| Residential boarding schools for troubled teenagers | | | | feel that they aren't very effective in the long |
| are generally considered to be the "last resort" in | | | | term. Actually, statistics show that boot camp |
| dealing with these angry, defiant kids. You've tried | | | | graduates have higher levels of criminal behavior |
| individual counseling, and family therapy, and group | | | | and arrests in subsequent years. |
| therapy, and Parent Management Training. You've | | | | If the boot camp doesn't work, what about the |
| tried the tips and techniques from a dozen books, | | | | longer-term residential or therapeutic boarding |
| and a dozen "programs" of one kind or another. | | | | school? |
| You've looked at how you parent, and you've | | | | These typically get better report cards. This type |
| looked at your own issues around anger-and you | | | | of boarding school usually has highly qualified |
| haven't found much help. | | | | psychologists and psychiatrists on staff, and they |
| You're still trying to cope with a teenager who | | | | focus on probing beneath the surface to |
| has morphed from a pleasant, sunny member of | | | | determine the causes of the anger and negative |
| the family, into someone you can hardly | | | | behaviors. Because staff is skilled in dealing with |
| recognize-sullen, withdrawn, argumentative, | | | | these types of kids and issues, and because staff |
| seemingly uninterested in being part of the family, | | | | members don't get caught up in the family drama, |
| angry, and defiant. | | | | they can often be very effective. The school |
| If this sounds familiar, maybe it really is time to | | | | endeavors to determine what the anger and |
| consider a boarding school. Maybe a different | | | | defiance is trying to express, whether it's |
| environment with authority figures who aren't so | | | | frustration over peer relationships or difficulties in |
| emotionally involved, and who are trained and | | | | learning; feelings of rejection; feelings of |
| experienced in dealing with the issues of teenage | | | | powerlessness; or whatever. |
| anger, rebellion, and defiance can make a | | | | The school will impose structure and limits which |
| difference. | | | | are appropriate to the individual and the situation. |
| They go by a number of different names: | | | | The child gradually learns to hold himself |
| residential boarding schools, therapeutic boarding | | | | accountable, to take responsibility for his own |
| schools, emotional growth boarding schools, boot | | | | actions, to stop blaming others, and to act |
| camps, wilderness camps, and so forth. | | | | appropriately. |
| Boot camps and wilderness camps generally run | | | | These schools usually involve, in fact they require, |
| for about 3-8 weeks. They tend to focus on | | | | consistent parent involvement so that parents |
| very strict discipline and lots of physical activity, | | | | and other family members can work through their |
| and less on understanding the teen's issues, or | | | | issues at the same time their child is progressing |
| helping him to deal with them. Often there is a lot | | | | at school. For those parents who can afford this |
| of screaming and yelling on the part of the | | | | option, it can be a lifesaver. |
| instructors, just like a traditional military boot | | | | It goes without saying that you should check out |
| camp. | | | | any prospective schools thoroughly. A web search |
| The difference is that the soldier or marine wants | | | | for "therapeutic boarding schools" will turn up |
| to be in boot camp, and he understands that the | | | | dozens of prospects, some of which will have |
| harsh discipline is just part of the process. He | | | | payment plans that will make the financial |
| knows that in a battlefield situation, without | | | | investment more manageable. An organization |
| discipline and strict following of orders, people can | | | | called "NATSAP" has some useful information, and |
| die. On the other hand, a teenager sent away to | | | | an extensive list of questions you may want to |
| a boot camp, who doesn't want to be there, and | | | | ask when you interview the schools. |
| who is already resistant to authority is likely to | | | | There are no guarantees, of course, but perhaps |
| leave even more rebellious and resistant to | | | | it will be encouraging to know that most angry |
| authority. | | | | teenagers, even the ones who require a boarding |
| For this reason, and also because in many cases | | | | school, work their way out of the negativity, and |
| the teenager's negative behaviors get reinforced | | | | become responsible and law-abiding adults. |
| by the other teens at the camp, most authorities | | | | |