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07776 - A Parent's Guide to Teens: The Growing Season Book To Order
07607 - A Parent's Guide to Teens: The Growing Season Video (on VHS) and Guide To Order

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Perception, Misperception, and Self-fulfilling Prophecy

Family Activities

1. Think about an apple. What comes into your mind? Apples can produce many different images. Maybe you thought:
   • Apple pie
   • Apple cider
   • A crunchy snack
   • Bobbing for apples
   • A red apple
   Compare your response with someone else. Every response will be different.
2. People perceive things differently because perceptions are based on individual needs, backgrounds, and experiences. Perceptions are a powerful force in human relationships. Think about what experiences have shaped your perceptions of teens and what problems might occur if your perceptions of teens, or theirs of you, are wrong?

Find out how well you know your teen.
Answer these questions. Talk about your answers with your teen.

• What is your teen's favorite meal?
• What is your teen's favorite class in school?
• Who is your teen's closest friend?
• Who is your teen's favorite musical group?
• What makes your teen really angry?
• What embarrasses your teen the most?
• What is your teen's biggest fear?
• What is your teen's biggest complaint about your family?
• What person outside the family has most touched your teen's life?
• What achievement or skill is your teen most proud of?

Ask your teen to answer the following questions about you.

• What is your parent's favorite meal?
• What was your parent's favorite class in school?
• Who is your parent's closest friend?
• Who is our parent's favorite singer or musical group?
• What makes your parent really angry?
• What embarrasses your parent the most?
• What is your parent's biggest fear?
• What is your parent's biggest complaint about your family?
• What person outside the family has most touched your parent's life?
• What achievement or skill is your parent most proud of?

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