Teenagers have so many facets of their lives daily. School and home life may take up the majority of their time, but extracurriculars can be a welcome break from the monotony of these long-hour activities. Sports and clubs may seem like the obvious choice to help your troubled teen stay busy, but another option to consider is having them involved in your church. Being part of a church community is like having a second home, along with a second family,...
Teenagers can be very insecure in their formative years, often wondering who will be there when life gets to be too stressful. For many, a good set of friends may fill some of the roles, but what a troubled teen really needs is a good, loving parent. Parents often say the words of love so often that they become a part of everyday vernacular, and may fall on deaf ears when spoken to a teenager. It's important to take the...
Change is an inevitable part of life, and many adults have had enough change happen through their youth that they have learned to adapt fairly easily. However, teens may have a more difficult time adjusting to major changes, or even smaller ones that affect them directly. If your teen is starting to show troubling signs of not adapting to a change, it may be time to step in and help them to adjust before they spiral out of control. Changing...
Resolutions are a great way to start the year off right with many people. The hope of a new calendar year brings joy to those who may have been struggling through the past one and making attainable goals are an efficient way to make the new year more productive for their lives. If your teen has been struggling, try suggesting some resolutions to them that will not only improve their lives but will also catapult their self-esteem and force them...
The holidays can be an especially hard time for those dealing with depression. With teens, it can mean a considerable “shake up” in the normal routine with lack of school, more time at home with large amounts of family and dangerous social situations. Winter breaks tend to have more frequent social gatherings among teens, which often include underage drinking or substance abuse. If your teen is already heading down a path you are uncomfortable with, you may want to consider...
Shorter, cold days can make anyone get a case of the winter blues. Often the sun feels as if it is gone just as soon as it came up that morning. However, in some cases, the “blues” that accompany this type of weather can take a more extreme turn into depression. This affliction, called Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, can affect anyone. However, it is harder to diagnose in teens simply because it is often blown off to typical “moody”...
The thought of sending your teen to a residential program may seem scary, but outpatient services can be ineffective when dealing with some of the more alarming issues. If you have exhausted everything you can think of, and are still having problems with your troubled teen, considering a residential program can be a lifesaver. There are several programs available to teens, and below are the different types and the advantages of some of these options. Inpatient Therapy Centers. These types...
With the challenges teens are facing these days, it’s easier for them to get caught up in emotional turmoil dealing with everyday situations. However, if your teen is going beyond the normal boundaries of angst, you may have cause for some alarm. Engaging in anger-related behaviors such as aggressive language, violence or self-harm can be worrisome for even the most experienced parent, but there are steps you can take to help you and your teen deal with their anger. Understand...
If you are at your wit’s end trying to find a troubled teen program that will teach your child responsibility, look no further than local babysitting. Not only can babysitting keep your teen occupied outside of school, but it can also teach a troubled teen how to be responsible for another life. It may start out supervised by a parent, or shadowing another experience sitter, but at some point, they will be left on their own to care for a...
If you are concerned that your teen may be getting into trouble after school but don’t want them earning their own disposable income just yet, volunteering can be a great option. Teaching the benefits of giving time in order to serve the needs of others will not only give your child a sense of good purpose but will look great on those tough college applications. There are so many volunteer opportunities that it can be hard to choose the best...
