| Are you trying to cope with a troubled teen? | | | | rules of behaviour you have set, to see whether |
| Most teenagers go through a difficult period, it's | | | | you are being consistent in punishment when |
| part of becoming independent, but when their | | | | those rules are broken. Children of any age will |
| behavior becomes anti-social, their schooling is | | | | push boundaries if they think they can get away |
| suffering or they seem unduly depressed, then | | | | with it. If they know you are soft but school is |
| you should think about taking action. If your | | | | tough, they will act accordingly. |
| troubled teen seems depressed and lacking self | | | | If your troubled teen is having problems at school, |
| motivation, but is unwilling to talk to you, then | | | | whether it is falling grades, truancy or getting |
| they may need counselling. | | | | expelled, obviously the first thing to do is try to |
| An out of control teen also needs to be given the | | | | find the cause and a possible solution before you |
| opportunity to discuss any issues they may have | | | | need to resort to more drastic measures, such as |
| before more drastic measures are taken, such a | | | | a boarding school for troubled teens, a boot camp |
| school for troubled teens, a boot camp or a | | | | or a troubled teen program. |
| troubled teen program. As parents, none of us | | | | A depressed teen needs help urgently before the |
| are perfect and you may have to examine how | | | | situation worsens. Even if your teen is willing to |
| you are disciplining your teen, to see if it is | | | | talk to you, they may not fully understand why |
| consistent and appropriate. It is not an easy to | | | | they are feeling as they do. If you are unable to |
| remain calm and rational when dealing with a | | | | resolve the problem, speak to your physician. He |
| troubled teen whose behaviour seems totally | | | | or she may advise on a professional who knows |
| irrational, but that is what you must do. All families | | | | how to find the root cause. |
| need a set of rules and values that should be | | | | Most parents will tell you how awful the teen |
| adhered to, if the rules are broken, the | | | | years are, but fortunately most troubled teens |
| punishment must be consistent. | | | | develop into well adjusted adults. If there is a real |
| Firstly you need to look at your teen's behaviour | | | | problem, the sooner you intervene with the right |
| and examine the form that it is taking. Are they | | | | guiding hand, the better their chances. |
| out of control at home but performing well at | | | | This article is for information only. You should |
| school and not getting into trouble with the law? If | | | | always consult your doctor before commencing |
| that is the case, then you should be looking at the | | | | any treatment and no liability is accepted. |