Introduction: why this book? -- How adolescence marks the end of childhood (up to ages eight to nine) -- Changes that get underway -- Changes in the child -- Changes in the parenting -- Changes in the relationship -- Issues in early adolescence (ages nine to thirteen) -- The separation from childhood -- Disorganization and distractibility -- Fear of trying and boredom -- Resistance and conflict -- Reluctance to work and to study -- Issues in mid-adolescence (ages thirteen to fifteen) -- Forming a family of friends -- Puberty and vulnerability -- Peers and popularity -- Higher intensity friendships -- Social cruelty at school -- Issues in late adolescence (ages fifteen to eighteen) -- Acting more grown up -- Risk taking and readiness -- Dating and romance -- Social substance use -- The internet -- Issues in trial independence (ages eighteen to twenty-three) -- Stepping off more on one's own -- Graduation separations -- Over-demand and stress -- The need for self-discipline -- The struggle for independence -- Special cases -- Factors that can intensify adolescence development -- Parental divorce -- Rate of growth -- The strong-willed adolescent -- The adolescent only child -- Epilogue: parenting your adult child.