Member Reviews

This book has some great ideas that I am excited to implement with my own teens. Great for any teen parent, teacher, or friend to read.

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HELPING YOUR UNMOTIVATED TEEN by Melanie McNally is subtitled "A Parent's Guide to Unlock Your Child's Potential." McNally, a licensed clinical psychologist and brain coach, focuses on drive, grit, and goal-creating. She is not a parent herself and that seems reflected in her rather naïve belief that parents can readily negotiate (and enforce) screen time limits and then move on to implementing the ideas she presents. She offers some quality suggestions and obviously cares about teen mental health, but I felt that many of the comments here might be more acceptable to an "unmotivated" teen if an objective, impartial party was attempting to prompt dialogue and influence action rather than having a parent do so. As she says, "it's important to first do a 'vibe check' on your teen’s mood and attitude. They're going to be much more receptive to your input if they're in a decent mood and generally feeling good about life." True for all of us! McNally devotes about five percent of the book to a list of helpful references.

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I loved everything about this book. It’s not only a valuable resource for parenting a teenager, but it also encourages you to try the exercises on yourself first. By understanding our own relationship with grit and motivation, we can better support the teenagers in our lives. Thank you to NetGalley and New Harbinger for access to an advanced digital copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

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Another book I just had to have. Just from reading the title, I was already comforted knowing I’m not the only parent going through it with my teen. Them having ADHD only complicates things. In the introduction the author points out how lots of teens loss valuable years due the pandemic and again, this was spot on. Knowing that it’s not entirely my fault that my adult child is struggling with certain societal milestones was very validating and appreciated.

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This was a great resource to reference when navigating my new normal with a teenager. It may have been slightly repetitive but nonetheless very helpful. Thanks to the author and NG for this ARC.

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This book was a nice surprise for me. Entering preteen years with my first child, I see my self unprepared to deal with teen lack of motivation. I found in this book several practical advices on dealing with lack of motivation in teens.
The book unfolds gradually concepts like drive, grit and goals by giving many ideas and explanations for implementing in your teen’s life. I found it easy and catchy to read.

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In the book, Helping your Unmotivated Teen, Dr. Melanie McNally common challenges faced by teens and young adults in terms of motivation and direction are addressed. Dr. McNally shares her profound knowledge on enhancing interpersonal skills and boosting motivation in young adults. She succinctly outlines the crucial components of motivation as drive, grit, and goals, providing valuable guidance for parents navigating the complexities of nurturing unmotivated teens. The book also touches on the current generation's environment, exploring the influence of social media and the evolving dynamics of adolescence and parenting. Dr. McNally's approach was not only insightful but also empowering, offering practical strategies for both parents and young adults. Her expertise is particularly beneficial for parents guiding teens and young adults, providing them with valuable insights and support.

The quest for motivation in teenagers can be daunting, especially when faced with factors like excessive screen time, pandemic-induced apathy, or disillusionment. However, Dr. Melanie McNally emerges as a beacon of expertise in this realm. She offers a fresh perspective, posing pertinent questions, suggesting effective solutions, and presenting proven techniques to reignite motivation and focus in teens, steering them towards a future filled with purpose and fulfillment. Through a systematic approach, Dr. McNally's book dissects motivation into three key elements: cultivating creativity and passion, building endurance and perseverance, and encouraging meaningful goals. These incremental changes can yield significant results, fostering confidence, a sense of achievement, and a drive to persist and succeed. If you aspire to motivate your teen and pave the way for a successful and fulfilling future, Dr. Melanie's book is an excellent starting point.

The book's well-structured content offers invaluable insights that I look forward to incorporating into my parenting approach. It is a must-read for parents in similar circumstances, offering innovative strategies and much-needed encouragement. This book encourages autonomy and teaching teens to be accountable of his/her actions. This book, presents a compassionate and practical approach to motivating teenagers. This is an invaluable resource to parents and teachers of teenagers and young adults. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.

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"Help Your Child Get Motivated" by Melanie McNally offers a fresh and empathetic approach to motivating teens. The book addresses common challenges faced by teens today, such as screen time and disillusionment, and provides practical strategies for parents. McNally's expertise shines through in her insightful suggestions and proven techniques. This book is a valuable resource for parents looking to support their teens in finding fulfillment and success.

#HelpingYourUnmotivatedTeen #NetGalley

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This is an excellent, albeit repetitive, summary of the science of motivation and its implications and applications for the unmotivated teen. Grounded in self-determination, mindset, and grit, the book does a great job of offering advice and helping parents understand important concepts and the rationale for the advice shared.

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I am so glad I read this motivational book, not only for my daughter but for myself. I felt that this was right on the money!

Grit, goals and drive are the key ingredients for motivating my teenager. It’s our job as parents to be an active listener and help guide them in their decision making.

I felt this was very informative! I’d like to sit down with my daughter and write down some goals. Comparing sports was helpful as well!

If you’re experiencing troubles with giving your teen independence, read this! Guide them and find things that give them their drive and excel!

I’d like to thank the publisher and the author for this opportunity. All opinions are my own. Publication date Oct 31, 2024
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and as a mother to a teenager deeply immersed in video games, it came as a breath of fresh air during a time of personal doubt and parental frustration. It offered me a new perspective on my approach to parenting, introducing techniques and insights I’m excited to apply. More so, it reaffirmed the effectiveness of strategies I’m already using, like fostering autonomy and teaching the importance of facing the consequences of one’s actions. This validation has been a comforting reminder that perhaps I’m navigating motherhood more successfully than I feared. The book is well-organized, providing valuable insights that I’m eager to integrate into my parenting style. It’s a must-read for parents in similar situations, offering both innovative strategies and much-needed reassurance.

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This book offers very practical stategies for parents dealing with unmotivated teens. Its broken down very well. Simple but powerful techniques that will empow parents to support their teens. I really enjoyed this book. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

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