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

Parents talking about their teens: My daughter is so smart, she is highly intelligent. My son is extremely handsome, very athletic and always had lots of friends. My daughter is beautiful, was the captain of her cheerleading team etc.... My son has an IQ of 170, yet is failing. My daughter wants to drop out of high school. My son wants to get his GED and is not attending school. My daughter made the varsity team and yet dropped out. My son was swim captain and now was asked to leave the team. (He was caught with pot, but said it was his friends. My daughter smokes pot, but it is only recreational. My son likes to drink beer, but it isn't all the time. Excuses for parents: It is the friends he/she is hanging with. The teacher doesn't like my son/daughter. The school has zero tolerance. His father isn't around enough. The coach expects too much. If it wasn't for this one neighbor, we wouldn't have these issues. HelpYourTeens.com Okay, these l...

Are you struggling with a teen that was always a good kid - now making some horrible choices? Are they hanging out with kids that are questionable? Did you get a report card that was less than acceptable? Have you seen evidence of them smoking or using other substances?  Maybe drinking? Don't be parent in denial!  You are only prolonging them getting the help they may need.  You don't want to see them get arrested - you want to see them get back on a positive road to a bright future. Join us on Facebook - and LIKE our community of professionals, parents and educators that want to help. Also visit www.HelpYourTeens.com for a free consultation.

Wilderness Programs (Brat Camps) What is a " Wilderness Program ?"  If you are a parent that is struggling with a teenager that is out-of-control , you will surf the Internet and attempt to find help.  Many parents first think of boot camps as a resolution - a way to teach our teen a lesson.  Then you realize that maybe that is not the best avenue and you are somehow directed to wilderness programs.  Not always, but especially if you have hired an Educational Consultant , their first recommendation is commonly Wilderness programs. There are many very good Wilderness Programs in our country, however the question remains, are they necessary or should you go directly to where most teens eventually end up:  Residential Therapy program. Wilderness programs are mainly designed to break a teen down.  Although they are not punitive, in comparison to a boot camp, they are primitive, forcing your teen to appreciate the luxuries he had at home. ...

Get help today for your at-risk teen. As a special guest post from Janet Lehman addressing aggressive behavior among children and teens, it is a constant issue I hear among parents I speak with. Janet Lehman has some excellent and educational information I would like to share with my readers about this type of negative behavior: Aggressive Teens Excerpt by Janet Lehman There is no excuse for abuse, physical or otherwise. That rule should be written on an index card with a black magic marker and posted on your refrigerator. The message to your child is, “If you’re abusive, there’s no excuse. I don’t want to hear what the reason was. There’s no justification for it. There’s nobody you can blame. You are responsible and accountable for your abusive behavior. And by ‘responsible,’ I mean it’s nobody else’s fault, and by ‘accountable’ I mean there will be consequences.” When your child is aggresssive or abuses anyone in your family, remind him of the rule. Say, ...

'Legal Pot,' Made in China, Sold To U.S. Kids If you missed ABC News recent report on fake pot, also known as spice , you need to take the time to learn about this today and now.  Teens are dying - yes, dying from this.     High school students use "legal marijuana" or "herbal incense," marketed as K2, Spice and Potpourri, to get high because the products are legal, easily available and do not show up on drug tests. According to ABC News , the products have spurred more than 4,000 calls to poison control centers around the country since 2010 and have been linked to deaths. The parents of 18-year-old David Rozga of Indianola, Iowa say their son committed suicide after he smoked K2 and became overwhelmed with anxiety. " He just continued to become agitated -- indicating that he felt like he was in hell, " said David's father Mike Rozga. Detective Sergeant Brian Sher, who investigated Rozga's death for the Indianola police...

Drug use (substance abuse) is a serious cry for help, and making your teen feel ashamed or embarrassed can make the problem worse. Some common behavior changes you may notice if your teenager is abusing drugs and alcohol are: Violent outbursts, rage, disrespectful behavior Poor or dropping grades Unexplained weight loss or gain Skin abrasions, track marks Missing curfew, running away, truancy Bloodshot eyes, distinct “skunky” odor on clothing and skin Missing jewelry money New friends Depression, apathy, withdrawal Reckless behavior Tips to help prevent substance abuse: 1. Communication is the key to prevention. Whenever an opportunity arises about the risks of drinking and driving or the dangers of using drugs, take it to start a conversation. 2. Have a conversation not a confrontation. If you suspect your teen is using drugs, talk to them. Don’t judge them, talk to them about the facts of the dangers of substance abuse. If your teen isn’t opening up to you, be sure...