

The day this book arrived I read it cover to cover in one night! Initially, I thought I would skim through a couple chapters that interested me most, rather than start at the beginning, but I found myself compelled to read the chapters I had originally glossed over. It took me a few hours, but I could not put it down.I love this book! It has solid advice for teens in a modern world, where so many unhealthy and confusing messages are bombarding our youth. It addresses a gamut of subjects, such as learning to take personal responsibility, dealing with challenges and failure, developing healthy friendships, and even identifying and avoiding sexual abuse, to name just a few topics. The book really shines in the way it presents the ideas. All chapters are short and readable; no long, wordy sections that strain ones attention. The warm tone which reads like an intimate conversation - this book does not lecture or instruct - is very appealing. I think it is a valuable guide not only for teens, but also for parents or mentors who are looking for a more effective way to communicate these messages to any young adult.

I've been buying lots of different self help books looking for things for my tween to read that will help develop social-emotional skills. I LOVE this book. It's full of heart and positive encouragement and great advice. I definitely recommend it. Just note it has discussion of sex, addiction, and abuse...which is not a problem, but parents should preview to see if those sections need to be read now or delayed. Right now we are dealing with friendship drama, so we're skipping those sections to better focus on the immediate need.

This book could be helpful to anyone, it has a lot of stuff that makes you have great value for life itself.

I am very grateful to Aunt Laya for writing this much needed book. It is practical, effective, sweet, and very readable. Do you have a teenager in the house? Know one? Ever met one? This is a must read for you and then I'm sure you will agree with me that you need to get it in every teenager's hand.I happen to have my Master's in Psychology and have read a lot of ineffective books in my life. THIS is not one of them. Why are you still reading this review? Go click on the purchase button! :) While you are at it, buy two as I know you will want to pass them on. Still reading this? You're NOT a contrarian are you? :) O.K., then I FORBId you to buy two of these books.I hope you enjoy Aunt Laya as much as I did.

Great read for teenagers! This really helped our child who’s struggling with mental health

Good read for an.... Teen, read with 12 yr old. Talks alot about self confidence and being ok with being you!

I love everything about this book--from the quotations sprinkled through each chapter to the upbeat message delivered by each chapter! Aunt Laya covers every possible issue and doesn't avoid the tough ones. This is a "Book of Wisdom" packed full of common sense and delivered with love. If I could give my tween and teen grandkids only one book, this would be the one! Highly Recommended!

I purchased this book for my teenage daughter, who like most teens don't want to listen to their parents as they think everyone else is so much cooler- she would say. Lovely. Anyway, this was a good solid insightful way for her to see, albeit from someone else, what I've been telling/advising her about and thus gives me some "cred". Amen!

Great book for a teenage. Recommended