How To Get Help For Your Troubled Teen
Of course, the teenage years can be difficult ones. However, if you have come to the realization that your son or daughter is having more challenges than you consider to be normal, you may be wanting to step in assist him or her. From help at home to finding a boarding school for troubled youth, here are some ideas for you to consider as you help your child to progress.
Help At Home - Your child may feel most comfortable when surrounded by that with which he or she is most familiar. Build from those familiar every day things.
- Ask yourself if you are spending too much time away from home. If you find that to be true, consider being at home more. Sometimes just your presence is a comforting aspect for a teenager who is fighting things like depression.
- Are you concerned that your child is neglecting old friends and replacing them with people you don't trust? Think about involving the parents of kids you trust and asking them to make visits to your home. Sometimes just the familiarity of being with old friends will be a great moral booster for your child. In addition, you'll be getting support you need at the same time.
- Have you considered home schooling your child? The demands of school work and extra-curricular activities might be just too much for your son or daughter. Home schooling with an accredited curriculum might relieve a great deal of stress.
Help Away From Home - If you have done all you can at home, consider getting help from professionals.
- Talk to your clergy person or to a school counselor to get names of professionals who can work with your child. That person can determine the root of the problem and can set up a schedule of frequent counseling sessions.
- It may be that your teen would benefit from attending a boarding school that caters to troubled teens.
- Therapeutic schools for troubled teens have staff members that are especially trained to work with children who have special needs.
- You will more than likely be free to visit your child on designated days, and he or she will probably be allowed to return home for weekends or for special holidays. The staff will be able to assess when your child is ready for these visits.
Consider keeping a journal and encourage your child to keep a journal, too. The journal will be a good way to record progress that your child makes. If you have more questions, reach out to programs like Youth Programs For Troubled Teens.