In the era of near constant distraction from the technology of social media, text messaging, and emails, the art of active listening is being lost. This is especially true for today’s youth, as many troubled teen services have begun teaching courses on becoming an active listener. It’s important for parents, teachers, and anyone investing time into teenagers’ lives to learn how to communicate sensitively and effectively. This will help to dramatically reduce frustration while increasing upbeat, constructive interactions. Active vs....
Are you seriously thinking about enrolling your teen in a teen wilderness program? It may be just what your teen needs as he struggles through the tumultuous teenage years. If your child has been indulging in risky and self-destructive behavior, he may need some intervention such as a troubled teen program. The program can be a dramatic and therapeutic experience that can help your teen sort out his issues. Here are some things to think about: Usual enrolment in a...
“Caution: Work in Progress” This may very well be the sign that should be placed on teenagers – giving some level of comfort to baffled parents. What happened to their sweet, acquiescent toddler who seemed to have transformed into a sullen, irrational and rebellious teen? Under Construction Scientific research indicates that there is a physiological reason. According to a paper by the American College of Pediatricians1 , the teenage brain still has a lot of growing up to do. This...
Parents may not realize it, but their teens do get stressed. In fact, the teenage years may be one of the most stressful times in a person’s life. The teen has to deal with changes in their body and emotions, as well as other life issues. Often, a teen is not yet mature and equipped with the coping tools to help him when the stressors threaten to overwhelm. As parents, we can help our teens by being on the lookout...
Is your teen an angry one? Often, teens experience a barrage of emotions and feel these emotions even more intensely. They may swing from being ecstatic to disappointed, energetic one moment to sullen in the next. However, in some extremes, a teen may exhibit more than the normal level of anger. It is important to recognize that a teen is not yet mature enough to handle his emotions. The area of the brain that regulates self-control, discipline or decision-making has...
It is one of a parent’s fears – to discover that your teen has become hooked on drugs and is on a downward spiral towards self-destruction. A teen is especially vulnerable. He is struggling with his sense of self, is yearning for the acceptance of his peers and validation from loved ones and can be curious enough to try dangerous substances. As a parent, you need to be alert for red flags and telltale signs that your teen may be...
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...
