Always Protect Your Behind - Ayers, Barbara L.

. .

Résumé :
When young people leave home for the first time, life can seem daunting or overwhelming. Becoming an active member of society today is fraught with so many rules and a lot of fine print. Most of our youth are faced with not having been taught so many of the skills necessary to move swiftly and successfully into the adult world. This book presents some of the common pitfalls experienced by so many on the road to becoming independent. It is based upon listening to what parents and young adults had to say about the trials and tribulations they faced along their paths. Throughout my hundreds of conversations with adults of all ages, I discovered so many identical descriptions of problematic situations each of them had encountered. These brave people provided valuable insight into some of the knowledge and coping skills that helped them through some of those unfamiliar and often costly experiences. Topics included in this life guide are the ones that were mentioned most frequently, covering some of the critical issues within the arenas of finance, education, organization, relationships, physical and mental wellbeing, and overall appropriate behavior. Success in everything we do is so dependent upon understanding how to do something, and pretty much everything involving the rules and regulations within both the fine print and the multitude of relationships we encounter. What are the facts concerning credit cards? How do I control spending and budgeting? What is involved in having roommates or even good relationships? What are the facts concerning birth control? How can I find physical and mental well-being? Knowledge empowers an individual in the pursuit of achieving their desired goals and facilitates in providing the tools to avoid many of the common mistakes. Ironically, some of the same issues faced by generations of the past still persist today. The wisdom of sages throughout history can allow us to learn without having to go through the pain of the actual experiences themselves. Many of their famous quotes appear throughout the book as examples of their keen observations. There is an importance in knowing that options exist. Preliminary presentation of the book's material to individuals 18 through 80 has been enlightening. It was often met with an I wish I had known that before response. This book offers solid, straightforward, and interesting insights and alternatives to make the transition to adulthood closer to a triumphant journey. This information has been much needed and frequently overlooked by parents and educators of our youth. We cannot resort to finger pointing or blaming, but rather to be available to provide assistance and answers when they are needed. Our ultimate responsibility is to help in the development of flourishing adults for the betterment of society as a whole.