Click Here To Purchase From Amazon What Your Mother Never Told You (A Survival Guide for Teenage Girls)

Author: Richard M. Dudum

Publisher: Island Publishing

Lawyer, musician, Realtor, summer-camp director, leader and cancer survivor Richard Dudum lives in San Francisco and is the father to two daughters and two sons. His oldest daughter is currently in college and younger one in high school. He wrote this book to help parents and their children.

Although the cover of this book is very pretty and should be attractive to young girls, be forewarned, inside are some hard-hitting issues facing young teens today.

Teenage girls often find they are under pressure - sex, drugs and alcohol playing a big part in this. Often they do not have a parent to confide in if something goes wrong.

Richard’s new book, What Your Mother Never Told You (A Survival Guide for Teenage Girls), covers every subject that can be a bit difficult to discuss. We have chapters concerning perceptions and communication skills, how to handle yourself and a large section on the more embarrassing subjects such as sex and when is the right (or wrong) time to do it.

The author reaches out to young girls through the pages and says “When your stomach tells you that something isn’t right, no should be the first word you think of when you’re unsure of the right answer - especially when you’re saying no to issues like sex, alcohol and drugs.”

Very true indeed and his voice certainly reaches the reader in a clear way.

However, sometimes I felt Richard tended to go a little over the top on such issues as boys.  For instance, I felt he was overly degrading them and implying they were always the enemy, wanting only one thing. Perhaps, when they tell girls they are special, they actually mean it. There is no reason why you should tell boys to get lost unless you absolutely feel it is wrong to be with them. Richard argues: “You get compliments, you get gifts. He buys you a ring. He takes you out. He tells you you’re beautiful. He says all the things you want to hear. What do you owe him? NOTHING. YOU DON’T OWE HIM JACK!”

I don’t completely agree with Richard. Maybe you do owe this boy something, love and kindness not attitude and constant suspicion. It might not be “pure bullshit” at all, this guy might actually care. Of course only you will know the answer to that . This is only my theory others may think quite differently.

I thought Richard had some really good pointers included in this guide. For instance, he takes note of young girls looking up to the models appearing on TV and in glossy magazines and feel that this is how they should look. He says that these “models” are actually airbrushed and while they might appear to have larger breasts then you, they are probably helped with a lot of surgery and implants. These should not be the models whom you want to immitate. The only thing that matters is YOU.

Another important chapter (both for parents and teens) is Let’s Teach You How to Drink. Richard maintains that it is vital that you know how to handle your drink and what your body can take. He states if you feel really drunk that is the time to stop drinking. Don’t let yourself get so out of control you can’t handle anything. I only wish I had read this when I was younger and found my head down the toilet throwing up on alcohol after being encouraged to “have another drink. You’re not drunk yet.”!

He also points out that when at a party or whereever else you may be, it is important never to leave your drink unattended as it could easily get spiked. Never accept a drink from someone you don’t know. You never know what is actually in it.

Date rape often happens when drinks are spiked and it is high on the list - especially in high schools and college.

This is a very handy guide with issues discussed that are not so easily spoken about. It helps young girls to have a better understanding of their environment and encourages them to approach their parents or close friends if they feel something is wrong. In addition, it is also an essential guide for parents and teachers, as it can be really helpful in understanding your child/pupil and the problems they face.

Clear-sighted and helpful advice in abundance.

Click Here To Purchase From Amazon What Your Mother Never Told You (A Survival Guide for Teenage Girls)

The above review was contributed by: Jessica Roberts:  Jessica is a book reviewer for a local newspaper and has reviewed for a national women's magazine too. She has had various articles published in magazines and has now completed her novel. Jessica currently lives in West Yorkshire and enjoys walking in the dales and woodlands as part of her hobby as well as, of course, reviewing books. To read more of Jessica's reviews  CLICK HERE 

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