Parenting Younger Troubled Teens

Are you looking for help for a younger troubled teen? Adolescence in our culture is a time of enormous emotional as well as physical changes. Although each child is an individual and grows and develops in his or her own unique way, there are some predictable stages. When parents know what to expect, they can provide better help and support as their child moves through this often emotionally tumultuous time.

Constructive Activities may sometimes help teens get into good activities and out of poor or innapropriate ones. Some psychologists say the principle job of parents is to help their children become themselves-to discover their passions and their abilities and to put them to use in making the world a better place.

Once a wise father had a teenage son who was interested in flight. The man encouraged his boy to check a book out of the library on gliding. After the boy read the book, the father took his son to the airport where he arranged for his son to go gliding with an instructor. What a great way for a teen to progressively explore his talents.

Expect that your teens will continue to be emotional and present you with the unexpected. Parents can play a key role by continuing to love their young teenagers no matter what happens, by being realistic �veterans� who have learned some things along the way, by comforting them when they are hurting, by supporting the positive, by setting limits which may be fought against and yet appreciated, by encouraging their children to continue to pursue new experiences and relationships even though they may be painful, by espousing values which will sooner or later become their children�s values, by not preaching or using their own experience as a �good� or �bad� example, and by reminding their child of the bigger picture, including preparing and supporting them as they attempt to move to the next stage of life � young adulthood.

Other adults � aunts and uncles, parents of friends, teachers, coaches, employers� also can be very important supports. These relationships, being less complex than parent relationships, can give examples of other relationship possibilities, contribute to a a young teenagers confidence about being able to function and be appreciated �out in the world,� and provide a helping hand as she moves toward young adulthood.

Programs that Can Help Younger Troubled Teens

Programs that help treat troubled teens under 12 include boarding schools, residential treatment centers, wilderness programs, and boot camps. There are only a handful of residential type programs available to help younger troubled teens. Admissions counselors will be able to help guide you through their policies for accepting teens under 12. You will want to make sure that you speak with parents of younger teens that have experience with the program to help ensure your teens fit.