Boot Camps – Pros and Cons for Parents of Troubled Teens
With the number of parents of troubled teens continuing to rise, a variety of boot camps has been developed over the years. Most parents immediately think of the hardcore boot camps first offered to parents of rebellious teens back in the 1970s. While these camps still exist, for parents that find it too difficult to send their child to a place such as this, other types of boot camps exist that are not as regimented and strict. While the strategies vary, the concept is the same – getting struggling teens to stop destructive behavior.
Typically, boot camps such as this are used as a last resort when more conventional parenting help has failed. In other words, if parents of a troubled teen have tried everything to include communication, taking the car keys away, no longer dishing out spending money, etc as a means of getting the teen to stop acting out, lying, stealing, doing drugs or alcohol, and so on but without success, boot camp would be another option to consider.
Most boot camps for rebellious teens last anywhere from 20 to 40 days. While there, teens are pushed physically, mentally, and emotionally as a way of getting them to break. While this might sound harsh, the truth is that struggling teens cannot begin to learn and grown until they have hit rock bottom. However, these boot camps also work to build teenagers up again by showing them the destruction of their ways, providing tools/strategies to deal with challenges of life, and ways to gain a new sense of self-esteem and confidence.
Parents of troubled teens would have the option of choosing from a short-term boot camp or a long-term boot camp. Boot camps that only last 20 days are created for teenagers that have only minor issues. In this case, behavioral issues might be related to low self-image, feeling lonely, or acting out because of sibling rivalry. On the other hand, a long-term boot camp is for teens with more serious issues, perhaps drug and/or alcohol abuse, chronic depression, self mutilation such as cutting, or it could be that the teen was ordered to go by the court. Generally, teens going to long-term boot camp are recommended to go through follow-up counseling once the camp is over.
Parents are naturally protective over their children, which is why sending a troubled teen off to boot camp is a tough decision. However, parents need to realize that nothing has helped so far and if their child continues on his or her destructive path, many horrific things could happen. Therefore, spending a month or more at boot camp is a small price to pay for saving the child. Parents of troubled teens also need to remember that their child is being given a new lease on life by being taught better communication skills, methods of setting and achieving goals, respecting others, and much more.
Boot camps have helped many struggling teens turn their lives around and although parents typically feel like failures or that they are being mean to their child, the truth is they are showing their child just how much they love them. Parents that do not care about their children would never even considering sending their struggling teen to boot camp for help while parents that love unconditionally will do anything it takes to give their child the best chance at life, even if it involves teenage boot camp.
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