Decoding Boys

New Science Behind the Subtle Art of Raising Sons

De: Cara Natterson

Narrado por: Cara Natterson

“If you’re raising a boy, you need this brilliant book. It is clear, wise, and eye-opening.” —Lisa Damour, Ph.D., author of Untangled

When boys enter puberty, they tend to get quiet—or at least quieter than before—and parents often misread their signals. Here’s how to navigate their retreat and steer them through this confusing passage, by the bestselling author of The Care and Keeping of You series and Guy Stuff: The Body Book for Boys.

What is my son doing behind his constantly closed door? What’s with his curt responses, impulsiveness, newfound obsession with gaming, and . . . that funky smell? As pediatrician and mother of two teenagers Cara Natterson explains, puberty starts in boys long before any visible signs appear, and that causes confusion about their changing temperaments for boys and parents alike. Often, they also grow quieter as they grow taller, which leads to less parent-child communication. But, as Natterson warns in Decoding Boys, we respect their increasing “need” for privacy, monosyllabic conversations, and alone time at their peril. Explaining how modern culture mixes badly with male adolescent biology, Natterson offers science, strategies, scripts, and tips for getting it right:

• recognizing the first signs of puberty and talking to our sons about the wide range of “normal” through the whole developmental process
• why teenagers make irrational decisions even though they look mature—and how to steer them toward better choices
• managing video game and screen time, including discussing the unrealistic and dangerous nature of pornography
• why boys need emotional and physical contact with parents—and how to give it in ways they’ll accept
• how to prepare boys to resist both old and new social pressures—drugs, alcohol, vaping, and sexting
• teaching consent and sensitivity in the #MeToo culture

Decoding Boys is a powerful and validating lifeline, a book that will help today’s parents keep their sons safe, healthy, and resilient, as well as ensure they will become emotionally secure young men.

Praise for Decoding Boys

“Comforting . . . a common-sensical and gently humorous exploration of male puberty's many trials.”—Kirkus Reviews

How relevant the data and info was

I loved how many tips were given backed by data and evidence. Will absolutely be reading this again- and probably again. A great tool to have in your back pocket

Gracias! Es una gran guía

Me ha iluminado mucho! En un mundo donde todos se enfocan en las niñas y dejan los cambios en los niños por detrás cuando son igual de importantes, este libro me ha iluminado mucho. Es una gran guía, es un libro directo y conciso. Narrado además con una dicción perfecta. Lo recomiendo mucho.

Essential read

As a mom and teacher of adolescents, this book is a must read for anyone raising or interacting regularly with kids. It is real, unapologetic, necessary. People are finally writing about boys, and it provides fantastic insight.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

I've been waiting for this! i devoured Lisa Damour's books on raising girls and navigating the transition to adulthood. There was nothing good for boys. Finally, now a book for parents of boys. Helping boys enter parenting through adolescence. Not just puberty, but the emotional and social changes too. Dr. Natterson also includes medical and child development advice. I'm here for it all!

I will see men again in the same way.

I loved the scientific explanations and insights. The author brought facts. Everyone could benefit from this book.