Is there help for my troubled child?  Looking for troubled teen schools in Arkansas

When a teenager experiences some up's and down's it is considered normal teenage behavior. Up and down and all around is what adolescents is all about.  However, when a teen continues to display severe problems (mood disorders, behavioral episodes, or emtional meltdowns) a change is in order.  Troubled teen schools are designed for adolescents who are out-of-control, defiant, rebellious, and making really bad choices (usually as a result of drug and alcohol abuse). If you as the parent cannot detect the reason behind the problem behavior perhaps its time for a professional to help you.  A professional can help you figure out what is going on and how to solve the problems.  Our recommendation is that before you choose a troubled teen school, call us.  Speak with our Family Advocate.  We can assess and evaluate your situation, and then recommend a plan to resolve the problems and restore your family.  

Below are some of the reasons why teens become "troubled":

PEER PRESSURE: There will always be teens out there there ready to tell your child what’s best for them, telling them how they should run their life, putting pressure on them to perform (act, dress, talk, walk) a certain way.  If your child is normal they will succumb to  

SELF ESTEEM: Take care of yourself. This means avoiding negative people and thoughts. Pessimism is a waste of time. Become an optimist! Start monitoring your thoughts constantly--every time you begin putting yourself down, think about why you feel that way and what circumstances you are in that might lead you to this conclusion.

PANIC ATTACKS: For instance, one of the ways to manage your fear is to challenge your negative thinking with positive statements and realistic thinking. When encountering thoughts that make you’re fearful or anxious, challenge those thoughts by asking yourself questions that will maintain objectivity and common sense. Changing your thinking can help you manage your fears.

OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER: Living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and having to deal with your fearful thoughts can be extremely difficult. It can be tough for people with OCD to have to experience obsessive thoughts that are intrusive, scary, and difficult to manage. From my interviews with various psychologists, I was told that a person should visualize a red stop sign in their mind when they encounter a fear provoking thought.

Parents learning to communicate better with their struggling child from Arkansas

Parents of troubled teens seek ways to improve communication with their struggling child.  Parents of rebellious kids can use some good "tips" from troubled teen schools to boost effective communication. For example, some parents have noticed that while driving in the car with their "troubled teen" the child tends to open up and talk more. Maybe it's the side-by-side (rather than face-to-face) aspect of driving together that makes it easier to communicate. We recommend that parents take advantage of every opportunity to improve communication with their child, including the consideration of enrolling the child into a school for troubled teens. If "improving communication with your child seems to be impossible, then perhaps its time to look at outside help. Troubled teen schools place a tremendous emphasis on improving communication between parent and child. Communication is one of the most important aspects of the restored relationship. No matter what has transpired in the past, no matter how deep the pain, effective communication can heal everything and move the relationship forward in powerful ways.

Famous Quote:   "Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don't wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it's at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored. Earl Nightingale We love life, not because we are used to living but because we are used to loving."   Friedrich Nietzsche

Famous Quotes:   "Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams."  Ashley Smith  "I believe that being successful means having a balance of success stories across the many areas of your life. You can't truly be considered successful in your business life if your home life is in shambles." Zig Ziglar