Counseling Education

Single Parents Raising Teens: Ways to Handle Problems without Going Insane

Being a good parent is the toughest job in the world and an even tougher job for single parents who have to play the role of both mother and father. Many single parents find it very stressful to raise one or more children on their own. Most single parents have to hold down a full time job, manage the household and provide the right amount of discipline, love and attention. This can seem like an impossible task at times, especially when a parent is dealing with a troubled teen.

Tips for Dealing with Teens

Single parents usually need someone to talk to when their teen misbehaves. Some parents turn to a friend or family member for advice and other parents choose to confide in their girlfriend or boyfriend. Although there is nothing wrong with talking to a trusted partner about difficult issues, it is never a good idea for parents to let the person they are dating talk to their teen about such matters. Teens value their privacy above all else and will not appreciate their parent sharing personal matters with their partner. When teens decide that they cannot trust their parent it creates relationship problems that only make matters worse.

Some parents make the mistake of asking their boyfriend or girlfriend to discipline their teen when they get out of hand. This is never a good idea because it will confuse, upset and anger the child. The parent is the only person who should discipline their child. If a parent is not able to discipline their teen they need to attend parenting classes and counselling sessions to learn how to manage their child effectively.

When Teens Refuse To Obey the Rules

When teens stop listening to their parent and begin making bad choices they can quickly begin ruining their lives. They may start to drink alcohol, use drugs or have unprotected sex with one or more partners. Some self-destructive kids stop going to school and begin stealing things they want or selling drugs to earn fast cash. These out of control teenagers need help in order to change their bad behavior and improve their outlook on life.

Children who refuse to obey household rules may need to enter into a long-term treatment program for troubled teens. Parents can also consider sending their child to a boarding school that provides a highly structured environment and weekly counseling sessions. Boarding schools are a terrific option for teens who are hanging around the wrong sort of people. Parents can visit The Family Compass website to find out more about alternative school options for teenagers.

Boarding Schools for Teens

There are many different boarding schools available for teens that have trouble following rules. These educational institutes provide a high school curriculum as well as after school activities that

keep kids busy. Some boarding schools offer a variety of sports for athletic kids, outdoor activities for teens who love nature and art programs for creative students. Single parents should take the time to research the different alternative school options available to find out which one offers the best curriculum and activities for their teen.

Author Bio: Iris Pulga is a mom to two kids. She writes mostly about parenting topics in http://entrepremom.info and is currently working with The Family Compass â€" the best choice among different alternative school options.