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

Respect.  A word that needs to come back into this generation of teenagers. As a child approaches adolescence, the natural exploration of boundaries and the need to assert his own independence often leaves his parents feeling as if all respect between them has dissipated. Arguing, defiance and even foul language are normal, though admittedly incredibly frustrating, aspects of parenting a teenager. While regaining a teen’s respect may seem like an impossible proposition, there are ways that you can restore some semblance of balance and civility to your relationship as he gets older. While patience and a refusal to reward bad behavior are the keys to maintaining a measure of order in your home as the parent of teenagers, there are some methods that can supplement your efforts along the way. Show Respect In order to maintain your teenager’s respect, you’ll need to make sure that you show the same measure of respect in return. If you resort to shouting, threat...

Why change your name all the time? What are you hiding from? Seneca Ranch Second Chance Youth Ranch Carolina Springs Academy Magnolia Christian Academy Next...... If a t first you don't succeed.....  Are you at your wit's end with your at-risk teenager?  Surfing the Internet and tired of all t he marke ting ploys you are finding? Before you make your plu nge , take 5 minutes to rea d my s tory - www. aparentstruestory.com - I was once in your shoes.     I get it, we need help, your teen needs help.  There are excellent re sources out there.  However when a p rogram is consta ntly changing their name, what are they running from?   Th ink about it--- do you really want to trust your child with p eople are always changing their name? Be an educated parent.  Get yo ur teen help.  Do your research.   This is only my opinion - based on my firsthand experiences.  Parents are feel to do what they feel is best f...

Not your teen, right? WRONG! Really? Have you stopped to consider your child (teenager) has made a choice to hang out with that peer group?  They have free will not to hang out with that negative choice of friends--however that is where they believe they fit in. Why? Low self-esteem?  Belief that it is a cool group?  Desire to be part of a group even if it is a less than desirable one?  I speak to parents on a weekly basis and often hear how parents can make excuses for their teen.  Whether it is a friend's fault--the school's fault--the fault of an ex-spouse--you name it, rather than putting the blame on the person that is making the bad choices, some parents have a difficult time admitting their once good child is now making such negative decisions. Don't be a parent in denial; you are only hurting your child.  The sooner you recognize your teen needs help the sooner you can get on the path to recovery and healing in your home. Do you feel...

Post Newtown tragedy and we as a society not only mourn the loss of precious lives, we are debating what we can do from to prevent this from happening again. The conversation of gun control and mental health will continue for a long time. As someone that works with parents of struggling teenagers, I am faced on a weekly basis with families that are at their wit’s end.  They have exhausted all their local resources, the therapy sessions are going nowhere (if you can get your child to attend), school has usually reached their limit with the student, and in some cases the local authorities are now involved. Over the past few weeks we have heard from parents that feel like their teenagers are holding them hostage in their own homes.  They will punch holes in walls, they will scream at their parents, the level of disrespect today is at an all time high.  Sadly, though we are only hearing about this in the media lately, it has been going on for years. Som...

Don't be a parent in denial. There is help. After the tragic events of Sandy Hook Elementary the world sits in a state of horror and mourns for the children and heroes we lost. The questions linger, could this have been prevented?  Is it about gun control?  Is it about mental health? Working with parents of at-risk teens on a weekly basis, I know firsthand that families are at their wit's end searching for help.  Some are literally scared of their own child.  Some are scared of what they read online about residential treatment centers.  I don't blame them - I was once a victim of this industry myself, which is why I am a Parent Advocate today.  I have made it my mission to help parents find safe and quality residential therapy for their struggling teens. Let's discuss if your teens does need residential care? How To Know When It's Time to Try Residential Therapy You have read most parenting books and behavioral strategy -- removin...

At this time of year, it seems we are contacted by more and more parents that have an 18 year old or a 17 year old that is almost 18. If you have been struggling with your younger teen and like many of us, keep hoping and praying it will change , take a moment to think about if it doesn’t. Don’t miss an opportunity to give your child a second chance for a better future. Whether it is local therapy, a motivational out-patient program or a residential therapeutic boarding school - as parents we do what is best for our kids. “My 18 year old is out of control and I am at my wit’s end! What can I do?” Anonymous Parent . 18 – 19 year old teens can be the most difficult to address simply because they are considered adults and cannot be forced to get help. As parents, we have limited to no control. Practicing “ tough love ” is easier said than done, many parents have a problem letting their child reach rock bottom. As parents, we see our child suffering whether it is needing...