The Blog of P.U.R.E. and Sue Scheff

Breaking a teen down, does it really build them up? It never ceases to amaze me that parents are still asking for boot camps or scared straight programs .  Although they may make an initial effect on your teen, it is rarely, if ever, long lasting.  They are usually considered a band-aid to a wound that will soon be re-opened. Many teens that are acting out in a negative way, are usually crying out for help.  Lack of self-esteem, negative peer group and simply feel like they are not important to anyone. Boot camps and scared straight programs are about breaking your child down - aren't they already there?  In many cases these types of programs can build more anger and resentment which is usually targeted at the parent that sent them there. Finding a program that helps determine where these negative impulses are coming from and helping your teen work through them can be the best way to get back on a positive road. Are you ready to get your teen the help t...

As second semester continues, more and more parents are struggling with their teens to get them to attend school.  It never ceases to amaze me that so many teenagers in high school "assume" they can just drop out and get a GED.  Generations prior, this was frowned upon and the only teens that did there were juvenile delinquents.  This has changed. Do you find yourself forcing your teen to go to school?  Are they failing when they have the potential to succeed?  Has your honor roll student barely getting C's?  Classic signs of underachieving can have an underlying issue to something bigger. Has their peer group changed?  Are they experimenting with drugs?  Is it "only" a joint now and then? (Seriously some parents think this way).  What they aren't realizing is the pot they smoked 20-30 years ago is not the pot these kids are getting today. You have come to the realization that you need outside help.  Local therapy has been exhauste...

How much is a parent supposed to tolerate before they reach their wit’s end ? How many times do you blame negative behavior on the friends they are hanging with, since your teen would never act like this? ( Not my Kid ) How long do you continue to allow your teen to speak to you with disrespect and defiance ? How much is too much? Let’s face it, parenting teens today has become more challenging than years before.  Think about your generation.  When your parent said to be home at 10:00pm, most were home by 9:50pm.  Why?  Because we respected our parents.   We also knew there would be consequences. Was that considered tough love ?  Not really, it was simply following the rules of the house.  These simple boundaries seem to have disappeared in many homes. Is it because there are more single parent households?  Is it because most families have both parents working, meaning there is less supervision? Without a doubt, the level ...