The View From Down Here: How the World Appears to Struggling Teens

By Curtis Reed

I remember as a teen how my problems were making sure my makeup looked good; being afraid someone was going to wear the same outfit I did; and hoping someone asked me to the Prom. I would love to trade my challenges today for those simple problems I faced in high school. As much as my personal life experience has helped me realize that those weren't real issues compared to now, I can't expect a teen to understand that. They only see what they know and the world can be very daunting from their view. Even though my height is average, I sometimes crouch down to the level of my five year old just to see what he can see. I realize he has a very small vantage point compared to me. It's a close comparison to the mental ability young adults have compared to their parents.

C.A.R.E., the Center for Adolescent Recovery & Education, presents four very unique residential treatment centers for troubled young adults and understands how impressionable kids are and that their problems may seem insurmountable. The C.A.R.E. consortium of therapeutic residential centers for struggling adolescents is for both boys and girls. 

Don't Worry, Someday You'll Be Taller

My boys love it when I talk about how someday they are going to be taller than me. They always want me to hold my hand to show just how high. Then they have to stand on a chair and say, "Whoa! I can see a lot." Life experience is the same way. Adolescents can learn to trust adults who have traveled the road before them and learn if they use their parents as a resource, they too may be taller in more than just height. Struggling kids have an extra heavy load in life. They don't see or believe how things will get better. If your family is trying to cope with adolescents who need help, please contact C.A.R.E. immediately and speak to a professional.