As appeared in Publishers Weekly’s

Religion BookLine

January 21, 2004

"MOM, I HATE MY LIFE!": Becoming Your Daughter's Ally Through the

Emotional Ups and Downs of Adolescence

Sharon A. Hersh. Shaw, $13.99 paper (240p) ISBN 0-87788-023-9

Being a teenage girl is more frightening than ever, says Hersh, a professional counselor and frequent speaker on adolescence. But mothers can be their daughters' allies through this perilous time, helping girls navigate their confusion about body image, sexual awakening and emotional upheaval. In fact, Hersh believes that girls' turmoil should be viewed as a golden opportunity to begin practicing involved "hand-in-hand mothering." Peppered with examples from her counseling practice and her own experiences as a mother to a teenage girl, Hersh's book urges sensible compassion as mothers and daughters become companions on a mutual journey. She gives concrete and specific examples of how mothers can appropriately respond to their daughters' pain and help them understand their feelings. Throughout, Hersh also offers a central Christian message that God's love should be the foundation of girls' and mothers' identities. (Apr. 20) – by Jana Riess