Everything is changing. When you're in middle school, your body, your emotions, your school, and maybe even your friends are different, which can feel crazy at times. Now your parents and siblings are trying to figure out why you're different, and you wish they could understand you!

It's okay. This is normal! As you move towards becoming an adult, you and your parents will have to work together to make it smooth transition. In My Family you'll get all kinds of secrets and tips that will help you be a better son or daughter, brother or sister, and show you how you can help to make your family even better.

This book is filled with quick and easy-to-read lessons along with funny stories from the authors (who are middle school survivors!). Plus there are quotes and questions from students just like you. After reading My Family, you'll understand that you are a part of your family for a reason?and you can give to your family as much as they give to you.

What if you could turn teens\' lives upside-down? Wouldn\'t you love to see them trade in their worldly perspective for a kingdom perspective? invert does just that. By focusing on three primary relationships in students\' lives?relationship with God, relationship with others, and relationship to self?invert resources teach teens to think critically and biblically for themselves. Published by Youth Specialties, a respected leader in youth ministry for more than thirty years, invert tackles the difficult topics that are important to teens.

INTRODUCTION

SECTION 1: FIRST THINGS FIRST
Why Is This So Hard?
What Has Changed?

SECTION 2: BASIC FAMILY SURVIVAL TIPS
What Is a \"Family,\" Anyway?
My Family Is a Mess!
Why Your Family Needs You
Top Seven Things That Make Families Work

SECTION 3: PRIVACY
Why Is Privacy a Major Issue?
Making the Most of a Shared Room
\"Just Give Me Some Space!\"

SECTION 4: RULES
Why Are Rules a Major Issue?
How to Get Rules Changed
How to Live with Rules That Won\'t Change
Why Are My Parents So Strict?
Don\'t My Parents Remember What It\'s Like to Be My Age?
Why Do My Parents Give Me a Curfew?
Why Don\'t My Parents Let Me Set My Own Curfew?
When Do I Get to Date?
Technology Rules

SECTION 5: FRIENDS
Why Are Friends a Major Issue?
What If My Parents Want Me to Be Friends with Kids I Don\'t Like?

SECTION 6: OTHER MAJOR ISSUES
School
Music
Church
Phone, IM, Chat Rooms, and Stuff Like That
TV and Movies
Chores
Courtesy, Manners, and Respect
Language

SECTION 7: HONORING YOUR PARENTS
What\'s It Mean to \"Honor\"?
Why Does God Care If I Honor My Parents?
How Am I Supposed to Honor My Parents?

SECTION 8: HOW TO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME
No Comparing!
God Has You in the Right Family
Don\'t Think Cooler Parents = a Better Family
Don\'t Think More \"Stuff\" = a Better Family, Either!

SECTION 9: HOW TO GET WHAT YOU WANT
Getting What You Want?What Not to Do
Getting What You Want?What To Do

SECTION 10: SIBLINGS
Trying to Measure Up
Can\'t We All Just Get Along?
My Little Brother/Sister Is a Brat!
My Older Brother/Sister Treats Me Like a Little Kid!
The Other Kids in My House Aren\'t My Birth Brothers/Sisters

SECTION 11: DIVORCE, STEPFAMILIES, AND OTHER STUFF
My Family Is Breaking Apart
My Mom (or Dad) Is Dating (Yuck?Weird!)
A New Stepparent
Balancing More Than Two Parents
How to Live in a Blended Family

SECTION 12: DUMB THINGS PARENTS SAY (AND WHAT THEY REALLY MEAN)
\"Do You Want to Be Grounded for the Rest of Your Life?\"
\"What Were You Thinking?\"
\"Why Can\'t You Be More Like ______________?\"
\"When I Was Your Age...\"

SECTION 13: RANDOM QUESTIONS ABOUT PARENTS AND FAMILIES
Are My Parents Trying to Ruin My Life?
What If One of My Parents Doesn\'t Go to Church?
What If I\'m the Only Christian in My Family?
What If I Don\'t Have a \"Family\" Like Other Kids?
What Am I Supposed to Do If My Parents Don\'t Get Along?

SECTION 14: THINGS THAT AREN\'T SUPPOSED TO BE PART OF A FAMILY
Abuse
Rage
Neglect
What to Do about This Stuff

SECTION 15: A FEW BIBLICAL FAMILIES TO LEARN FROM
Saul and Jonathan
David and Absalom
Jesus and His Parents
Jacob and Esau
Ruth and Naomi
Joe\'s Bros
The Prodigal Son\'s Family

SECTION 16: KEYS TO KEEPING THINGS GOOD IN YOUR FAMILY
Open Communication
Honesty
Noticing Other Family Members\' Needs
Integrity
Doing Your Part
Not-So-Random Acts of Kindness
Creating Good Memories and Having Fun!

SECTION 17: A FEW FINAL THOUGHTS...
Okay... Two Pages of Final Thoughts!)