Adolescence has always been a time of huge transformation, but today's teens deal with challenges that parents may never have imagined. An increasingly digital world filled with social media, gaming and harmful content, along with changing cultural norms, has intensified the pressure to excel and 'fit in' - leading to heightened levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
Maggie Dent, Australia's queen of common-sense parenting, believes that teens can handle these pressures with resilience and strength when they are supported by stable, loving connections with family, teachers and other caring adults.
Drawing on up-to-date research, a survey of modern teens, her own experiences as a teacher, counsellor and mother, and her memories of being a teen, Maggie provides clear and compassionate 'what to do' advice for some of the most difficult, sensitive topics - such as technology use, sex, drugs and alcohol, dropped school grades, mental health and identity - and shows us how we can provide a safe and supportive environment for all our teens.
Help Me Help My Teen is a reassuring, practical guide for parents to help teenagers navigate adolescence and grow into confident, capable adults.
PRAISE FOR HELP ME HELP MY TEEN
'I love Maggie's style. Quite simply, when she talks, we should listen'
- Hamish Blake
'A masterpiece ... This book is the answer we've been waiting for.'
- Dr Vanessa Lapointe
'... a fresh take on supporting teens handling this transformational age with independence, resilience, and strength. If you need guidance on connecting with your teen securely and lovingly while supporting them through to adulthood, this book is for you.'
- Green Child Magazine
'This book is worthy of a standing ovation and one of the best books I've ever read. Maggie is an incredible woman, whose knowledge will continue to save lives and improve countless people's mental health.'
- Shanelle Franklin, host of The Beautiful Nightmare podcast
Dent, Maggie: - Commonly known as the 'queen of common sense', Maggie Dent has become one of Australia's favourite parenting authors, educators and podcasters. She has a particular interest in the early years, adolescence and resilience, and is an undisputed 'boy champion'.Maggie's experience includes teaching, counselling, and working in palliative care/funeral services and suicide prevention. Maggie is an advocate for the healthy, common-sense raising of children in order to strengthen families and communities. She is a passionate, positive voice for children of all ages.Maggie is the host of The Good Enough Dad podcast and hosted six seasons of the award-winning ABC podcast, Parental As Anything. In 2025, she appears in the genre-bending ABC TV series about the challenges of parenting modern tweens/teens, The Role of a Lifetime. She is the author of 10 major books, plus several other e-books and a prolific creator of resources for parents, adolescents, teachers, early childhood educators and others who are interested in quietly improving their lives.Her books include the 2024 release Help Me Help My Teen: supporting our teens through tough times, Girlhood: Raising our little girls to be healthy, happy and heard, Parental As Anything (a book based on her podcast released in 2021), and her bestselling boys' books From Boys to Men and Mothering Our Boys.Maggie is the proud mother of four wonderful sons, and an enthusiastic and grateful grandmother. She lives in the South Coast region of NSW with her good bloke Steve Mountain and their dear little dog, Mr Hugo Walter Dent.
