Posts Tagged ‘teens’

« Older Entries

Information About Troubled Teens Schools

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

In this day and age, it is very easy for teens to fall into the wrong crowd. When this happens, they stop listening to what is right and just start doing what their friends do. No matter what kind of family a kid comes from, the wrong group of friends can take that kid for a turn for the worst. The good news is that there are ways that you can help your teens before it is too late. When you start to notice change in the behaviors of your teens, then it could be time to start looking into troubled teens schools. These are different kinds of schools that can help your teen get back on the right track. These are schools that actually specialize in regaining control of your teens, and once again, teach them right from wrong. You can try as you might, but as long as your teen keeps hanging out with teens that make bad choices, your influences on him or her are going to be tarnished.

Whenever people think of troubled teens schools, they always think of boarding schools that parents send their kids too. However, there are a lot of other different kinds of schools that you can send your kid to. Of course, it is up to you to choose what kind of help your teen needs. Do they need tough love, or do they just need guidance? For example, if your kid has a hard time thinking for himself and a hard time doing what they know is right, then a Christian school could be right for them. You may even want to think about getting them into outdoor adventure programs. This is going to take them out of their normal environment, and put them in a new place where they can make their own choices. Although this can be a rough shock to a kid, it can be the right way to lead them down the right road.

If you are looking for troubled teens schools that are going to help your kid be able to get over addictions, then you may need a different kind of school. For example, a kid that is having problems with drugs may need to go to a therapeutic program. This can help them get rid of those bad influences that are in their life while helping them deal with the addiction itself. Of course, other things like residential treatment centers and places like that will also be very helpful to these kinds of kids. They will get involved with other kids that will be able to help them, and they will get to get involved with school programs that can help them.

For those of you who are suffering from kids that are impossible to controlFree Articles, then some tough love may be what they need. Sending these kids to boarding schools or boot camps is the best way to go. Here the kids will get the discipline that they need to be able to be in public again. Here kids will see what can happen to them if they keep going down the road that they are on. This can be a good awakening for children that do not want to behave.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Helping Troubled Teens

Sunday, September 13th, 2009

At times, even when using the best parenting tactics, teens may need outside help in order to get over their problems.??? It??s important to know that there are many useful resources in your community that can be called upon when your teen??s depression or anger issues become out of control and more than what you can deal with.

One great place to start in your search for outside help for your teen is at his school.??? Contact the school guidance counselor, they are very knowledgeable about problems that teens face today and they have connections to many outside resources.??? The school counselor may also be able to speak with your teen and be a liaison between your teen and his teachers at school.???

There are many youth centers and community centers that offer programs for trouble teens.??? Within these programs, they provide many different coping skills and assistance to teens that will help them manage their troubles.??? These programs also provide mentors that can be very helpful to your teen when they are having problems communicating with the family.??? The key is to locate these programs before your teens behaviors become totally out of control.

If you are involved in church or another place of worship, you may want to contact them to see if there is a youth program at the facility.??? These programs may be helpful to your teen and assist your teen with their individual problems.??? Many pastors and other clergy have been trained in counseling troubled children.

Your family doctor is another wonderful resource that you can use to enlist help for your teen.??? They can assess your teen to see if there is a medical problem that may need to be treated with medication.??? In most cases this is covered by insurance.??? The doctor may also know of other programs and groups that might be helpful to your teen, your family, or even you, in dealing with the problems of depression and anger.

Finding a residential treatment center is usually the last resort for most parents that are dealing with a teen that needs help.??? They are equipped with psychiatrists, doctors and staff that are fully trained to handle the problems that teenagers have.??? It??s important to know that when teens are placed in a facility like this, they receive very close monitoring, and will also receive medication, if it is needed.??? Residential facilities provide group and/or individual counseling for your teenager that will prove to be very helpful. ???They will undergo training in different types coping mechanisms which can help to keep their emotional problems from recurring.

If you have a teenager that you feel needs to receive outside help, it is important to act swiftly before the problem has a chance to escalate. As you can see, there are a number of options available to troubled teens; the key is to find one that works for your teen and your family.??? Not every approach will work with every teen; you know your child best, so trust your instincts and, above all, be patientPsychology Articles, even when they are less than pleasant with you.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Super-Sizing Your Teen’s Self-Esteem

Friday, July 3rd, 2009

Your teenager may go through times where their self-esteem goes up and down; especially if they’re being teased by their peers.� You may want to find ways of raising your teen’s self-esteem to a higher level to help them cope with their issues.� Here are some ways you can do just that:

Take the Time To Listen- You may not always be able to stop what you’re doing when your teen wants to talk. Don’t brush them away and say that you don’t have time. This shows them you don’t care even when you actually do. Tell them that you need a minute or two to finish up what you’re doing and then you will sit down and talk with them.

Listen- Your teen needs to know that you’re actually listening to what they’re saying. Let them tell you what’s on their mind. Ask questions related to what they’re saying. For example, if they’re telling you about someone at school, you can ask if that person is in their class or not. This shows them that what they have to say is valuable; no matter what it is. On the same token, don’t interrupt them by saying what they’re talking about is wrong. Let them talk through their issue first and then explain what might have been wrong about it.

More Praise- Offer more praise for the good things they do and less focus on the things they do wrong. You still want to show them what their mistakes are, but don’t dwell solely on that. Tell them what they could have done right and praise them for anything they may have done correctly in that situation. This helps them see that they aren’t as bad as they might think they are.

Punish Behaviors and Not The Teen- There will be times where you will have to dole out some form of punishment for your teen. It’s important that you punish the behavior, but never tell your teen how stupid they are for doing it or that they can’t do anything right. You would only be adding to their self-esteem problem. They need to know the behavior was unacceptable, but talk to them about how they could have handled it instead, so they don’t come out of it feeling like they’re not worth anything.

Share some of their interests- You don’t need to like everything they do. Find some things that they like and learn about them. For example, if your teen likes to play golf; you can offer to take them sometime and play along with. They can even teach you how to play, so they can feel like they’re really good at something.

Be Understanding- Don’t laugh or brush off your teen’s fears or insecurities. Always be understanding of that fear and help them work through whatever it is. Confess to some fears you might have had when you were their age. This shows them that they’re not alone and they’re not dumb for what they’re feeling.

Encourage- You will want to encourage your teen to do whatever it is they want to do. If their career choice is to be an engineer, then encourage them to find out what they need to learn to become one and encourage them to do whatever they need to accomplish that goal. If they choose to become a professional sports player and not go to college; you should still encourage them to continue playing that sport, but they could do it while in college. Let them know that they can get a feel for how it could work if they get on a professional team later on.

These things give them the confidence they need to try new things and to look forward to the future.� To get super-sized self-esteem for your teenFeature Articles, you can start offering it yourself. This will help them when they have issues outside of the home that could cause a poor self-confidence.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Family | No Comments »

Types of Schools for Troubled Teens

Monday, February 23rd, 2009

This may be a viable alternative for teens who are just beginning to spiral, but alternative day schools are not appropriate for teens who have serious behavioral problems that are exacerbated by relationships with peers. Often, these teens will make progress during the day but slide back into negative behaviors when they visit with friends in the evenings.

Because of this, many parents find that specialty boarding schools are a better option. There are many types of specialty boarding schools available, including Christian, military, and therapeutic boarding schools.

Regardless of the type, all specialty boarding schools are highly structured facilities designed to help troubled teens who are struggling with serious issues and who need round-the-clock supervision. An average stay of three to six months, or even a year or more, is not uncommon to ensure a lasting change in behavior. Specialty boarding schools typically offer a variety of programs to help troubled teens, including academics, athletics, personal development courses, emotional growth sessions, and daily responsibilities and duties.

Christian boarding schools address the needs of troubled teens using a Christian-based philosophy. There are also boarding schools that are do not identify themselves as Christian but still utilize the underlying values and principles of Judeo-Christian religions such as respect, honesty, hard work to help troubled teens.

While military schools can help teens with mild problems or who need more discipline and structure, they are not designed to provide help with serious problems. In fact, attending military school is often considered a privilege, and students are usually required to have good grades and references before they will be admitted. Even if a troubled teen is admitted, they typically fail to give him or her useful tools for change and emotional growth.

Therapeutic boarding schools and treatment programs are recommended for troubled teens who are considered extreme cases where therapy is needed. These schools can cost more, but because they provided structure with a therapeutic component, including group sessions, individual therapy sessions, or a combination of bothHealth Fitness Articles, the results are usually better over time.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Family | No Comments »

Monitoring Your Teens for Drug Use Without Appearing to be Spying

Wednesday, February 18th, 2009

Even if your teenagers do not use drugs, you still need to keep an eye on them. It is much better to realize that things could change, and anticipate that your teen COULD become a user. Essentially, it is not wise to make assumptions about topics such as drug use. Also, having been a high school teacher afforded me the opportunity to witness peer pressure, and how even good kids could be convinced to try drugs – just to fit in. It is important that you play a proactive role in ensuring that your teenagers and the rest of your family remains drug free.

About drug use
Initially, I learned that the signs of drug use included three basic symptoms:
• A loss of interest in hobbies
• A change in friends
• A drop in grades

What I later discovered was that not seeing these symptoms only provides a false sense of security regarding teenagers and potential drug use. The above behaviors apply more to signs of “drug addiction,” as opposed to “experimental” drug use.

Teens who experiment with drugs don’t start out addicted so logically, they do not show any symptoms. They generally look healthy and nothing seems to be wrong. In fact, teens can casually use drugs for over a year before their parents would even suspect any drug or alcohol use.

Many teenagers who decide to experiment with drugs start out casually, using them with friends and then progressing towards regular use. It is important that you look for clues pertaining to casual drug use so that if your teen is prone, you can proactively deal with it.

What you can do
You need to monitor your teen’s behavior and watch for signs of drug use, without appearing to be spying. Your goal should be to prevent him or her from feeling free to experiment with drugs or alcohol. The best way to accomplish this is to keep abreast of your teen’s activities and friends. You will be able to spot a problem early if you keep your eyes and ears open, and believe that YOUR teenager is capable of using drugs. Many parents get blind-sided by thinking that their teen would never try drugs. Only then will you be ready to intervene if the situation presents itself.

The following are ten ways to monitor your teenager’s behavior and watch for signs of drug use, without appearing to be spying:

1. Hug your teen as soon as s/he arrives home. Check for odors of possible marijuana smoke or alcohol. Remember that cologne or chewing gum may be used to hide the odor.

2. Teenagers under the influence will usually go straight to their room when they arrive home. While making eye contact, hold a brief conversation. Check for bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and their sense of balance.

3. Keep the lights on and stay up until your teenager comes home.

4. Ask your teen for the time and watch the way s/he looks at his or her watch.

5. If your teenager unexpectedly wants to spend the night at a friend’s house, and you have concerns, say no.

6. Maintain a flexible schedule. Be unpredictable so your teen cannot find it easy to plan around your activities.

7. Keep abreast of what your teen is really doing when away from home. Meet their friends and their parents and participate in mutual activities. This is a very effective form of networking.

8. Ask your neighbors to discretely keep an eye on any activities that may take place while you are not home.

9. Check to see how your teens are doing in school. Ask their teachers if there is any cause for concern or if your teen has been behaving differently.

10. After you meet your teenager’s friends, always ask them to identify themselves when they call. Get to know them. Always encourage your teens to invite their friends over while you are home.

Remember, your goal should be to prevent your teenager from feeling free to experiment with drugs or alcohol. The best way to accomplish this is to keep abreast of their activities and friends using the above methods.

Lastly, but most important, talk to your teenager on a regular basis about the drug use she witnesses, and how she feels about it. Also, if she has been approached, have her describe how she handled the situation. Strive for honesty and ask how you can help her to remain drug free.

This article is an excerpt from the book “Realizing the Power of Love,” How a father and teenage daughter became best friends…and how you can too! By V. Michael Santoro, M. Ed and Jennifer S. Santoro. For more information visit their Web site at http://www.dads-daughters.com/

Copyright 2004 by V. Michael Santoro and Jennifer S. SantoroFree Reprint Articles, All Rights Reserved.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Family | No Comments »

Tips To Dealing With Troubled Teens

Sunday, February 15th, 2009

Adolescence is a chaotic time at best. It’s like you go to sleep a child and wake up something else, not quite an adult. Not only are hormonal fluctuations causing your body to change dramatically pretty much overnight, but your place in society is kind of in limbo as well. It’s enough to make even the most well adjusted person question his place in the world. Even though it is a phase in life that every living thing must go through, it’s not at all a smooth transition. Some graduate into adulthood relatively unscathed, but for some it’s the start of a long, tough road that spirals down to a life-long path of despair and destruction.

Of course there’s a certain amount of teenage angst that, though sure to being some upheaval to your home, is perfectly healthy. It’s important to know what to expect so you, as a parent, can detect anything that might be a sign of trouble. Adolescence is when kids start to pull away from their parents emotionally so they can prepare to separate from the family unit and form their identity as an individual. So don’t be overly concerned when your teen starts spending more and more time in her room or out with friends. At times it might even seem like she’s trying to drive you away. Try not to take it too personally. This process may be painful for all involved, but it’s absolutely necessary for your child to grow into a happy, stable adult.

Drama is just a standard part of the teenage years. Surging hormones are making their emotions go crazy. That’s why everything is such a big deal. Be considerate of your kid’s feelings, and know that she is not just being a drama queen. Try not to add to the problem by making her feel like you’re not taking her problem seriously. Yes, she will most likely look back one day and realize how silly she is being, but telling her that right now is only going to make her thing you don’t care about what’s going on with her.

Teenagers tend to gravitate away from the family unit and cling to their group of friends. This is their way of testing how they will interact with society at large. You will probably have concerns about these creatures your child is trying to spend her ever waking hour with. Keep in mind that all these other kids are in the middle of the same turmoil yours is going through. You can visit http://www.troubled-teens-help.com for more information on dealing with troubled teens.

Be patient, and try not to judge her friends by their appearance. Under all those chains, piercings and bright blue Mohawks might be some completely decent kids. They’re just trying to find themselves. What you need to pay close attention to is how these kids behave. Keep an eye out for signs of drug use. Younger kids are probably not going to have the experience or contacts to access a variety of drugs, so you’re probably not going to see needle tracks. Look for more subtle signs like erratic behavior, bloodshot eyes, missing money or other valuables when they leave, paranoia or excessive nervousness. Also be on the lookout for any wounds that might be self-inflicted. Trust your gut. This is when you have to jump in and take action. There are a variety of treatment optionsHealth Fitness Articles, from talk therapy to inpatient hospitals. Keep in touch with what your children are up to so you can catch the warning signs.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Family | No Comments »

Discussing Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Safe Sex With Your Teens

Monday, February 9th, 2009

Nowadays our kids are learning about sex at younger and younger ages and the biggest problem for most parents is that a lot of the information they are receiving is wrong and, quite frankly, downright dangerous. For this reason it is vitally important that parents talk to their children about this whole subject, earlier rather than later, to ensure that their children are safe and do not either end up as parents themselves before their time or with a nasty, if not life-threatening, disease.Now this might seem a little strange, but the first piece of advice for any parent who is about to tackle this subject with their children is to take the time to learn about it yourself. You cannot give your child the right information unless you have it yourself and things have probably changed dramatically since most of us learnt ourselves, possible many years ago. Thankfully, there are several trusted and well respected organizations today that are only too willing to give you the up-to-date information you need and also to provide you with information which you can communicate to your children in a tried and tested form which they will both understand and accept.The accepted wisdom for many years, and still the preferred route for many parents, is simply to teach children abstinence. This is not a good approach and has been shown time and time again to fail. Like it or not as parents we have to accept that there is a good chance that our children are going to have sex before we feel that they are ready to do so and our prime responsibility must be to ensure that they do so safely and responsibly. The important thing to remember is that, whatever our own attitude towards sex, we cannot necessarily expect our teenagers to have the same attitude and can only point them in the right direction. At the end of the day the decision will be theirs and not ours.Many parents feel uncomfortable about talking to their kids about sex and find a raft of excuses to pass the problem off onto somebody else. For example, a lot of parents feel that this is something which should be dealt with in schools or that there is no real need to deal with the subject at all, because kids today can pick up all the information they need from their peers or from sources such as the Internet. This is simply a ‘cop out’ and amounts to nothing more than evading your responsibilities as a parent.You need to ensure that you children get the right information and that they receive it from someone they trust – and that means you. More importantly when your child has a problem, is concerned about something or simply has a question about sex, he needs to know that he can come to you and talk about it openly and easily and without any embarrassment on either side.If you are still feeling nervous about talking to your child about sex then just stop and think for a moment how you would feel if your fifteen year old daughter came home one day and told you that she was pregnant, or your sixteen year old son told you that he had been to the std clinic because he had been having a problem and has been diagnosed with HIV. Dealing with the consequences of your own failure to tackle sex education in a responsible and timely manner can be devastatingHealth Fitness Articles, not least to the children you love so much.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Family | No Comments »

Helpful Hints for Parents About Teens, Dating, and Sexฉ

Monday, February 2nd, 2009

There are many new and wonderful experiences that teens often can’t wait to delve into. For parents, this season of parenting brings excitement for our kids as well as fear about what they are getting themselves into. Dating and Sex is certainly in this category.

There are a lot of understandable questions about this topic – so here we go.

When do you start talking to your kids about sex, contraception, and STD’s?

An important thing to remember is that these topics are best handled in a series of conversations, rather than one big talk. It would be best to start conversations about the body, caring for it, not abusing it, not letting others abuse it, etc very early on – this sets the context for continuing talks about the body. Talking to your child about sex before puberty is imperative, with continuing talks adding to the information you’ve shared. It is also great to start the conversation asking them what they know.

  • “Have you ever wondered how babies get inside the mommy’s tummy?” (obviously for a younger child)

  • “What have you heard about STD’s?”

  • “What kind of stories have you heard at school about sex?”

  • “How far do you think it’s OK to go on a date?”

  • “What would you do if a boy/girl wanted to go farther physically that you were comfortable?”

  • “How will you know on the inside that you’re being pushed to go farther than you’re ready?”

Starting with questions is very important, because it gives you important information about what they know and where they are in their thinking process. This will clue you into misinformation they might have, so that you can gently correct it.

How do you bring up the issue of contraception?

Ideally you would bring it up in a series of conversations you have with your teen. After explaining the biology of sex, as well as your own convictions about where sex fits in the life of a relationship, it would be natural to explain how sex does not have to necessarily result in pregnancy. Pregnancy can be avoided through abstinence, and the chances can be lessened by contraception, which tries to make sure the egg and the sperm do not connect. This can be done by preventing the egg from being present (birth control pills), or the sperm not making it to the egg through condoms, spermicidal, etc.

Since teens do not tend to play out the results of their actions to the end, they need us to help them do so – and this could occur in another one of these conversations. When a person decides to be active sexually, they are also signing up for the possibility of lots of other outcomes, such as:

  • Pregnancy

  • STD’s

  • Regret when and if the relationship ends

  • Possible lowered chance of becoming pregnant at a later date when desired

  • Gossip

Sex is an adult activity, not a recreational sport to be decided in the moment. As their parents, we need to help them think through this decision, as we do the other important decisions in their life.

Other things your teens need to know:

  • Differentiate between dating and sex. Dating does not have to include sex.

  • Accurate information about STD’s (most teens do not know that STD’s can be transmitted by oral sex).

  • They need to decide where their own line is regarding sexual activity. Trying to decide this in the middle of a passionate moment, or when experiencing sexual pressure from a date is not a wise move.

  • They need help paying attention to their own internal world, and their intuition when they feel unsafe or uncomfortable in a situation.

  • They need help coming up with an exit plan when they feel uncomfortable or unsafe, so as not to be caught in an unwanted situation.

  • They need to be able to set limits, stand up for themselves and say, “no”.

hings you need to know:

  • The part of a person’s brain that controls planning, impulse control, and foreseeing consequences is not fully developed until age 25. Therefore, a teen’s ability to think through their decisions, especially in such an emotionally and physically charged area as their budding sexuality is not as developed as they think. They need you to help them think through decisions.

  • They need accurate information – otherwise most of their information comes from their peers and is probably riddled with inaccuracies.

  • It is best to take a “coaching” approach talking to your teens about this and other issues rather than a lecture format. One works, and helps your teen develop the ability to things through issues (coaching) and the other style (lecture) causes kids to shut down and not accept your influence.

  • It is understandable to be tempted to ignore the issue and hope your kids will be OK. Don’t give into this temptation. Instead, get educated and be brave enough to have these important conversations with your teens. Teens whose parents talk to them about dating/sex, are better prepared and happier.

  • The important backdrop is establishing a close relationship with your teen, preferably from way back. Sometimes we can panic about things like dating/sex and come down hard on the rules- without having a strong connected relationship. So, work on listening, spending time, being encouraging, as well as setting guidelines for dating. When a close relationship is in place, teens will be much more likely to take in your influence and advice about dating/sex.

  • Try to be calm and in control of your responses. Overreacting, panicking, and controlling responses will just result in them shutting down and not sharing – and you want to keep the lines of communication open. It is important during these conversations to keep yourself as steady and non–reactive as possible. The bigger picture here is keeping the lines of communication open and to keep them feeling safe to share with you. Try some deep breathing, and coach yourself to stay centered – and bite your lip to keep from saying something reactive out of fear. Even though it’s easy to be scared of what they are getting into, we need to stay the grown-up and keep ourselves centered.

  • Don’t go through this time alone – get support and input from other parents at your teen’s school, your church or synagogue, or neighborhood parents groups. It helps to get ideas, support, and empathy from other parents who understand the challenges you are facing.

Helpful Books

  • Boundaries with Teens by John Townsend

  • Talking to Your Kids About Sex: How to Have a Lifetime of Age-Appropriate Conversations with Your Children About Healthy Sexuality by Mark Laaser

  • How to Talk with Your Child About Sex: It’s Best to Start Early, But It’s Never Too Late – A Step by Step Guide for Parents by Linda and Richard Eyre

  • Why Do They Act That Way? by David Walsh

I hope this has been helpful. Parenting is challengingFree Articles, Your teens need you. You can do it!

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Family | No Comments »

Homes for Troubled Teens: Therapeutic and Residential

Thursday, January 22nd, 2009

Programs, which provide 24-hour supervision, structure and treatment, usually last from three to six months, although teens can attend for a longer period of time if necessary. These programs also work with families to identify issues in the home and address them so that teens have a supportive, structured home to return to after treatment.

There are three main types of residential treatment centers: therapeutic treatment programs, residential drug treatment centers, and combination residential-treatment programs. Each is geared toward helping troubled teens address and conquer a specific problem or multiple problems.  Therapeutic treatment programs assist teens with psychiatric issues or suicidal tendencies, residential drug treatment centers offer specific help for substance abuse or addiction, and combination residential treatment programs address both psychiatric and drug abuse issues.

Although residential treatment centers generally have a high success rate in comparison to other programs, the biggest drawback to this type of placement is usually the cost. They can start at $3,000-$4,000 per month go as high as $8,000 per month, depending on the services offered. Unlike most programs, however, some insurance companies will pay partial tuition for residential treatment centers, although they usually must be accredited programs.

For parents who are interested in a residential treatment center for their troubled teen, there are several things to look for, including a program’s verifiable statistics showing success rates, aftercare services once the teen leaves the center, therapy provided to address a teen’s specific issues.  Other concerns include verifying that a program is licensed; this may affect whether an insurance companies will assist with the cost of tuition.  Finally, confirm whether the staff is properly licensed and trained and whether there are medical doctors on staff.

A teen in crisis has a dramatic and negative impact on the whole familyBusiness Management Articles, but parents who act proactively to seek the appropriate treatment for their troubled teen will realize that lasting solutions are available and can salvage and even strengthen the relationship between parent and teen.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Family | No Comments »

Helping Your Teens To Cope With Peer Pressure

Monday, January 19th, 2009

As parents we are very protective of our children and spend a lot of time trying to keep them from getting themselves into trouble. Amongst other things this means teaching them what we believe to be right so that they do not find themselves giving in to negative peer pressure. But, at the end of the day, kids will be kids and when they get to be teenagers in particular there are going to be times when, despite your best efforts, they are going to get into trouble. So, what can we do to get them back on the rails?The first thing you need to do is to understand the environment in which your teens are operating and that often means thinking back to your own days as a teenager. One common practice for example is to put the blame onto someone else. We are all familiar with the “it’s not my fault I only did what John told me to do and he said it was okay” routine. I do not know of many teenagers who will not use this type of excuse and the moment it appears for the first time is the moment to step in and begin teaching your teens the meaning of responsibility because, the sooner they learn that they must take responsibility for there own actions, and that they will be held accountable for their actions, the better.This is sometimes an easy concept for teenagers to understand, but it is not always easy for them to see how to avoid getting into trouble in these circumstances and one good way around this is to sit down and role play with them. Come up with various different situations and then help them by providing ways in which they can get themselves out of a corner that they are being backed into. Perhaps most important at this stage is also to teach them that, if their friends simply will not listen to them and insist that they join in, then they can always simply walk away and, if necessary, call you to come and pick them up. You will also be surprised how often the simple act of calling a parent ostensibly to ask if something is okay will cause a friend, or group of friends, to change their mind.Your child also needs to understand that your responsibility extends to him and not to his friends and that, regardless of what his friends do, or are allowed to do by their parents, your role in bringing him up means setting rules which you consider to be appropriate to him and which are set out of your concern for him and for his protection. Having laid this framework, you then need to set specific rules and draw boundaries within which he must operate.Finally, remember that not all peer pressure is bad and that interacting with other teenagers is an important part of growing up and that your own teenager can learn a great deal from talking with his friends and watching the actions of those around him. Of course it does help if they have friends who follow the rulesArticle Submission, but you cannot choose your teenagers’ friends for them and will have to be prepared to cope with whatever they throw at you.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Family | No Comments »

« Older Entries