One of the most perplexing issues a parent faces is how to determine if their child is at risk for such behaviors as drug/alcohol abuse, school failure, violence, depression, self-destructive behavior, or suicide.
Judge Glenda Hatchett is considered an expert when it comes to troubled teens and says there are warning signs parents can watch for to tell whether or not their teen is heading in the wrong direction, with the end result being juvenile court or a worse situation later in life.
Her advice to parents includes the following:
Do not compare your child’s behavior to anyone else’s, not even another one of your children’s.
Respond immediately if you believe your child is at risk.
Don’t overreact to one isolated incident, but don’t minimize series of seemingly unconnected issues like sleeping, depression, disrespect, lying, and mood swings.
Seek professional help if your child is not responding to whatever methods you’re using to intervene, especially if the child is saying “suicide.”
She also lists the following signs that a teenage student may be in trouble:
Abandoned friends for new questionable peers.
Sudden drop in school performance.
Extreme mood swings.
Lying about whereabouts.
Mysterious financial changes.
(from MSNBC)
Do you do anything to help parents understand and respond appropriately to adolescence? What methods do you use to help parents tow the line between avoidance and overreaction to their teenager’s behavioral issues?
