What is the definition of crisis?
A situation in which a youth’s behavior gets to the point that the parent, caregiver, or other community person feels that the youth may require help in ways they aren’t able to provide and outside assistance is needed.
“She’s the comedian of the family and your little sunshine girl. She may be a bit older now, but you’ll always remember her as your helper in the kitchen. You’ve noticed the late nights and grades slipping, but never thought that she’d be addicted to drugs. But here you are, and now you find yourself wondering, where do we go from here?”
We know that being in this position as a parent or caregiver can be frightening, to say the least. But we’ve seen countless families come in for help through C.A.R.E.S. and we can honestly say that we believe there’s hope for you too. If you’ve ever found yourself in a position similar to the one above, you’re not alone. The question we often hear is:
What should I be doing as a Parent or Guardian?
Establish a routine.
Whether it’s Sunday night dinners, or a consistent ride to school in the morning, something as small as a routine will show that you are always there.
Know their friends.
When you’re aware of who they’re spending their time with, it’s much easier to stay involved from a distance.
Create a positive environment.
When your home is a happy place to come to, your teen is much more likely to feel confident in themselves, and their decisions.
Adolescence can be challenging, especially when signs of trouble could be hidden. As a parent, it’s difficult to know when to step in and how. Remember, if your child is ever in need of help beyond what you think you can give- call our C.A.R.E.S. team today. Here at Spectrum, we are committed to giving real help, from real people, who really care. Sometimes, the best thing you can do for your teenager is to ask for help.
Click here for more information on our C.A.R.E.S. team, or call 716.882.4357 if you or a loved one could benefit from talking with a member of our team.
