An ounce of prevention is definitely worth a pound of cure. The same goes when raising a teen. It is best to be proactive. Do not wait for your teen to exhibit behavioral problems where you will end up enrolling him in a troubled teen program. Nip the problem in the bud by nurturing a healthy self-image in your teen. This will prepare him to face the tumultuous time ahead, where he can cope with peer pressure, academic stresses, personal...
Is your teen going into a seemingly downward spiral? Is he getting into trouble with authorities? Are there indications that he has substance abuse issues? Does he have serious anger management problems? It may be time to seek professional help or enroll in a troubled teen program. These types of programs can include teen wilderness camps, military-style boot camps and troubled teen residential programs. Each program has a specific set of benefits and treatment modalities. It will be helpful to...
How do we build a healthy relationship with our teen? It is during this tumultuous time in your life that he needs our presence and support. A solid relationship between you and your teen may just be the saving grace that keeps him from giving way to the pressure and stress that he can be faced with. Here are some tips to help you as you parent your teen: - Love your teen and let him know. We know that...
Let’s face it. Teens misbehave. This is often their way of testing the boundaries, as they wrestle towards owning their independence and discovering their identity. There are also temptations to be “accepted” by peers and thus acting in a way that they think looks “cool.” Sometimes, the misbehavior is rooted in hormones going awry or the teen’s inability to cope with the rapid changes in his body. It can be helpful to remember that physiologically, your teen’s brain has not...
It is painful for a parent to see his child going down a downward spiral that is paved by psychological issues, drug and substance abuse or criminal acts. When you feel that you have exhausted all remedies and are ready to give up, remember that this is the time when your teen needs you the most. This may be a time for you to consider outside resources, such as a therapeutic school for teens. This type of troubled teen program...
Stress is a very real threat for teenagers. It comes from a variety of areas – a heavy academic load, family conflicts, the desire to fit in with peers, managing a love and social life, as well as the assault of hormones on their emotions. Teens may be ill-prepared to deal with these stressors. Consequently, stressed out teens are more vulnerable to drug or substance abuse, depression, and the downward slope towards becoming a troubled teen. Undoubtedly, teens need the...
Now that your teen has successfully completed a troubled teen wilderness program or a residential program, what’s next? Graduating from a program does not mean that the work is done. The way towards healing has only just begun. The program will guide the teen towards self-discovery – knowing what his negative behaviors are and why he does it, as well as what to do to positively deal with it. As parents, you have the important role of supporting your teen...
Parenting a troubled teen will most likely bring you at the end of your rope. You do not just need to deal with his behavioral problems and its consequences. You also need to find the kind of help that your child needs – and often, this is more help that you are able to give. You can seriously consider enrolling your teen in a troubled teen program. There are a variety of options that are designed for teens who have...
Stress! As adults, we struggle with stress and we can feel it weighing us down. Our physical health and mental wellbeing also bear the negative impact of stress. Now, imagine your teen being faced with his own stressors. If stress is a problem for us adults, think how much the negative impact will be for a teen who is barely equipped with the emotional and mental maturity to deal cope with stress. And your teen does face stress on a...
This summer, help your troubled teen get back on more even footing towards his journey to maturity. A wilderness therapy program can help your teen realize his value and his positive traits even as it provides him with the opportunity to get away from the pressures, peers and bad influences. The program will usually involve outdoor recreational activities (camping, fishing, hiking and trekking). These activities are aimed towards promoting your teen’s self-esteem and outlook and challenge him to look more...
