ANYONE raising adolescents will understand where Kingsley mother Sonia Neale is coming from in her new book, Death by Teenager.
Her latest work is not a parenting guide, but rather a hilarious account of life with three teenagers — Melissa (18), Matthew (15) and Christopher (13).
She draws on a wicked sense of humour to illustrate her teenagers’ approach to part-time work, homework, getting on, feeding animals, messy bedrooms, love, food, money and more.
Sonia is sure parents will relate to her stories, written from notes made at the kitchen table as a form of therapy in a hectic household.
“Teenagers are a whole species from a different planet,” she said.
“I grew up as an only child until my sister came along when I was nine so I only know how girls play.
“Teenage boys are a completely new experience and such an eye-opener.
“Thirteen is the worst age, when the hormones kick in and they are awful to their parents.
“They don’t have a clue; it’s all about them – they are very emotional and very hormonal.”
Sonia, a first-year psychology student, is also the author of The Bad Mother’s Revenge — a humorous guide to coping (and sometimes not) with parenting children, published by ABC Books in 2006.
She broadcast amusing anecdotes about family life on ABC Radio for four years and writes a regular column for a parenting magazine.
Her future plans include a novel, a family-type story set in WA, and possibly another anecdotal book, perhaps on the empty nest syndrome.
Death by Teenager, also published by ABC Books, is at bookstores.
Sonia also has a website, www.sonianeale.com.
ABC Books and Community have a copy of Death by Teenager to give away.
Simply write the author’s name on the back of an envelope with your name, address and daytime contact number. Send to Death by Teenager competition, Weekender, PO Box 885, Joondalup WA 6919.