Troubled Teenagers Need Parent’s Recognition
Troubled teenagers appear to have a common complaint. Parents are often surprised to learn that their teens would do a lot to get their attention. Psychologists will say that in some instances, teen age drug abuse is a cry for recognition.
Where are the parents? What are they doing?
The answer will throw you. School counselor Susan Karney explains over at Suite 101.
“I am always astounded by the number of kids who tell me that their parents don’t have time to hang out with them. Not to eat dinner, not to play a hand of cards, not to sit and talk about how their day was. What are the parents doing that is taking up all of their time? The answers vary: talking to their friends on the phone, playing video games, hanging out in chat rooms, watching TV, hanging out at bars. Kids are starving for our attention, and we have to find time in our lives to give it to them. It has to be a priority.”
Playing video games? Hanging out in chat rooms? Parents?
Sorry, but that borders on the inexcusable. Parents who work more than one job or whose careers demand constant travel at least have a valid reason for “having no time”. It would be a tough task to maintain respect for a parents who “hang out” online.
Teens at risk long for inspiration and leadership. Parents can provide both by creating family activities that demonstrate how to extract the best out of life, both in work and at play.
Relevant Tags:creating family, drug abuse, parents, school counselor, teen age drug abuse, teens at risk, troubled teenagers
