How can parents help their preteens or ‘tweens’ on their road to adulthood? Children need to know what it means to be an adult with strong character and values. 12 Tasks will guide you on how to create a rite of passage for your emerging adult. The book tells the story of where 12 Tasks began 30 years ago among some families in Kenya. It traces the history and importance of rites of passage in traditional culture. Then it offers a clear how-to for designing your own version of 12 Tasks for your child – including ways to assess your child, choosing the tasks, completing and then celebrating at the end. 12 Tasks is not an easy journey, but it will help deepen your relationship as a parent with your child and it will help you guide your son or daughter in their transition toward adulthood.
This book was written by two fathers who are passionate about helping their children and grandchildren make a successful transition from being youth to being adults. 12 Tasks offers a personal and practical path for parents with the same passion to help their children on the journey to adulthood.
Meet the Authors
Jack Taylor
Learn more about Jack and his other books.
Shel Arensen
Learn more about Shel and his other books.
Check out our 12 Taskers blog for stories and experiences of parents who have done or are doing the 12 Tasks with their kids.
Climbing a Mountain
One task we gave to each of our four children was to climb Mt Kenya up to Point Lenana, the third highest peak at 16,355 feet above sea level. It didn’t require any technical climbing skills, but it was a tremendous challenge to reach the top. We struggled up a...
Building Communication Patterns that Last
When my son Richard was young there was no problem in getting him to talk. He would follow my wife around the kitchen and the house as she worked, talking about all the new things he was learning and doing. As he grew up and engaged with his friends, his focus of...
Peaceful Conflict – part 1
Peaceful conflict seems to be an oxymoron when it comes to working out friction with your emerging teen. We are designed for intimate connection with others in our family where we can freely express ourselves and be accepted. Being vulnerable can leave us open to...
Great Lines for Life
One of the things I enjoy doing is writing. Each of my books focuses on dramatic themes which we can all relate with. My characters desire to love and to be loved. They want security, significance, purpose, hope, meaning and grace. Dr. Tim Kimmel, in his book, Grace...
Getting Inspired by 12 Tasks
Impacting the next generations is a natural part of any parental legacy. While I didn’t fully think through all the reasons why blogging is an essential part of inspiring other parents to engage with their children in a deliberate and challenging way, I saw the impact...
What’s Up with This next Generation?
Everyone of us who walks the pathway of parenthood once questioned what was up with our parent’s generation. Now, we’ve realized that we’re often out of step with the generation we’ve given birth to. 12 Tasks is designed to help build some significant bridges across...