I
remember the insight and understanding I gained the first time I read
about the five love languages. Teens really need the information and
I'm glad to see it presented in a book written especially for them.
If
you're not familiar with the love languages, here's a synopsis. It's
been found that each person receives messages of love and
appreciation in a particular way. Some accept spoken (or written)
words. Some recognize love by the amount of quality time you are
willing to spend with them. Others recognize love through gifts.
Others need to see acts of service. And some accept love best when
expressed through touch.
I
like how the authors expand on each of the languages. For example,
with the love language of time, that can be expressed with quality
conversation (with tips on communicating), quality listening (with
tips on listening skills), and quality activities. The authors have
included some suggested ways of expressing love in each of the
languages. They also include how to recognize the love language of
another. And, especially suited for teens, there are warnings for
each language as to how it can be misused (such as the most misused –
touch).
The
method of presentation and the graphics are great. I really like the
emphasis on feeling loved and how the feeling is created when the
right love language is used. We tend to use our own love language and
that may not work with someone else. Recognizing another person's
love language and expressing love in that way may take some effort.
But teens will really see the benefit in relationships.
The
authors give examples of each love language and how the message is
received. They also include cautions, like not being phony. This book
will help teens understand communication and relationship problems.
Recognizing differences in communication languages, teens be better
able to make good relationships. The authors even include tips for
family relationships (parents and siblings) and a chapter on anger
and forgiveness.
Tips
and questions are included at the end of each chapter. This would be
a good book for parents to read along with their teens as the
questions would provide good discussion. Everyone in the family could
work through the love language profile and determine their own. Those
results would make for good family discussion too.
I
highly recommend this book for teens and parents. Even if you've read
about the five love languages before, this is a good book to refresh
your memory. If you've never read about the love languages, this is a
good place to start. You're in for a treat and a future with better
relationships.
Food
for thought: “Learning to speak love and appreciation in a language
the other person can receive is the key to enhancing all human
relationships.” (16)
My
rating: 5/5 stars.
Gary
Chapman is the author of the New York Times bestseller The 5 Love
Languages, a speaker and counselor. He travels the world presenting
seminars and has a radio program. You can find out more at
5LoveLanguages.com.
Paige
Haley Drygas has helped edit and develop a line of teen Bibles. She
has also partnered with many other authors. She is the President of
Peachtree Editorial Services. She lives in Peachtree, Georgia with
her husband and sons.
Moody
Press, 144 pages.
I
received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the
purpose of an independent and honest review.
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