Between Form and Freedom Edition 3 Revised

“An excellent book, that is enlightening, inspiring and an essential guide for parents and teachers of adolescents. With a wide range of experience and expertise, Betty Staley offers a wise and practical approach in how we can support developing adolescents to tackle the many changes and current issues facing them in these challenging times of learning to become an adult, such as power, relationships, self-esteem, alcohol, drugs, body image, social media. Examples from adolescents, nutshell summaries for each chapter and study questions are interesting and helpful, promoting reflection, discussion and guidance for action.”

—Robin Steele PhD. Mother of adult children, grandmother of adolescents, retired early childhood teacher, parent educator, Psychophonetics psychotherapist & trainer

“Betty Staley’s book is a must-have for all parents of teenagers Her calm wisdom about teenagers and the incredible depth of her knowledge will reassure any parent perplexed or struggling with their teenager. She can enable parents to know how to help their teenager navigate the complex world of adolescence and come out the other side strong in their own identity, participating in life and contributing to others.”

—Caroline Penney, systemic family therapist and author of The Parenting Toolkit: simple steps to happy and confident children

“It’s a rare book about teens that becomes more and more relevant as time goes on.  This is not just one of them, it is the one.  Whenever I am asked by parents trying to unravel their teens behavior—‘Is that normal?’—I recommend Between Form and Freedom with a confidence that it will give them the understanding they need, to open up a path toward deeper and enduring connection with their child.”

—Kim John Payne, author of Simplicity Parenting

Betty K. Staley

Betty K. Staley was born in 1938 in the Bronx, New York, attended City University of New York, graduating Phi Beta Kappa with a BA in psychology and a minor in history. She received her Waldorf teacher training at the Michael Hall Teacher Training Course, Sussex, England. She earned her MA in Education at St. Mary's College, Moraga, California. Ms. Staley began her Waldorf teaching at the Sacramento Waldorf School as a kindergarten substi­tute and handwork teacher, and then became a class teacher from 5th through 8th grade before returning to take a 7th grade, which became the first high school class, graduating in 1978. She guided the high school and taught in it full-time for nineteen years. Ms. Staley was a co-founder of Rudolf Steiner College, Fair Oaks, California. She has been a consultant and guide to Waldorf teachers, both in independent Waldorf schools and in Waldorf methods public schools, and for teachers of at-risk students. A worldwide lecturer on child and adolescent development, multiculturalism, and Waldorf education, Ms. Staley is the author of five books: Tapestries: Weaving Life's Journey (1997); Soul Weaving: How to Shape Your Destiny and Inspire Your Dreams (2000); Between Form and Freedom: A Practical Guide to the Teenage Years (2009); and Africa: A Teacher's Guide (2017, 2021).

Q&A with Betty K. Staley author of Between Form and Freedom