September 20, 2005 10:24 AM
Dirty Dancing at the Prom
Okay, for those of you who are wondering what exactly my new book Dirty Dancing at the Prom is all about, it started when two of my sons - then a junior and senior in high school decided not to go to their prom because of the embarassing behavior of some of their peers. I did a little research and found out this was a problem scattered nationwide with some school districts shutting down school dances or coming up with contracts or guidelines for kids' behavior at dances.
I wrote a column for our local paper and several letters to Loudoun County Public Schools - administration and board - to alert them to the fact that our school dances had gotten out of control. In their usual fashion, they denied the existence of any problem.
That same year, a friend of my sons led a delegation to the Loudoun County School Board to ask for their intervention. The story got media attention, causing a backlash from a few "hip" parents who thought freedom of expression was the most important thing in their kids' lives - far outweighing appropriate behavior, good manners, or respect for the opposite sex.
I was recounting this to my editor at Beacon Hill - just chatting, nothing more - when she grabbed my arm and said, "Barbara, that's your next book!"
We kicked it off with a focus group of Kansas City teens who opened up their lives, sharing the daily challenges they faced - kind of like The Secret Life of Teens. I followed with email interviews with Christian teens across the country. A major portion of Dirty Dancing is direct quotes from teens about their struggles as they try to live out what they've learned from their parents while becoming more independent.
But as far as the good, the bad, and the ugly - the book focuses more on the first than the latter two. Far from a simple expose, the book focuses on the positive: seven principles parents can use to equip and empower their teens to make wise choices and live an authentic Christian life.
Check out the Contents
Grounding in God’s Love: Self-esteem
Setting Limits: Self-assurance
Avoiding Temptation: Self-control
Developing Compassion: Self-sacrifice
Standing Up For What’s Right: Self-respect
Making the Most of Mistakes: Self-help
Living with Integrity: Self-satisfaction
Posted in Teens and Tweens | Permalink
