Teen Help Advice Expands!
by Sue Scheff on Apr 08, 2011
Teen Help Advisors Are Professionals in the Teen Help Industry
Recently launched yet has helped over 30,000 families, www.TeenHelpAdvice.com offers over 25+ years of combined experience in the big business of teen help schools and programs.
Offering sound and objective advice, the Teen Help Advisors are experts in the “business” of the teen help industry. The good, the bad and the ugly. Many parents are duped on a daily basis when they have reached their wit’s end. They are feeling desperate – alone – and hopeless.
No more! We have been there – I have been duped, my teen was abused and I am determined that this doesn’t happen to other parents as they believe they are getting help.
The questionable decision to hire an Educational Consultant (EC) can be answered very quickly.
Just yesterday (and many times prior) I hear from parents that have spent at least $2500 to as much as $5000.00 for the services of an Educational Consultant. Yesterday this desperate mother, located in the Northeast, hired an EC months ago for her troubled teenage daughter. It was determine she needed a smaller program and the EC said that Utah was the only place – there weren’t any options on the East Coast! Now she is broke and her daughter still needs help.
Seriously? There are options, but these options won’t play politics in the Educational Consultant industry. So they are cut off from parents that are on the East Coast that hire EC’s and these parents honestly don’t know any better.
Even on the West Coast – this happens. The same programs are rotated through the EC Shuffled – and very likely you are spending an additional $15K-20K on a Wilderness program first. Their philosophy – they need to break your teen down! Isn’t your teen already broken? Why not start and finish at the same program? Why put your teen through changing therapists and their peer support groups – not to mention their structure? Don’t our teens need some positive consistency?
YES – they do.
Contact www.TeenHelpAdvice.com to learn more.
Tags: At Risk Teens, Parenting, parenting advice, Parenting Blogs, Parenting Resources, Residential Therapy, Teen Help Advice, Teen Help Advisors, Teen Issues, Troubled Teens, Underachievers, Wits End
Teen Help, Troubled Teens and Searching for Residential Therapy (Confusion and Desperation can lead to mistakes)
by Sue Scheff on Jan 16, 2011
Coming to the realization you are in need of residential treatment for your teen is not an easy admission for any parent. It is a point of realization that you can no longer help them and by denying them the opportunity of an intervention, you may be enabling them into a dark future.
As my previous Blog post stated, finding the right placement for your teen is a tedious and time consuming job, however extremely necessary. This is a major financial and emotional step and as a parent, you need to take the reins and be part of this process.
Some thoughts and tips (from my own experiences) are the following:
- Beware of all these toll free numbers that go to places unknown – are marketing arms for a variety of programs and usually don’t have your child’s best interest, rather they are suggesting programs or schools that will “pay” for the referral.
- With this thought- always speak with the owner or the director. Someone that has a vested interest in your child’s recovery since it will reflect on their reputation. It is always beneficial, if you are working with a local therapist, to have them speak with the program you are considering to find out if it is a good fit. Remember, if your therapist has recommended residential – this is a step you should take, but sadly there are some therapists that don’t recommend residential therapy since it usually means they are losing a client.
- Are you determined to find a “religious” based program or school? Convinced that the bible will guide your teen back to you? Maybe – but remember, “religious based” programs rarely have to meet the same regulations that normal schools and programs do. A perfect example is where my daughter attended (that abused her and harmed her, while defrauding me): It was called Carolina Springs Academy. The changed their name to Magnolia Christian School. Why? They no longer have to report to DSS. Read a recent news article.
- Are you finding all these horror stories online about these types of programs? Remember, you need to take it from the source. Many of them are disgruntled teens that didn’t want to go to a program and obviously attending didn’t help them, however the majority is quite different. To sooth your mind, remember the Internet is full of fact and fiction, sometimes it is different to decipher. However looking into public records for legitimate lawsuits filed against programs can give you the real answers. My name is either famous or infamous – but when you look at my past, my court records prove that my stories are accurate and I actually won an $11.3M jury verdict for the slime that was written about me online. As the jury spoke loudly in the case with WWASPS – I defeated them to keep my story online – www.aparentstruestory.com - since it was told truthfully as I and many others experienced.
For more information on residential therapy and hints visit www.helpyourteens.com.
I will have more tips to come….. If you are looking for help ASAP – feel free to contact me.
Read more about my tips on my Parenting Blog.
Tags: At Risk Teens, Boarding Schools, Boot Camps, Parenting, Parenting Blogs, Parenting Teens, Parenting Tips, Residential Therapy, Residential Treatment Centers, Teen Drug Use, Teen Issues, Therapeutic Boarding Schools
Teen Help – Troubled Teens: Parents At their Wit’s End
by Sue Scheff on Sep 13, 2010
Let’s face it – parenting teens today can be challenging. Whether it is the accessibility of drugs or the blatant disrespect many teens have for authority, parents are reaching their wit’s end when it comes to their teenagers.
An out-of-control teen can upset the entire family. Is that fair to the sibling? Is it fair to the parents? As many families are struggling with today’s economy, possible job loss and even losing their homes, the stress of parenting can be overwhelming.
In many situations seeking outside help is the only answer. After you have exhausted all your local resources, even tried sending your teen to a relatives to live – and some may have even tried a scared straight program only to find it is very short term results – if any.
Now you are faced with the daunting experience of surfing the Internet to find help. Doing your research is a priority. Learn from my experiences – www.aparentstruestory.com and visit www.helpyourteens.com for valuable information to help you sift through the many toll free numbers, marketing arms and in some cases, scams when it comes to this confusing – “teen help industry.”
Tags: At Risk Teens, Boot Camps, Defiant Teens, Parenting, parenting advice, Parenting Blogs, Parenting Teens, Parenting Tips, Residential Treatment Centers, Sue Scheff, Teen Help, Teen Help Programs, Therapeutic Boarding Schools, Wilderness Programs
Update Your Emergency Numbers and Hotlines Today: You Could Save a Life
by Sue Scheff on Aug 19, 2010
Raising children today or taking care of elderly parents, keeping emergency numbers and hotlines available at all time is imperative. Whether your teen or child comes home from school by themselves, or you live on your own, keeping these numbers up-to-date is critical to saving lives. Every minute counts if a child swallows a poisonous household product, every second counts if your child is a runaway or been abducted.
Here is a great list to start with and take the time to add more that may refer to you personally such as your emergency contacts:
- American Association for Poison Control 1-800-222-1222
- National Runaway Switchboard 1-800-286-2929
- Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-8255
- Children’s Trust Line Parent Helpline 2-1-1
- Crime Stoppers Miami 1-866-471-8477
- Crime Stoppers Broward 1-866-493-8477
- Florida Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-500-1119
- Planned Parenthood – Teen Talk 1-800-230-7526
- Florida Gang Information (Dial 9-1-1 to report gang violence)
- Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline 1-800-962-2873
- Rape Crisis Hotline 1-888-956-7273
- National Victim Hotline 1-800-394-2255
- Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Youth Support Line 1-800-850-8078
- STOMP Out Bullying 1-888-347-5437
- Frequently Called Numbers by Broward Students and Parents
- Parents’ Universal Resource Experts (Private Programs for Out-of-Control Teens)
- Peachford Communities (Programs for Adult Addicts wanting to get sober)
Above is a start and be sure to add your local sheriff’s office as well as your emergency contacts.
School opens next week in Broward, Dade and Palm Beach County, put this on your list to do in order to prepare for a safe and healthy school year.
Be an educated parent, you will have healthier and safer teens.
Please add more emergency numbers and hotlines in comments – you may save a life!
Tags: Parenting, parenting advice, Parenting Blogs, Parenting Resources, Parenting Tips, Teen Depression, Teen Help
Sue Scheff: Parent Excuses for Teen Bad Behavior – Be Proactive, Not in Denial
by Sue Scheff on Jul 27, 2010
No one likes to admit they are struggling with their teenager. No one wants others to know what is really going on behind closed doors. No parent wants to end up in a juvenile court room, not to mention visiting their teen in jail. Face it, parenting isn’t easy but there are many things we cannot control as parents.
Most parents didn’t raise our kids to use drugs. Parents don’t tell their children to join the local gang (and I am not speaking of a sports club). Parents don’t tell their kids to treat them like dirt. Defiance and belligerence are not behaviors parents encourage.
So who is to blame? Where are today’s teens picking up this blatant disrespect for authority, dropping out school, using drugs and running away?
There can be many factors, however every family is unique with their issues. Whether it is a divorce, a death in the family, parents working several jobs and not having time for their kids, the causes could be almost anything.
At the end of the day, parents have to stop making excuses and get help! Their teens negative behavior is a cry for help. Whether you start with local therapy, which many will not attend and if they do, most won’t participate, or you need to take a major step of residential therapy, you need to stop making excuses and get your teen help.
This is not about you – and what your neighbors, friends or family will think – this is about saving your teen’s future, if not life.
Excuses that are commonly used:
- He/she is so smart, high IQ – it will get better. (Yes, they are smart, how else could they make these manipulative decisions?)
- It is the friends he/she is hanging with. Not my teen. (This is most common). So many parents make the mistake of blaming the kids their teen is hanging with, in reality, your teen is making that choice to hang with them.
- He/she used to love a certain activity, but recently dropped out – well, he was caught with pot, but it was his friends. He didn’t know it was there. (Really?)
- He/she only tried it once. (Seriously, who are you kidding?)
- He/she ran away for the weekend, but they did text me? (O-kay)
- You don’t understand – he/she can get a full scholarship but he/she doesn’t care anymore!
All of this doesn’t happen over night, although you would like to believe that. These are all red flags that you need to get your teen help.
In South Florida there are several places you can get help. Don’t be a parent in denial – be proactive, don’t allow your teen to fail because of your pride!
Visit Parents’ Universal Resource Experts for more information.
Tags: At Risk Teens, Parenting, parenting advice, Parenting Teens, Parenting Tips, Teen Help, Teen Issues, Troubled Teens, Wits End
Sue Scheff: Wilderness Programs, Boot Camps or Jail – Are they an answer to Out-of-Conrol Teens? NO!
by Sue Scheff on Jul 21, 2010
You have a teen that is driving you crazy. You have a teen that is experimenting, if not using drugs on a regular basis. You have teen that has changed peer groups – and not for the better. You have a teen that has disengaged from the family. You have a teen that is defiant, belligerent and can become violent. You have a teen that doesn’t appreciate all they have and all you have sacrificed for them? You are at your wit’s end!
Is it time to have an intervention? What is best to insure that your teen gets back on a positive road to have that bright future you always wanted for them?
Let’s review some choices to get help:
Wilderness Therapeutic Programs: Short term program, short term results, usually zero academics, extremely expensive and as many teens state they have great experiences, it is usually never enough to make lasting positive changes.
- The concept: Remove the kids from their comforts of home. Get them to reflect on themselves from within.
- Thought: Wouldn’t it be wise to find one program that offers a well-rounded program including removing them from their comforts of home, offering them an education as well as encouraging them through enrichment programs?
Boot Camps: Thankfully many have been closed in the state of Florida. This in and of itself speaks volumes. As parents see it as a way to punish their kids for their negative behavior, using punitive and primitive measures may cause more anger and resentment toward the person that placed them there.
- The concept: Teach your child a lesson, and hope they learn to appreciate and respect you.
- Thought: Again, finding a sound program that offers positive enrichment, academics as well as trained personal to help determine where the negative behavior is stemming from.
Jail: Is this ever a good option? Not really, and although juvenile records are sealed, according to law enforcement, what happens when your teen applies for a job in their 20′s and that record, although it doesn’t state the charges, but is pinged by your teen being finger printed? Did you consider the friends your teen will make in jail?
- The Concept: Show your teen the consequences of breaking the law. Hopefully scaring them straight so they turn around their behavior.
- Thought: Get your teen the right help that instills positive reinforcement, continuing education and work on family conflict with an outside counselor.
Residential Therapy: Finally, a way to address negative behavior in a positive direction. Our teens need consistency in treatment. Starting and finishing with the same therapist, structure and program that builds your teen back up to making the better choices. Some parents are being convinced that using a short term program such as Wilderness Programs will prepare them for a residential program, however if you find the right program from the start, it serves the same purpose as a Wilderness Program (of course saving about $10K-20K at the same time). Choosing a residential therapy program does remove your child from their comforts of their home. It also gives them an opportunity to reflect and get back to basics.
- Concept: It took longer than 6-8 weeks to get to the place your teen is at, it will take at least 6-9 months to get your child back.
- Thought: Take your time and find the best program for you and your family both emotionally and financially. Consider that short term programs are like band-aids – they do peal off fairly quickly.
With Lindsay Lohan at 24 years old going to jail, it will serve to sober her up, however the rehab is what will help her to remain sober. Sadly, this may all be a moot point since at 24 years old, she is considered an adult and can just go through the motions – after all, she is court appointed.
Don’t wait for your teen to be over 18, get them help while you still have the ability and control.
For more information, visit www.helpyourteens.com. In Broward, Dade and Palm Beach County there is also The Children’s Trust that has local resources.
Tags: At Risk Teens, Boot Camps, Parenting, parenting advice, Parenting Blogs, Parenting Tips, Sue Scheff, Teen Help, Troubled Teens, Wilderness Programs, Wits End
Sue Scheff: Parent’s Free Helpline – The Children’s Trust
by Sue Scheff on Jul 18, 2010
During National Make a Difference to Children Month it is a time to recognize and learn more about local resources to assist families that may be struggling or need help parenting their children.
The Children’s Trust Helpline 2-1-1 was established to assist families by educating and bringing awareness to health issues and children that may be having difficulties at home.
As The Children’s Trust moves ahead launching new programs and initiatives, it’s ever more critical to raise awareness – to keep parents and caregivers informed. They are committed to changing the lives of children and families, and are utilizing new and traditional media to communicate our message to those who need to know.
From toddlers to teenagers, The Children’s Trust Helpline has answers and resources for you. Simply dial/press 2-1-1 from any phone and you will have resources to call on.
As more families face losing their homes, loss of jobs, financial difficulties, etc… South Florida is working diligently to help children that need a little extra help. Whether it is finding appropriate daycare or experiencing a teen that is out-of-control, call 2-1-1 for help.
Learn more about The Children’s Trust Helpline by visiting www.thechildrenstrust.org.
Being an educated parent leads to having safer and healthier children.
Tags: Parenting, parenting advice, Parenting Blogs, Parenting Teens, Parenting Tips, Sue Scheff, Teen Help
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