Parental Leadership: 7 Principles to Lead Your Teen in the Digital Age gives a hard and real look at the crisis millions of families face in today’s digital world—from conflict resolution and the damage of labels on the young mind to the need for tough discussions and the rise of Family Dysfunction and Denial (FDD). Author Christopher S. Mahan also introduces a new term: PLADD, or Parental Leadership Attention Deficit Disorder.

To help parents, caregivers, and grandparents understand their role, Mahan compares two parenting styles. First is the MANAGERS Style Parent (MSP)—a confusing, inconsistent figure who may swing from kindness to abuse, often using guilt and shame to force obedience. This approach contributes to rising rates of teen suicide, pregnancy, dropouts, and even violent crimes, cutting across all backgrounds and communities.

In contrast, the LEADERS Style Parent (LSP) is the model teens truly want and need—offering love, support, discipline, and guidance while leading with strength, consistency, and care. Mahan shares how he once parented as an MSP before committing to the LSP path and addresses the core problem of what he calls the WEAK father—men who let childhood trauma and a fixed mindset derail their parenting.

The LEADERS Style Parent becomes the CEP—Chief Executive Parent—guided by a 20-year plan, SWOT analysis, and goal setting. This book equips parents to build emotionally resilient, courageous, and confident young adults.

Christopher S. Mahan spent 10 years writing this book. After a tragic wave of teen suicides in his county, he founded Crazy 8 Freedom in 2013. He later worked in a federal youth employment program and served as a Florida Supreme Court mediator. A coach, educator, and podcast host (Lead Your Teen), Mahan has delivered over 5000 hours of workshops to youth ages 14–24 across Florida.