Runaway Teen: What Parents Can Do


Date: September 14, 2015

It came as a complete shock – your child has run away. Running away may be an “easy way out” at the onset, but teens do not realize the dangers he is exposing himself to when he runs away from home. Runaways expose themselves to prostitution, homelessness, substance abuse, illnesses, sexually-transmitted diseases and physical abuse. Running away may seem attractive and adventurous to a teenager who is overwhelmed with pressure and stress at home, at school and from peers and...

Ineffective Punishments and Why You Should Avoid Them


Date: August 31, 2015

Sometimes temper goes in the way. And often, it’s your temper that is the problem and not your teen’s. When your teen does something that arouses the anger in you, remember that the anger will undermine your relationship and your subsequent discipline of your teen. Correction, not Punishment It seems that a teenager has that amazing knack of knowing which buttons to push – particularly one that guarantees you blowing off your top. At the height of your annoyance or...

How to Know If It’s Time to Enroll Your Teen in a Troubled Teen Program


Date: August 17, 2015

The teenage years are tumultuous times. Many a parent have despaired that their once sweet and loving child has transformed into a broody and even rebellious teenager. But how bad should bad behavior be before you consider more stringent measures? Can you manage your teen’s behavior or is it time to send him to a teen wilderness program? Here are some questions you need to ask to help you decide whether a teen boarding school is a timely intervention: Does...

Exploring Programs and Interventions for Your Troubled Teens


Date: August 3, 2015

Does your teen need more than counseling or detention time? Is he getting into trouble because of behavioral issues or problems with substance abuse? Has your home life degenerated into a battleground because of constant fights and bickering between your teen and other family members? Does your teen burst into bouts of temper? These issues are no small matter. When parents fail to provide timely intervention, a teen with behavioral and emotional issues may pose a danger not just to...

What To Do When Your Teen Becomes Verbally Abusive


Date: July 16, 2015

Oh, to go back to the days when you were teaching your child his first words! Looking – and listening to your teen now – you wonder what happened to that sweet little child who loved to whisper sweet words to your ear. Now, you are grappling with a teenager who has become verbally abusive, not only to you, but to his teachers, his siblings and the people who love and care about him. How do you respond when your...

After the Troubled Teen Program: Now What?


Date: July 1, 2015

Your teen is coming home after completing a teen wilderness program or a troubled teen residential program. There are feelings of relief and joy (“My child is coming home at last!”). However, these are mixed with feelings of trepidation and anxiety (“Will he go back to his old ways? How long will the improvement last?”). The fear that your child’s return home will also signal his return to old attitudes, habits and addictions is understandable. There is a risk that...

When Your Child is the Bully


Date: June 15, 2015

Bullying is not a problem that we can ignore or dismiss. Bullying can come be verbal (insults or name calling), physical (threatening or hurting the victim) and even emotional (exclusion or intimidation). The emotional and physical effects of bullying can cause scars that will take a lot of time to heal. In some cases, bullying has proved fatal when some teens would rather end their life than face another day with the bullies at school. It is important to note...

Choosing a Summer Camp for Troubled Teens


Date: June 1, 2015

If you are worried that the summer and its idle days can only give more time for your teen to get into mischief, why not sign him up for teen summer camp? Some summer camps are especially designed for helping troubled teens deal with behavioral issues and grow towards the right direction. Teen Summer Camps Here are some reasons why this may be the thing to help your child get back on track: - Focus on behavioral issues. These teen...

Considering a Residential Treatment Center for your Troubled Teen


Date: April 30, 2015

The teenage years can be especially tumultuous both to parents and the teenagers themselves. However, the task of raising and disciplining a teenager becomes all the more challenging if you have in your hands what can be considered a troubled teen. When a teen struggles with harmful emotions and behaviors, it may be time to seek help and consider a residential treatment center. Troubled teen boarding school can help teens who have: - Drugs or other substance abuse problems -...

Anger Management: Dealing With Your Angry Teen


Date: April 15, 2015

It’s hard to imagine that your little ray of sunshine has somehow turned into a sullen, moody teenager. As a parent, you become hard put to discipline and manage your child when you are met with a wall of annoyance, antagonism or resentment. The teen’s struggle to transition from childhood into adulthood can seem overwhelming. He is faced with many emotions – pressure from parents and peers, feelings of confusion about his body and shifting roles or the intense emotions...

Troubled Teen Programs

by State

Recent Blog Posts

View All Articles

Listening When They Least Want to Talk: Active Listening Tips for Parents

Has this ever happened to you? Your teen storms into the kitchen, slams the fridge, and mutters something about school being the worst place on earth. Maybe your first instinct Read More

How Parents Can Create Positive Change in Their Teen’s Life

After ten years working in treatment foster care, I’ve met more teens and parents than I can count. Some stories still tug at my heart, some keep me up at Read More

How to Build Open Communication With Your Teen: Creating a Safe Space for Honest Conversations

Imagine your teen sitting just a few feet away, longing to talk—but weighed down by fear, shame, or the worry that no one will really listen. For so many families Read More