Residential Treatment Centers

Considering the use of a residential treatment center or facility is an important decision that should be taken very seriously. Residential treatment facilities are available for different types of problems varying from drug and alcohol addiction to teen behavior disorders. Keep in mind that these facilities are for people with serious problems that require constant help and supervision that can not be provided at home or with outpatient help and therapy. A typical stay at a residential treatment facility ranges from six to eighteen months depending on the individual needs of each patient.

There are residential treatment centers available for a number of issues including, but not limited to:

• Drug or substance abuse
• Violence
• Sexual behavior problems
• Sexual abuse
• Teen pregnancy
• Emotional disorders
• Mental Illness
• Behavior disorders

All facilities aren't created equal and before choosing one there are a number of things to consider and ask about to make sure that you find the center that will work best for the patient and his/her family. Some things to consider and ask about include:

• Is the center accredited with the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs?
• What type of treatment is used? Individual therapy or group therapy?
• Does the treatment center involve the family? Do they offer family therapy sessions?
• How many patients are at a facility at any given time? What is the ratio of staff to patients?
• Is there academic support offered?
• Does the center use wilderness programs as part of their treatment program?
• Are sports or some type of physical activity used during treatment?
• What is the age range of patients in each facility?
• Does the facility treat both male and female patients? If so, are they treated together or separately?
• What personal items will the patient be allowed to bring?
• What is the cost and financing options available for the program?

This isn't meant to be an all inclusive list, but simply some ideas to get you thinking. There are a number of questions that should be addressed but those questions and issues will vary greatly from individual to individual. It is very important to find a facility that will work best for the individual and for the specific problem he/she is dealing with. Click here to request more information now.

Parenting Tips for Back to School

Back to school can mean a lot of different things to different people. Whether you are the parent sending your first child off to kindergarten or a student yourself going back to school after a few years off, there are a number of things to think about. Children and teenagers preparing to go back to school will probably feel a wide range of emotions from excitement, to anxiety, and fear. Starting new classes, meeting new people, getting to know new teachers, this can all be a bit overwhelming. What if your daughters best friend isn't in her class. What if the other kids don't like her. What if her teacher is mean. These are some of the most often voiced concerns with elemetary school aged children. A little pep talk about making new friends, seeing old friends before and after school and at recess, and the assurance that her teacher will surely be very nice, is often enough reassurance to get them through those first couple of weeks until they "get used to" their new school year.

However, as your child ages and has to make more drastic changes; going from elementary to middle school or middle school to high school. Facing bullies, dealing with multiple teachers, as well as developing their own self image and self esteem, can be an extremely trying time for teens and parents alike. One of the hard and fast parenting tips that is useful in virtually every situation is: talking to your children. But don't just "talk to them", listen to them. Often we find that when we are quiet and really listen to our children or teenagers, we gain a great understanding and appreciation for what they are dealing with. Not only are they dealing with drug addiction, alcohol abuse, teen suicides, and any number of other problems that have been around for ages, but they are dealing with a whole new world of problems like: cyber bullying.

What is cyber bullying? Cyber bullying can come in a number of forms: through email, text messaging, and social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook. Cyber bullying statistics suggests many teens face some type of cyber bullying on an almost daily basis. Let's face it kids can be really mean and nasty, teenagers probably even more than most. The dynamics of cyber bullying can be even more damaging than just the normal lunch room physical bully that pushes your kid out of line or makes them walk down another hallway to get to class. Cyber bullying can be very psychologically devastating. Electronic messages can quickly go from a handful of students to an entire student body.

The first step we, as parents, can take is, again, talking to our kids. Help them understand that bullying in any form is not ok. Set rules about appropriate use of technology and follow through with those rules. Make sure that your child knows you will be monitoring all activity on their electronic devices. You may even consider a parent contract defining rules and consequences for use of all electronic equipment by your teens. Then, make sure your child or teen knows that you are a safe zone for them. That they can always talk to you about any problems they face, whether they were involved or just witnessed or heard about something that happened. Also, be very vigilant in watching for drastic changes in your child's behavior. Some anxiety and depression is normal in teens, but if your teen seems to have more teen stress than is normal or you notice drastic changes in eating, sleeping, or activity levels of your teens, you may want to seek professional counseling or other help. Never ignore these changes or dismiss them as "crazy teen behavior". Take the time to be involved. It really does make all the difference in the world.

Best Ways Parents Can Help with Homework

It's back to school time! With a new school year starting, now is a great time to develop new habits that can help your kids develop life long study skills and learning techniques that will help them be successful. Success in school is a great boost for self esteem. The earlier you can start the better, but it is never too late to create new study habits and learn new skills. The first thing you can do to help your children/teens with homework is to let them know how important homework is. Help them to understand that learning is a life long process and let them see you doing activities that involve learning: reading the newspaper, looking information up online, measuring, making lists, anything that lets them see you using information you have learned or things you are doing now to continue learning.

How involved you will need to be in your child's daily assignments will depend a lot on his/her age. For younger children you will most likely have to be directly involved everyday. If possible, designate a specific time and area for your child to do homework every night. Some families may even choose to have a set amount of time every day for homework and create a parent contract to make sure it happens. This will allow your child plenty of time to finish all they need to do and not have them rushing to finish so they can play sooner, or "forgetting" their homework so they can get out of it. While you should be directly involved, you should never do your child's homework for them. Help them understand the assignment and give them some direction, but allow them to make mistakes and figure things out the best they can on their own.

A great way to start is by talking to your child's teacher directly. Find out what to expect for the year regarding homework and how much help they want you to provide. Some teacher's may wish for you to make sure they are doing every assignment correctly so you can give them additional help and instruction if they need it, while others may not want you to correct it at all but simply make sure it is completed on time. Seeing errors in a child's work can be helpful to the teacher in assessing how much the child knows and what areas they need the most help in. Learning to do homework on their own is a great way for children to learn independence and responsibility. Use positive parenting skills to encourage your child and help alleviate any stress they may face.

As your child gets older and their assignments are harder and more time consuming, you will most likely need to help your child create a schedule or time line for a specific project. For example if they have an English paper that is due in 3 weeks you can help them by making a list of what needs to be done. 1. Select a topic. 2. Research and gather information on the topic. 3. Organize the material they will be using. 4. Write a rough draft. 5. Have someone read and give input on the rough draft. 6. Make edits, and create a final draft. Once your child understands all the steps they need to take, they can set a timeline for when each step will be completed. This will not only help them use their time more effectively, but will keep them from becoming overly stressed or depressed if they put it all off until the last day or two and have to spend many hours a day working on it.

It is always good to let your child do as much as he/she is able to do. The most important thing is that he/she knows you are available and willing to help in any way you can. Once your teen has reached middle school and high school, if you are not comfortable helping them with their homework, make sure you help them find out what tutoring and after school programs are available in their school and community. Help them set up times to get help in whatever subjects they need extra help with and then follow up with them every time to see how the tutoring session went and what else you can do to help them. The more you can be involved, the less you will have to worry about your teen struggling too much, getting involved in drugs or alcohol abuse or other risky behaviors. When your child sees how much you want and are willing to help, they will be more interested in their own work and success. And remember to stay in touch with your child's teachers, no matter what age your child is. Getting to know your child's teacher and having constant contact with them will keep you and your child aware of what assignments are due, what assignments are missing, and what assignments are coming up. The more information you have, the more help you can be.

Teen Marijuana Smoking Alternatives

As the most commonly abused illicit substance there has been a large amount of controversy surrounding the drug marijuana. While, some assume it to be relatively harmless, psychological and physical studies of its use are proving the opposite to be true, especially with teens. The effects of marijuana have been determined to inhibit maturity, cause impaired judgment, promote risky behavior, result in a lack of motivation, lead to harder drug use, and induce psychological dependency. In addition, the drug can do physical damage to the respiratory, reproductive, and immune system, or cause anxiety, panic attacks, and paranoia.

When teens who smoke marijuana were surveyed, they gave a number of reasons for their decision to use the drug. Some admitted smoking pot as a way to fit in with friends, while others believed it to relax them, relieve emotional pain, or enhance creativity. However, the reality is that marijuana poses the risk for negative consequences and some of the things it is believed to help, it actually hinders.

Many people tell kids that when someone offers them drugs, it means they are not truly a friend. It's true that they may not be acting as a good friend at that moment, but the reality is that even some of the best kids get curious about drugs. Teens need to understand that if a friend offers drugs, they can and should say “no,” and that real friends will still be there even if you don't get high.

Alternative ways to spend time away from peers who use drugs, include signing up for extracurricular activities, playing sports, or joining a club. It is important for teens to surround themselves with positive friends who have similar values.

The idea that marijuana relaxes you and alleviates stresses is false. The mood altering effects of the drug may make it seem this way, but in reality, smoking marijuana raises the heart rate and can cause or increase problems with depression and anxiety. Plus, marijuana use can cause developing teens to fail at building appropriate coping skills.

Instead of using marijuana to relieve stress, try something healthier like going for a walk, participating in a recreational activity, or doing breathing exercises. There are more positive ways to deal with stress than smoking pot. Plus, marijuana can ultimately make problems worse.

Many teens who use marijuana describe the high as a sense of mental enlightenment, that allows them to think abstractly and exercise creativity. However, enough studies have been done to prove the contrary to be correct. While it is true that marijuana heightens your senses, it also reduces your ability to learn. Research clearly shows that marijuana limits the capacity to absorb and retain information. Plus, individuals who smoke marijuana generally fall short on memory and test lower in math and verbal skills.

Instead of expressing creativity through smoking marijuana to get high, teens should make better use of their talents. Participating in an art class outside of school, performing on a dance team, writing short stories, or other outlets for self expression are all better ways to exercise creativity.

Military School for Girls

When choosing an educational program for your child, it is important to consider all viable options. Even though military schools are traditionally thought of as an institution for boys, there are many girls who can benefit from this type of education as well. Military boarding schools offer a structured and military disciplined environment for females that assists them in building self-confidence, learning teamwork, improving physical fitness, and excelling academically.

There is little difference between a boys' military school program and a girls'. However, the rigidness is usually toned down a bit, especially in terms of the workouts. Plus, some female programs allow a little more time for personal hygiene. The academic components and performance requirements are the same for boys and girls. Both sexes are taught to work in teams and socialize well with their peers. However, girls are sometimes given a separate time to discuss emotional problems among themselves.

Military schools seem to work well for students who struggle to be motivated. There are a number of females that are in need of learning the kind of teen discipline that military schools demand. However, this type of education is not meant for everyone.

One of the drawbacks of an all girl school may include social impediment. Also, a number of girls will not fare well away from their families. Many military institutions have guidelines that restrict students from having visits from others, even from parents. Plus, the cost of tuition can be a major expense. However,despite some of the challenges of military school, many girls find great success in these programs.

Overall, military school has much to offer girls in the way of strong academic skills, physical fitness, altruistic behavior, and discipline. Before making a decision about your child's education, be sure to consider the pros and cons regarding this type of education.

Military School for Boys

Today’s military schools set high academic standards and require students to be motivated and disciplined. Many boys benefit from this type of structured educational environment. However, if your child struggles with grades, they may find military school extremely challenging and struggle to meet the expectations of the program. Like any other education alternative, there are both advantages and disadvantages to providing your son with a military school education. However, this type of program is not favorable for all students.

First of all, forget any preconceived notions about military schools catering to boys with behavior problems. Students with major attitude problems stand little chance of being accepted. Although it may have been different in the past, modern military schools focus on achieving excellence and do not wish to waste time on students who rebel against their authorities.

However, students who are intelligent, possessing strong academic skills, yet a little under motivated or lazy may benefit greatly from military school. Some boys just need a sense of discipline to get them going. Military school students are required to participate in a structured work out and line assembly daily. They learn how to clean their rooms in a manner that meets staff expectations upon inspection. Plus, their schedules are structured with adequate class and study time. Most boys rise to the occasion and strive to meet the expectations of their authoritative leaders, finding a new motivation, drive, and sense of self worth along the way.

On the other hand, teens that isolate themselves from others, have problems with authorities, and struggle academically do not perform well in military schools. Some will be kicked out for failure to cooperate or asked to leave if they are unable to meet the academic standards. Also, military school means time away from home, where teens are not under the moral guidance and direction of their parents. Some teens who lack the necessary maturity for military school will find it hard to adjust to the structured environments and be away from home for long periods of time.

Homeschooling Troubled Teens

If you are considering homeschool as a way to eliminate teenage rebellion, you may be discouraged to hear that almost all teens are rebellious no matter where they gain their educations. However, if your teen is troubled and you are trying to provide an alternative to compulsory education, there are certain benefits that may arise from homeschooling. Troubled teens may be involved in gang activity, violence, risky sexual activity,drugs, alcohol, or any number of other problems. Homeschooling may provide a better environment for teens who struggle these serious issues.

Although all parents want to protect their teens, homeschooling in efforts to cut them off from the rest of the world is not feasible. However, homeschool can produce a safe environment for the purpose of learning, in which your child will be away from the influences of their friends for a period of time. This may be greatly beneficial if their troubles consist of behavior problems at school with peers. Teaching your child at home may provide more serene time in their day when they are not bogged down with their present stresses, giving them the opportunity to see things more clearly. Plus, one-on-one time with your child in homeschool gives you ample time to discuss moral issues, values, and goals on a daily basis.

Homeschool can be a more structured environment than what your teen is used to. Troubled teens who struggle with self esteem and motivation sometimes find greater success while learning inside their home. Emotional growth often takes place when provided with extra family support. Plus, there are fewer distractions when studying in the home. Teens whose trouble has gotten them expelled from public education may respond better to homeschool than an alternative school with other troubled teens. Also, performance may improve as they are able to work at a more customized pace.

On the other hand, many troubled teens are highly rebellious against their parents. Parents may not gain full or even partial cooperation under this circumstance. If a teen fails at homeschool, it may be difficult returning them to the compulsory education system. Also, homeschool requires a great amount of time and effort on the part of the parent and can be expensive.

Overall, there are both advantages and disadvantages to homeschooling your troubled teen. Before deciding to homeschool, be sure to familiarize yourself with your state's guidelines. Also, if your teens trouble is severe, seek professional help for the problem.