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 Haley Hodge, Allbooks Review recommends this one May 15, 2008
Genre: Self Help/Teens
Title: What Your Mother Never Told You: A Survival Guide for Teenage Girls
Author: Richard Dudum
The teen years are filled with questions. Author Richard Dudum does not give us all of the answers but he certainly does help guide us in the right direction.
Mr. Dudum does not soften his words. The advice comes across like a warning. He prepares you very well for possible future situations, and then tries to give advice that will keep you out of trouble. He helps you avoid these situations and if you can not avoid them, then you will be well equipped to handle them as they come. He seems to understand the troublesome problems that present themselves to a teenage girl.
Topics covered in the book include: Mean Girls, Confidence, Respect, Attitude, Media, and Relationships to name just a few. Subjects like knowing yourself, how you present yourself to others, the people around you and the consequences for your actions are covered in depth. Also the impact you have on others and the impact others have on you. My particular favorite was how you will be remembered after high school.
Most of the perspective is female however he does cover the male perspective in a few chapters. The chapters on sex are most direct, enlightening and definitely educational.
The Author, Richard Dudum is the father of four children, three of them teenagers. Parents and teaches might like this book as a communication tool.
All in all I found the book to be helpful, interesting and easy to read. The vocabulary is understandable and topics easy to relate to. It is a valuable guide for all teenage girls and highly recommended by Haley Hodge, Allbooks Review.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
A good book to open dialogue Apr 28, 2008
Being a teenager has to be one of the most difficult ages. You have the body and hormones of an adult and unfortunately you don't have the experience that you do when your older. I think this book is a great source as a guide to open discussion with your teenager, or younger family member.
What I liked about this book was the way the topics were grouped together. I liked that this book went through a variety of issues, such as sex and dating and did so bluntly. For example one of the best bits of advice was that teenage boys will say anything to get what they want from you physically and it was put very bluntly. Most books like to dance around the real issues.
While I may not agree with every point that is made, but I am hopeful that it will open dialogue with other teenagers or even another adult. I think this is a good book to read if you are an adult with a teenager in your life, because it may remind you of what a difficult time it was, and it may help you give better advice. If you are a teenager, I think this is a good book because it is frank and tells you like it is.
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
 #1... AMAZON's Bestseller for Teens and Parents... ready why! Apr 24, 2008
"What Your Mother Never Told You--A Survival Guide for Teenage Girls" reveals truths to your daughters in an up-close and personal way. Better than any reality show, sitcom, music video or networking--Richard Dudum's years of experience working with youth was the impetus for this compelling must-have resource, written to every young female.
Though the words are simple and the chapters short, the message of Dudum's book is direct and shouts undeniable facts--facts that should make this book mandatory reading.
Since time began the female gender has always been the object of many desires--good and bad. In years gone by girls were taught about life and choices within the home. The world was a much different place and the consequences of poor choices less harsh. However, the youth of today are bombarded with confusion, lies, and half-truths--anything but the reality of their choices. In actuality today's children are basically being told not to think, just follow the lead of anyone, everyone--except the ones who treasure them most and have the least to gain, except the satisfaction of successful parenting.
Socially, intellectually, physically, academically and even spiritually, both overtly and subliminally, the minds of today are being fed anything and everything depending on the agenda of the messenger. One simple experiment can blast open the ears of the hearts of parents--Turn off the sound of any popular music television network and ask yourself one question... "What are they selling my child?" It doesn't take a rocket scientist or a brain surgeon to realize that anything goes as long as it is profitable for the producer. Follow the money--therein lies the real message.
Innocence once treasured is lost for the sake of monetary gain and lives of younger generations are forever influenced--because... "If it's on TV, at the theater, in the magazines, on the radio, or available at stores--then it must be ok." The sad part is that this kind of thinking rises to influence grown adults, as well. Just look at statistics on divorce, pornography, infidelity, drug and alcohol abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, etc., rape and other violent crimes against women and so on and so on...
If you love your child, young or old--if you value their mind, their life--then buy this book--put it where they'll find it. If they pick it up, they'll read it--because this book is written to them, in words that they understand. And when they are finished... you read it--then open the lines of communication by listening to all they share. Give this book to a friend, a family member, a teacher, a pastor, a counselor. Write about it on your blog, tell your neighbor, anyone you know who has a heart for kids--albeit their kid or any kid.
The pages of this book are filled with passion and awareness as Richard writes to their hearts--sharing thoughts, advice and wisdom pertinent to today, yet universal through the generations. Trekking through turbulent traffic, in the teen years requires trust, time and tenacity--tools Richard has tried to provide teenagers to effectively communicate and travel triumphantly. "What Your Mother Never Told You--A Survival Guide for Teenage Girls" is a book that will speak volumes to everyone who reads it. What better legacy can you leave than that of teaching your sons or daughters the truth? It's all here written from a father's heart to all youth.
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
Empowering teenage girls Apr 23, 2008
I want my precious 15 year old daughter to respect herself and be safe. We talk. I hope she listens. Her peers talk, I know she listens. Richard Dudum's book is one more voice, one more source of support and information I can offer my daughter with the hopes that it will help her make safe choices as she becomes a woman in this challenging time. I hope she listens. I can't make her read it but I put it on her bedside table and I have noticed the bookmark has moved. That's a good sign.
The 'invisible' subtitle I have decided could be...'What your mother told you but you couldn't hear BECAUSE she is your mother'. I talk a lot with my kids and as a teacher and parent educator , I have a lot of strong beliefs about learning, kids, parents, relationships, drugs and sex that they have heard over the years (or at least been present in the room while I have shared) sometimes engaging in a conversation and sometimes staying silent. Are they listening? I sense that they sometimes yearn for a 'Reader's Digest version' of what I have to say and sometimes they just want me to be quiet.
The chapters in this book are short...maybe the Reader's Digest version my kids have yearned for!
The chapters are short...that's why I think there's a chance my daughter will read them. The brevity means there are generalizations. That's OK by me because we continue to talk about the details. This book is not a substitute for parent support but an addition to the support we can give our daughters.
The language is direct. Again, a reason my daughter may actually start and keep reading.
I read the chapter, "How to Tell Your Parents" to two of my neighbors who both have teenage daughters going through difficult times...both parents were in tears. They are getting books for their daughters. We all just want our precious children to be safe. When they hurt, we hurt. We want to help them but they want and need to also be able to help themselves. I think this book can help them do that.
I remember reading once that choosing to be a parent is choosing to have your heart walking around outside of your body. That truly describes it for me...my heart is directly connected to an 18 year old boy and a 15 year old girl who are both negotiating a world that I cannot protect them from. I can love them, I can believe in them, I can keep talking with them and I can provide them with ways that they can love themselves,believe in themselves and protect themselves....this book is one more way I can help...one more way we can all help.
Torri Chappell
San Anselmo
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Reviewed by Cynthia Murphy for Breeni Books Mar 23, 2008
At times, being a teenager feels like being lost without a compass or a map. Fortunately, Richard M. Dudum's What Your Mother Never Told You: A Survival Guide for Teenage Girls could provide some much-needed guidance for teenage girls. This book covers a number of topics including peer pressure, drugs, and sex. The information here is not new; Dudum's approach is what's new.
The book is broken into short, easy-to-read chapters. Dudum uses blunt language that will sound very familiar to teenagers. He doesn't mince words or sugarcoat any of the topics. At times the blunt language may shock some parents, but it won't shock the intended teenage audience. Some of the chapters are a bit redundant, but the repetition of certain themes (such as not rushing into a sexual relationship) really does drive Dudum's point home.
One area that may concern some parents involves the section about drinking. Dudum includes a chapter entitled "Let's Teach You How to Drink." In this chapter, Dudum acknowledges that underage drinking is wrong, but it is a fact of life. The chapter contains valuable information about how to manage drinking and what to watch out for when drinking. The emphasis in the chapter is not really on how to drink; it's much more about safety. Important information regarding date rape is included in this chapter. The information included in this section may disturb some parents, but it could provide a needed wake-up call for some teens.
The main lesson in What Your Mother Never Told You is the importance of personal accountability. Dudum emphasizes the importance of taking control of your own actions and admitting your own mistakes. These lessons are at the heart of each chapter. He even includes a chapter on how to tell your parents about a serious mistake. Some of the advice sounds like typical advice from Dad, but it is still relevant.
Dudum has also included several important appendices. These contain information about specific drugs, domestic violence, and how to help a friend in need. The appendices pull together valuable information that may be spread through several chapters. The addition of the appendices is a nice touch.
Richard M. Dudum's What Your Mother Never Told You: A Survival Guide for Teenage Girls does a great job of demystifying the teenage years. His advice is sound and heartfelt. Dudum's long history of working with teens shows in his understanding of their problems. The book's layout of short chapters makes it is easy to read and keeps it from sounding too clinical. This book could be a valuable guide for teenage girls and their parents.
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