Troubled Teens Resources

Teen crisis interventions would certainly not have become the norm if parents , over the years, had not slowly abdicated their power and authority over their own kids. Be it the result of misguided theories espoused by “progressive parenting” pundits or simply by falling for the erroneous teaching that advocates treating children as if they were too fragile for criticism and discipline, parents have become a door mat that their teens carelessly walk on daily.

If you recognize the problem in your own immediate circle of parents, schedule a workshop with Dr. Janet Edgette, “an American psychologist who specializes in adolescent and family counselling.” Be pro-active and take any problems that teens are presenting in your community and tackle it.

“Heather Parker, executive director of AMCAL Family Services, said her organization is constantly “searching for people who have written on the topic of dealing with youth, and parents’ difficulties with youth.

“I knew [Edgette] had written a book [Stop Negotiating with Your Teen: Strategies for Parenting Your Angry, Moody, Manipulative, or Depressed Adolescent] within the last year or so, and when I contacted her she said she does a workshop… And she agreed to come up,” Parker said.”

Edgette counsels parents to take back their ground and assert the authority that teens absolutely need to see expressed in their lives.

“Some of the things [Edgette] is going to be talking about, I think, is very relevant to families… “Most parents we see here have lost their authority as parents. Kids basically don’t listen, do what they want, and are running the household. So she’s really going to give parents some strategies on how to regain control again,” she said. “Especially for those who feel they are being held hostage in their own home by some angry teenager.”

Parker said a major issue AMCAL social workers and therapists encounter is parents seem to have “abdicated” their authoritative role.”
(Source)