Help Your Teen Identify Their Stressors

Teenagers face a variety of stressors. To help them manage their stress efficiently, you must first identify what triggers it. Never assume your adolescent child is aware of what stresses them out, regardless if it’s already evident to you and others. Sit down with your teen and allow them to communicate their feelings and thoughts. Ask them open-ended questions to help you gain more insights into what might be causing their behavior. 

Brainstorm Sustainable Stress-Management Solutions

While there are multiple ways to release or reduce stress, not all stress-relieving techniques are applicable to your teenage child. Talk to your teen and identify activities that can help reduce their stress. For instance, if your teenager loves music, sign them up for voice or piano lessons. Look for a trusted school like South Shore Piano School and take advantage of their free trial lessons. Music can be therapeutic for teenagers and can help regulate their emotions. 

Establish Screen Time Limits

The online world can be toxic, especially for anxious teenagers with low self-esteem. While you can’t forbid your teen from not using their devices, it would help if you discuss with them the dangers of excessive social media use. Set limits for screen time at home and what digital detox can do for their emotional and mental health. 

Encourage Honest Communication

While effective communication is essential to helping your stressed-out teen, it is often challenging, especially if your teenage child tends to shut down when talking to adults. If they’re hesitant to share their feelings, do not force them, but remind your teen that you’re always there to listen. If they decide to communicate with you, listen with a non-judgemental ear and avoid giving advice unless they ask you. 

Model Stress-Management Habits

As parents and adults with years of experience managing stress, it is important you model effective habits and behavior to your teen. When you’re stressed, show your adolescent child how you deal with it and what effective techniques work for you. 

In addition to demonstrating how you efficiently manage your stress, you should also model healthy self-care habits such as eating healthily, sleeping well, exercising regularly, and practicing mindfulness. 

Be Mindful of What They Consume

Like adults, some teenagers also tend to eat when stressed. Unfortunately, they eat unhealthy comfort foods that can amplify their stress levels. It is essential you fill your pantry with healthy snacks such as fresh fruits, hummus and pita, protein bars, fresh vegetables and dip, whole grain bread and peanut butter, and fresh vegetables. 

Endnote

Stress management can be challenging for some teenagers. While these tips can help you help your stressed-out child, do not hesitate to seek professional help, especially if you see signs of mental distress. 

Also read:

How Cell-Phones Effect Teenage Mental Health

The Goals of Therapeutic Boarding Schools

The post How to Help Your Teen Manage Stress first appeared on Help Your Teens.

From teenagers to young adults, more parents are complaining about their child’s lack of motivation, underachieving and under-performing — especially when it pertains to their schoolwork.

Laziness has become the new normal for some teens and it’s extremely challenging for families.

Is your lazy teenager glued to a screen? Maybe they’re addicted to video gaming or have become withdrawn over the past few years.

Has your young adult decided they don’t want to attend college (which is perfectly fine — as long as they have a plan), that doesn’t include sitting at home doing nothing.

Is your high school student capable of getting good grades, however now failing most of their classes or not going to school at all?

Maybe your entitled and lazy teenager decided they didn’t need to get a part-time job, it’s easier and nicer to stay home.

What can parents do to help motivate this new generation of laziness?

First ask yourself these questions:

-Do you suspect your teen is struggling with depression or a mental illness?
-Do you suspect your teen is doing drugs that is changing their behavior?
-Do you suspect your teen is being influenced by outside peers?

Although parents want to find ways to motivate their lazy teenager, it’s also just as important to find out why they are withdrawn and not interested in school and other activities.

Teenage mental health

This can be a major factor, since 2020 depression and anxiety has doubled in teens and young people. Changes in social habits include pulling away from school, friends, and activities that your teen has enjoyed participating in in the past could be warning sign that there could be underlying mental health concerns such as generalized anxiety, social phobias, and depression.

If your teen seems stressed or if there’s been a significant change in their behavior it’s best to address it in conversation with them first. It may not necessarily mean a psychiatric diagnosis like depression or anxiety, but it could still be a sign that there is something going on in their life that is acting as some type of stressor.

It can be difficult to convince them to seek counseling, however it’s imperative that you continue to keep your lines of communication open to help persuade them to get into therapy.

Teenage substance abuse

One teenager issue that is of greatest concern to parents today is vaping and smoking pot — regularly, as this is causing most young people to lack motivation, lose interest in their activities, as well as the risks to their health. Several media reports now also claim that drug dealers lace cannabis with fentanyl. 

It’s not only pot, it’s time to check your medicine cabinets. More teens are now taking Xanax, Benadryl and other other-the-counter and prescription medicines from home. Young adults and teenagers alike are using these medications to self-medicate and sadly, in some cases it can easily turn to drug addiction.

Is your teenager drinking? Alcohol is the most widely used substance among America’s youth, and drinking by young people poses enormous health and safety risks.

Teenage substance abuse can result into a person that not only lacks motivation, but also needs teen intervention — immediately. 

Peer pressure

Thanks to the internet and social media, it’s not only peer pressure in-real-life that parents need to be concerned about — their teenagers are now being constantly faced with a false sense of reality online.

Dealing with your teen hanging out with the wrong crowd at school is challenging, you can continue to have conversations (gently) about your concerns, and wait for the day they finally realize you were right. However, when it comes to online influences, it’s a completely different story. Both teenagers and young adults alike can be attracted the life of these social media influencers or people online that are less than ethical.

By staying glued to their screens, they lack motivation for just about everything else in their life. Give them ways to detox from their digital lives.

3 Ways to deal with a lazy teen:

1. Communication: Have an open dialogue with your teen, listening is more important than talking. Short (but meaningful) conversations can build strong relationships. Showing your teen you care about their thoughts and opinions during a conversation will give them more confidence to be open and honest with you.
2. Commitment: Teenagers need boundaries. Parents need to set ground rules, this includes assigning chores to your teen will teach them responsibility and help them practice following through on commitments. Chores will also force your teen to get off the couch and get things done.
3. Motivation: Teens need encouragement like we all do — using a reward system for some extra chores they can do. Most teens are looking to earn a little extra cash, especially if they do not receive an allowance from their parents. Provide opportunities for your teen to earn some side money by hiring her to complete special projects around the house or in the neighborhood. This will also help get your teen off the couch and on to doing something productive.

In conclusion, if you are dealing with a lazy teenager, be sure to check in with your teen’s emotional wellbeing and let them know you can talk with them.  Understanding if there is something deeper going on will likely boost their moral and get them off the couch. Be sure to seek professional help if needed.

Also read:

How Art Therapy Helps Struggling Teens

Purpose of Boarding Schools for Troubled Teens

What Causes of Teenage Mental Health Issues?

The post How to Deal With a Lazy Teenager? first appeared on Help Your Teens.

Mood swings are a natural part of growing up and there are ways to help your teen work through them. As a parent, we are all too familiar with these feelings of ups and downs — we have been there. It’s important to realize this can be normal for your teenager too.

Stay calm, and talk about it

It may seem difficult at the time, however calmly encourage your teen to try to identify what is causing them to have these negative feelings. Point out that if they don’t know why they’re sad or angry, it’s okay and the feeling will pass. Let them know that they are not alone, and that this happens to most people.

Learning coping skills

Learning coping skills to deal with emotions is imperative as we all get older. Over the years, we learn what triggers our anger or sadness and figure out ways to control it that so we can function. Teens don’t know how to do that yet. It is something they need to learn.

When the situation is calm, role play through a few scenarios. Show them how to count back from 10 until they calm down or the positive effects that going for a walk or listening to music can have. Model these healthy behaviors when you are in a bad mood. It is not only good for your own health but sets an example for your teen.

Give them space

It’s okay to give your teen a little space to cool down. If they need a good cry or to pace around their room with the door closed, give them the privacy to do it. Offer comfort and let your teen know you are there if they need to talk.

Find healthy interests or hobbies

By encouraging your teen to get involved in hobbies or activities that interest them, it can help them take their mind of their stress and sadness. Hobbies can help your teen’s mood stay on an even keel and teach them coping skills and resilience and channel negative energy into something positive.

Anything can become a hobby and it may be something they enjoy for a lifetime.

Also read:

5 Benefits of Therapeutic Boarding Schools

Where to Send My Troubled Teen

The post How to Deal With A Moody Teenager first appeared on Help Your Teens.

Unveiling the Layers: The Complexities of Teen Disorders

Teen disorders, ranging from anxiety and depression to substance abuse and eating disorders, present multifaceted challenges that can profoundly affect a teen’s emotional and psychological state.

Understanding these disorders’ root causes, symptoms, and impact is essential in providing the necessary support and interventions to help our teens navigate these turbulent waters.

The Journey of Understanding: Storytelling and Empathy

Sharing Stories: Each teen’s journey is unique, filled with personal struggles, triumphs, and setbacks. Creating a secure space for teens to share their experiences and emotions can foster a sense of connection and understanding that paves the way for healing and growth.

Empathy in Action: Walking in our teen’s shoes, empathizing with their struggles, and validating their feelings are powerful tools in building trust and fostering open communication. By demonstrating empathy, we create a nurturing environment that supports teens in facing challenges with courage and resilience.

Strategies for Support: Nurturing Growth and Resilience

The Power of Communication: Open Dialogues and Honest Conversations

Active Listening: Bringing the time to listen attentively and without judgment allows teens to feel heard and understood, enhancing the quality of communication and strengthening the parent-child bond.

Setting Boundaries: Establishing clear boundaries and guidelines around behavioral expectations and support systems provides structure and guidance for teens as they navigate difficult situations.

Educational Resources: Equipping ourselves with knowledge about teen disorders and accessing reputable resources empowers us to provide informed guidance, support, and interventions tailored to our teen’s needs.

Building a Strong Foundation: Cultivating Resilience and Emotional Well-Being

Self-Care Practices: Encouraging healthy coping mechanisms, such as mindfulness, exercise, and expressive arts, cultivates emotional well-being and resilience in teens facing mental health challenges.

Professional Guidance: Seeking the help of mental health professionals, therapists, or counselors can offer specialized interventions and treatment strategies to address teen disorders effectively.

Embracing Growth: Empowering Teens to Thrive

As we navigate the complexities of supporting teens through mental health challenges and disorders, it is essential to approach each situation with compassion, patience, and a commitment to empowering our teens to thrive. By understanding the nuances of teen disorders, fostering open communication, and implementing effective support strategies, we can create a nurturing environment that uplifts and guides our teens toward healing, growth, and resilience.

Equipping teens with the tools and resources needed to navigate the challenges of academic life and personal growth is essential. Accessing a comprehensive letter of intent for school template can streamline crafting impactful documents highlighting a teen’s strengths and aspirations. Visit EasyLawtemplate to explore a valuable resource supporting your teen’s educational journey.

In the intricate landscape of adolescence, teenagers often grapple with challenges impacting their mental health. Parents and caregivers must provide support with empathy, understanding, and practical strategies to help teens thrive.

Understanding the complexities of teen disorders, such as anxiety and depression, is essential for offering the necessary support. Creating a safe space for teens to transfer their experiences and emotions fosters connection and growth while practicing empathy and validation builds trust and resilience.

Also read:

5 Benefits of Therapeutic Boarding Schools

Where to Send My Troubled Teen

Image provided and purchased through FreePik (Kateryna Adkham)

The post Understanding and Addressing Disorders in Teens first appeared on Help Your Teens.

In this blog post, we’ll explore practical steps and strategies to help teens navigate the aftermath of a car accident, emphasizing the importance of providing reassurance, guidance, and resources during this challenging time.

Ensure Safety and Medical Attention

The immediate priority after a car accident is to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone involved. If your teen is involved in a car accident, instruct them to stay calm and check for injuries. If there are any injuries, no matter how minor they may seem, encourage your teen to seek medical attention promptly. Even if injuries are not apparent, it’s advisable to undergo a medical evaluation to rule out any underlying issues.

Stay Calm and Provide Emotional Support

After the initial shock of the accident subsides, it’s essential to provide emotional support and reassurance to your teen. Remain calm and composed, and listen attentively to their feelings and concerns.

Acknowledge their emotions and validate their experiences, letting them know that it’s normal to feel shaken up after a car accident. Reassure your teen that accidents happen, and what’s most important is their safety and well-being.

Contact Authorities and Exchange Information

Instruct your teen to contact the appropriate authorities, such as law enforcement or emergency services, to report the accident. Encourage them to exchange information with the other parties involved, including names, contact details, insurance information, and vehicle registration numbers. Remind your teen to avoid admitting fault or making any statements that could be used against them later.

Document the Accident Scene

Encourage your teen to document the accident scene by taking photographs or videos of the vehicles involved, any visible damage, road conditions, and surrounding areas. Documenting the scene can provide valuable evidence for insurance claims and legal proceedings. Additionally, advise your teen to collect contact information from any witnesses who may have observed the accident.

Notify Insurance Company and Legal Representation

Once the immediate aftermath of the accident is addressed, assist your teen in notifying their insurance company about the incident. Provide them with guidance on how to file a claim and what information to provide to the insurance adjuster. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you may also consider consulting with a qualified car accident attorney in Kansas City  to explore your legal options and protect your teen’s rights.

Follow-Up Care and Support

In the days and weeks following the accident, continue to provide ongoing support and assistance to your teen as they navigate the aftermath. Encourage them to attend any follow-up medical appointments and adhere to any treatment recommendations.

Monitor their emotional well-being and offer opportunities for open communication and reflection on the accident. Additionally, consider enrolling your teen in a defensive driving course or additional driver education programs to help them feel more confident behind the wheel.

By prioritizing safety, providing emotional support, documenting the accident scene, and seeking appropriate medical and legal assistance, you can help your teen navigate the aftermath of a car accident with resilience and confidence. 

Also read:

How to Help My Rude Teenager

Dealing with An Entitled Teenager

The post How to Help a Teen After Their First Car Accident first appeared on Help Your Teens.

Is your teen’s explosive behavior destroying your family? Maybe you removed their smartphone, possibly shut-down the gaming devices — or told them they could not attend a party and suddenly your home becomes a warzone.

Parents today feel like they are walking on eggshells when they are dealing with an out-of-control teenager that can become explosive when they don’t get their own way or feel mistreated.

Sometimes explosive behavior serves a different purpose: intimidation. A teen may learn that by breaking things, punching holes in the wall, and behaving violently, they can frighten a parent into doing what they want.

After-all, they know mom or dad are likely exhausted and will eventually concede since they do not feel like fighting.

Breaking the Cycle of an Explosive Teen

If your teen has been showing escalating negative behavior, you may suspect that he will become aggressive in the future. There are some things that you can do to help your teen choose alternatives to aggression.

There are several things that can increase the likelihood that adolescents will be aggressive. Although these things don’t ensure aggression, they can make it more probable that adolescents will choose aggressive responses to frustration. Understanding the risk factors for violence can give you a place to start thinking about making changes.

According to the surgeon general’s report on youth violence, these factors include:

• Aggression between parents (in two-parent homes)
• Single parent households
• Parent having been a victim of abuse as a child
• Very overprotective parents
• Parents who are “best friends” with their child
• Drug and/or alcohol use in the child
• Culture where it is believed that men are supposed to control the family
• Teens who do not take responsibility for their behavior
• Parents who do not hold teens responsible for their own behavior

Understand that teens who do not know how to solve problems seek control by acting out, being physically or verbally abusive, being destructive/explosive, or abusing substances. They do not know how to make friends or communicate to meet their needs. So, they turn to other ways to get their needs met—they turn to drugs and alcohol and inappropriate behavior.

How to curb and cope with destructive outbursts

Especially in today’s age of technology and entitlement, helping your teen manage their emotions can be challenging. Parenting an explosive teen, it is important to help them develop coping skills to manage their own emotions, especially when they feel themselves beginning to rage.

Here are some ways to help you manage your own emotions while helping your teen learn to manage theirs.

1. Don’t be a parent in denial.

Many parents will make excuses for their teen’s behavior, since it is difficult to accept their once good teen is acting out so irrationally. Whether you want to blame it on a negative peer group, maybe too much screen-time or possibly substance use – the fact is your teen is choosing this explosive behavior.

2. Stay calm.

Likely easier said than done, especially as your teen is going into a rage and becoming explosive as they destroy property in the house, such as punching walls or breaking doors. As difficult as it can be, it is imperative you remain calm — confronting your teen with more anger will only escalate the situation.  If you lower your voice and speak more slowly, your teen may do the same because emotions are contagious.

3. Positive and encouraging outlets.

If your teen is quick to anger when they are not getting their own way or for other reasons that is leading to destruction, finding them positive outlets can help them develop coping skills and mechanisms to deal with stress management.  These can include working with animals, volunteering, gardening, art and music and even boxing. Also, if your teen is old enough, having a job is a great way to help them learn patience, responsibility, and empathy.

4. Seeking outside help.

Dealing with a destructive teenager is overwhelming and extremely challenging. It can not only destroy your home (literally) — but it can also ruin your family life in general. In many situations your teen will refuse to see a therapist or even the school counselor.  Some parents have had to have their teen admitted to a local hospital when they have become extremely out-of-control that a parent has feared for either their life or the life of their teen.

Also read:

Purpose of a Therapeutic Boarding School

5 Benefits of Therapeutic Boarding Schools

The post How to Deal With Explosive Teen Behavior first appeared on Help Your Teens.

Teenage manipulation is also a form of bullying. Parenting teens is challenging today, handling with a manipulative teenager adds a level of difficulty and stress to everyone involved.

Not only are young people capable of bullying their friends, but many teens also bully their parents. Teen manipulation can make you feel helpless and insecure about your parenting.

To keep everyone emotionally healthy, it is crucial to identify this behavior and handle it before it impacts your parenting and family.

5 Ways Your Teen Manipulates You

1. Emotional Blackmail. Teenagers often need and want things from their parents, and they may use your feelings to control your behavior. For example, a teenager may emotionally blackmail you by acting sad or withholding affection until they get their way.

2.  Anger and explosive behavior. They may throw things, get into a heated argument with you, or scream – hoping this will change your mind. The behavior is like throwing a tantrum on a bigger scale. Teen aggression is common when teens do not get their own way.

3.  The guilt-trip. When your teen says things to you like “you love my sister more than you love me,” they usually don’t mean it. Teens use guilt-tripping  to manipulate you. In extreme cases, they will threaten to commit suicide if they don’t have their way.

 4.  Planned out lying. Teens can manipulate your through lies. They will promise to do something you want them to do if you allow them to do what they want. For example, if you allow them to go to the mall for extra time, they will promise to do extra chores. When you allow them, they forget their promise.

5. Broken record. There is nothing like breaking a parent down when your teen uses repetition to wear you down and make you give in. To break this habit, stand firm in your decision. Be prepared, come up with a reply and repeat it every time the situation demands it.

3 Ways to Handle Teen Manipulation

No one enjoys dealing with teen manipulation. If you’re a parent going through this, you’re probably feeling angry, sad, confused, or even betrayed. It is always helpful to talk to your spouse, partner, friend or even a therapist to sort out your feelings in addressing these behaviors in your teen.

It can be tricky to crack down on your teen’s manipulative behavior because you want them to be happy. Nevertheless, sometimes it is crucial to put your foot down and lay the rules down. Here are some that could be useful:

1. Set Boundaries

Like with smartphone contracts, young people want boundaries. It is important to be clear and concise on your house rules (boundaries) and what your expectations are, as well as what their consequences will be.

It’s common for teens to test boundaries to see where there’s room to expand or break them. Intervening immediately is often the most effective approach:

• Communicate the boundaries again.
• Discuss the wrongdoing or disrespectful behaviors.
• Enforce the consequences.

Clear communication is often beneficial in setting rules, as well as respecting your teen’s personal boundaries.

2. Consistence Consequences

If your teen is constantly manipulating you or lying to you, they need to know it is not acceptable and won’t be tolerated. It is important to be calm, but firm and clear with communication about their behavior and the consequences. It is always helpful to talk to your spouse, partner, friend or even a therapist to sort out your feelings in addressing these behaviors in your teen.

Not enforcing the consequences you have laid out may encourage manipulative behavior, so it is important to consistently follow through. Not addressing manipulative behavior in teens can encourage a pattern that may impact their future adult relationships.

3. Parent and Teen Relationship

Manipulative behavior is not usually something (most) teenagers intentionally engage in. They use it because (at that moment) they feel it is the only way to get their needs met.

If you begin to create a positive, healthy relationship with your teenager — they will be able to speak more freely about their needs and feelings. It is likely you will see an improvement in their behavior.

Actions speak louder than words are also true in strengthening relationships with your teenager. Here are some ways you can start building your bond:

• Make time to have coffee or lunch together
• Check in with each other regularly
• Be respectful of boundaries and of each other
• Find volunteer work together
• Cook meals together

Working on positive reinforcement and a healthy relationship is much easier and more effective than punishing negative behavior.

Also read:

Goals of Boarding Schools for Troubled Teens

Why Therapeutic Boarding Schools Work When Home Therapy Fails

Causes of Teenage Mental Health Issues

The post How to Handle Teen Manipulation first appeared on Help Your Teens.

A simple online search of “therapeutic boarding schools“ yields over 3 million results! Since 2001 we’ve been helping parents navigate this troubled teen industry and find safe and qualified therapeutic boarding schools for troubled teens.

If your teen is escalating in risky behavior, possibly struggling with depression and anxiety, maybe hooked on social media, gaming or their cell-phone while becoming withdrawn from reality — even skipping school or refusing to attend at all, it might be time to consider alternatives.

Local resources

Maybe you have tried therapy or the school counselor — your teen refused to attend or wasn’t engaging. Outpatient treatment has failed. School setting is not working, you may have tried a short-term hospital stay that was unsuccessful. Now it’s time consider outside resources to find help for your troubled teen.

3 Steps to Find the Right Therapeutic School for Your Teen

Once you’ve determined your teen needs a therapeutic boarding school, now the challenge is finding the right one for their individual needs.

1. Location. 

Almost every parent has the same response, they want a program close to home. It’s probably one of the most common mistakes a family can make in selecting the right therapeutic program for your troubled teen.

This is a major emotional (and sometimes) financial decision — in our decades of experience, we urge parents to choose a program that fits your child’s needs (emotionally, physically and academically), rather than geographically. Of course, this is within reason. Since the pandemic, it’s understandable that some don’t want to travel to the other side of the country, however you can be more reasonable when it comes to choosing residential treatment. It’s always wise to find a program outside of your state — without going to the other side of the country.

This helps remove your teen’s temptation to runaway since they are less familiar with the area. We’ve seen parents choose local programs or places their family is familiar with — the teen will run, and this sets their progress back. When this happens, it prolongs their stay at the school and you have to hit the reset button again. There are no winners.

If you’re concerned about family therapy, you will have virtual sessions and parenting workshops which are typically every other month or every 90 days. Check with the program.

2. Money.

This is a reality of life. No matter what your income status, there is help for your teenager — this is information about searching for schools and programs within your financial limits.

Many of these websites are you glancing at don’t give you tuition costs. Some are third-party sites, hoping you will bite so they can acquire your email or phone number and send you lists of programs they are affiliated with — financially. This is not in the best interest of your child, so it’s best to be very careful as you put your information online.

The average tuition starts at $9000 monthly and up. The duration of most programs for young people (12-17) years of age is 6-9-12 months, depending on your child’s needs. Shorter term programs (such as wilderness) will likely give you short-term results. This money can be better spent on a long-term program with long lasting behavioral changes.

Contact your insurance provider. Most PPO’s will provide out-of-network allowances. This helps pay for a portion of these programs (the clinical component). Most of these programs will run a courtesy verification of benefits (VOB) for you. This gives you a strong determination of what will be covered. If you have HMO, state (Medicaid) or Tricare — they typically require you to stay in-network. Contact them directly and ask them for in-network providers. You will have better financial coverage by doing this.

Review our financial page for more options.

3. A.C.E. Factor.

Determining the right placement for your troubled teen is based on what we have developed as the A.C.E. factor:

A.  Accredited academics.  Whatever school/program you are interviewing, be sure they are accredited academically. Many of these teens entering these programs are typically very smart students yet underachieving in school. It’s important they continue their education. Although we share with parents that their emotional growth is priority in these schools, academics is still important. You can ask to see a copy of their accreditation.

C. Credentialed clinical team.  Teenage mental health is a priority. Placing a distressed young teenager into a therapeutic boarding school is hard for the entire family, although therapy typically didn’t work at home, when placed into a new environment, removed from the stressors and triggers of home (as well as peer influences and devices) — the student is able to focus on themselves through both individual and group therapy. Check the credentials of the clinical team, this is also imperative if you are using your insurance. If they are not credentialed, insurance likely won’t cover it.

E. Enrichment programs. These programs are so important to help troubled teens. Enrichment programs are designed to stimulate your child in a positive direction, build self-worth to make better choices and develop coping skills. All of these extra behavior therapy programs can help teens that struggle with anger, rage, depression, anxiety and stress.

Examples of enrichment programs:

–Art Therapy
–Animal Assisted Therapy
-Sports Therapy
–Horticultural (Gardening) Therapy
–Music Therapy

Finally, when you did your online search you may have stumbled on sites and reviews that gave you pause. You thought you found a program — until you read some troubling reviews or fearmongering websites about the troubled teen industry. Take a moment to learn how to analyze the troubled teen industry negative reviews. 

There are safe therapeutic boarding schools to help your troubled teen. Don’t allow a few bad apples to prevent your teen from getting the help they need.

Also read:

5 Benefits of Boarding Schools

The Purpose of Therapeutic Boarding Schools

How Effective Are Therapeutic Boarding Schools

The post How to Choose The Right Therapeutic School first appeared on Help Your Teens.

A healthy household that happened once is now changed forever. You don’t get to see your parents in a happy relationship anymore, and everything is now different. 

Parents who are going through a divorce have a myriad of challenges that they face, such as figuring out custody of their kids, shared parent responsibilities, and the division of assets. 

With these challenges to face, it’s important to learn how parents who have  gone through a separation can both work together for their children.

So how can parents work together for their children’s best interests? Let’s find out.

Establish Solid Lines of Communication

One of the most important steps for divorced parents to work together in the best interests of their teenager is to establish solid communication. 

Even though it may seem difficult at first, having open communication will ensure that you’re both on the same page in terms of parenting and schedules. 

Taking this approach can help you both provide feedback and strategies regarding your teens well-being, and also areas he or she might be struggling in.

For example, if your teen is struggling in math class, you can both work together to develop a tutoring strategy for the child. This strategy can be afterschool prep, or even something as simple as meeting together to help your teen through math. 

In today’s digital world, you can also use smartphones to communicate effectively and quickly so there are no communication issues whatsoever. 

Take A United Front Approach

When someone gets a divorce, one of the likely reasons for separation is a difference in parenting styles and philosophy on important matters. 

However, when parenting to a teenager, you need to set your differences aside with your former spouse and present a united front on important matters. 

These matters can include everything from having consistent rules among households, keeping expectations the same, while also establishing discipline for poor behavior. 

As parents, you should also encourage your teenager to make their own decisions in life, as pushing independence is a crucial aspect of them growing up and going into adult life. 

Be Involved In The Child’s Education

When your teen grows up, they will likely be in the stages of middle school and high school. 

Even as split parents, it’s important to be involved in your child’s education during all stages of their adolescence. 

Be sure to attend events such as parent-teacher conferences, or even fun events that the school might be putting on, including field days or spirit weeks. 

Think about your teenager and how they would still like parental involvement in their lives. Fortunately, more parental involvement will likely result in them performing better in an academic setting. 

Create A Shared Parenting Plan

Having a plan in place when it comes to parenting your teenagers is crucial for ensuring co-parenting runs smoothly. 

There are a number of co-parenting tools that can be used to your advantage to help establish schedules for your children and also track expenses for child support. 

It’s also important to consider if your teenage child is on board with this plan as well. 

If they’re in a place where they want independence and not everything to go on an app or something similar, keep that in mind when looking at the creation of this plan. 

If you’re ever in a place where you’re having issues communicating with your former spouse and he or she is unwilling to be on board with a parenting plan, get in touch with an experienced family lawyer serving Sacramento, California today. 

Be Flexible and Have A Positive Attitude

The most important step to co-parenting a teenager is to have a positive attitude and be flexible. You never know what may happen. 

Maybe your teenager gets in trouble at school and you have to pick them up. Or your former spouse gets married and decides to take a two-week vacation at the same time as you. 

And now, you have to adjust accordingly. Although it may be frustrating, you need to be flexible to ensure a cooperative approach in all unexpected situations. 

Even though it’s easy to talk down on your ex-spouse around your child, you should never do that since that action can increase your chances of losing custody of your teenager. 

Focus On These Key Strategies Today

In conclusion, you can work together as divorced parents by:

1. Establishing Lines of Communication
2. Taking A United Front Approach
3. Being Involved In The Child’s Education 
4. Creating A Shared Parenting Plan
5. Being Flexible With A Positive Attitude

Even though co-parenting and divorce are both difficult, it’s important to recognize the impact of your parenting styles on your children. Chances are, it will make more of a difference than you may think. 

Remember, that it is up to both parents to ensure the positive wellbeing of their children and work together in a positive manner. 

Also read:

The Benefits of Group Therapy

How to Deal With My Rude Teenager

The post How Divorced Parents Can Work Together For Their Teens first appeared on Help Your Teens.

Most parents (over half) are not aware of their state’s legal age for online gambling, and 1 in 6 admit they likely wouldn’t know if their teen or young adult were betting online.

Parents concerns for online betting with young people are the following:

-83% believe their teen or young adult will get into debt

-77% believe their teen or young adult will develop a gambling addiction

-51% believe it will ruin their credit score

-27% believe it will lead to substance abuse (drug and/or alcohol)

Warning signs your teen is online gambling

• Sudden changes in the amount of money your teen has or is spending, whether that means they are consistently short on cash or have more than usual
• Mood changes, signs of depression, anxiety, withdrawn, excessive sleeping, irritable
• Poor academic performance
• Lack of interest in social interaction or other activities
• A preoccupation with gambling sites, apps, and games or sports results
• Behaving secretly or spending excessive time isolated in their room

How can you help your teen stop online gambling

As with any risky behavior, it starts with conversations, and the earlier the better. They can be short chats, but be sure they are frequent and meaningful.

1. Discuss gambling and the risks involved such as compulsive behavior to financial problems and even teens that have started stealing from their family to satisfy their addiction.
2. Besides being illegal for teens, online gambling can easily become addictive and is linked to mental health problems such as low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression.
3. Point out to them that there are so many gambling sites and apps because they make much more money than they give away to players. Explain that gambling companies always at an advantage – they are structured in a way that they will always make more money than they pay out to gamblers. Otherwise, they would go out of business quickly.

If your teen has an addiction to gambling or is suffering mental health issues that are causing them to engage in destructive behavior, it’s time to reach out for help. If you find that your local resources are not working, please contact us to learn more about residential treatment — in some situations removing your teen from their devices can be very beneficial.

Also read:

Where to Send My Troubled Teenager

5 Benefits of Boarding Schools for Troubled Teens

The post How to Help My Teen Stop Online Gambling first appeared on Help Your Teens.