recommended reading

Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood by Lisa Damour is a practical, research-informed guide to understanding the developmental shifts that occur during adolescence. Written specifically for parents, the book outlines seven core transitions that shape a girl’s movement from childhood into adulthood, including growing independence, peer influence, emotional intensity, identity development, and future planning.

This book helps parents distinguish between what is developmentally typical and what may signal a need for additional support. It offers concrete language for responding to emotional ups and downs, shifting friendships, academic pressure, and emerging autonomy, while maintaining connection and appropriate boundaries.

I often recommend this book because it provides a balanced, realistic view of adolescence, normalizes common challenges, and equips parents with practical tools to stay steady and supportive during these years.