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Dealing with Chilren Behavior

What you do when a child declares war on yourneighborhood, or the entire civilized world?r who goes off the deep end can, withoutrock a lot of boats in the community. Socialdoctors, lawyers, police, and clergy may all bewhile Mom and Dad endure an avalanche—_stration, guilt, and expense.

yourself embroiled in a civil war at home orby a teenager who is making some danger-decisions, you need to keep these principles by the horns. Don't tolerate flagrant disre-:,.-_tructior. of your home or other property, crimi-7. or abuse from one of your children.

Drastic be necessary to keep this type of behavior your family to shreds. Use your allies :ther parents, counselors, clergy, and the- --.ore conservative measures aren't working, -.e.ed to consider informing him that he cannot_-.der your roof if these acts continue. Living at then become a privilege to be earned on --:s, with some critical minimum requirements: s: no booze, no stealing, no sex, and no verbal :al abuse of anyone in the family. , :reeks the law and is arrested, depending on __instances you may need to choose not to bail-as painful as this decision would be. In doing _ .vould have but one purpose: allowing him to experience the brunt of his bad decisions and to cometo his senses.

Don't live with false guilt. Perhaps you have mademistakes (who hasn't?) in raising your prodigal offspring.But even those who work diligently to "bring up a childin the way he should go" (to quote Solomon in thebook of Proverbs) can find themselves in the midst of aparent's nightmare. Each child is an independent beingwith a free will who decides if he will proceed in the"way he should go" or "depart from it." Even this famousverse is not an ironclad guarantee but a statement ofthe way things generally happen.

Don't underestimate the depth of your adolescent'semotions. Serious problems are not "just a phase he'sgoing through," and often disruptive behavior on achild's part is the manifestation of real suffering andinner turmoil. By all means seek professional help, andif possible try to engage your adolescent in the processof determining what type of counselor or programwould be most appropriate in the current situation.

For help, call The New Life Treatment Centers,1-800-NEW LIFE, or a treatment center near you.

Pray without ceasing, and don't give up. Even if you haveto allow him to reap the bitter harvest of his choices,continue praying for his safety and return to sanity. Moreoften than not, even the most die-hard prodigals eventu-ally get tired of the pigsty and trudge home.