sable to each other.
John Kennedy
I have been fortunate to be able to share a lot of my experi-
should seek outside help. The advice in this section is mostly
ences as a psychologist who works with kids and families, in
geared to kids up to age twelve. If you want content that is re-
books that I have written and seminars that I have conducted.
lated specifically to teens, you can get a copy of Dr. Peter’s
I have always wanted to write a book that presents an easy to
Guide to Teen Parenting from the Apple iBook Store or from
follow, very specific approach to parenting education -- one
that is easy to read, easy to share and discuss, and easy to con-
duct seminars and trainings around. The Intentional Parent
The leadership coaching in Part One will help my readers bet-
has become that book for me.
ter understand the process of parenting. Part Two concen-
trates on situational knowledge. Part Two is not an encyclope-
Part One of The Intentional Parent is a a parenting frame-
dia of parenting topics. Instead it is a good sampling of parent-
work. This framework helps my readers understand how inten-
ing topics across the developmental continuum and I recom-
tions, actions and outcomes form the foundation for becom-
mend reading all of them even if your kids are older or
ing a competent leader. Looking at parenting from a leader-
younger than the ages of the kids in the vignettes and anec-
ship perspective has become important to me because as I
dotes I have included. The second reason for Part Two of The
write this I believe children are facing a lot of challenges. To-
Intentional Parent is to provide material for discussion at the
day’s kids are growing up in a world where they are influenced
parenting seminars I teach. There are common elements in
by media, technology, the fracturing and recombining of fami-
the situations that can help stimulate your thinking and acting
lies, early introduction to drugs, alcohol and sexual behavior.
even if your situations are not exactly the same.
Whether these have always been issues, or whether they are
more influential issues because they come into kid’s lives
sooner is hard to say, but I speak to thousands of parents
every year and I know they are searching for answers to the
question of how to be more effective at influencing their kids
to navigate the tough times of growing up. Strong parents
make strong kids and I am convinced that focusing parents on
the concept of leadership is beneficial to everyone.
Part Two of The Intentional Parent is general parenting knowl-
edge - descriptions of common parenting concerns with spe-
cific advice on what you can handle alone and when you
2